Here are 13 great pendants to update your kitchen for 2022. New lights hanging over your island can be a nice and relatively simple refresh.
There is a summary of the 13 light fixtures towards the end of the post! Along with some things to consider like maintenance, size, placement and finishes.
Maintaining Pendants To Update Your Kitchen Cleanliness
If you cook often, clear glass pendants can be harder to keep clean with steam and cooking oils.
But if you like the glass look, it’s worth the effort to keep clean…and you may consider a frosted of seeded glass option.
Size of Your Island Hanging Lights
You will want to get the right scale considering the size of your island. Two larger pendants or three medium pendants may work for you.
Circa Lighting Spacing Tips
Below is a guideline from Circa Lighting.
Using a template and holding it over the island (even if the island is not installed yet) is useful to “eyeball” the scale.
Colors And Finishes
Mixing metals can be a good thing…along with adding texture.
You may also like: 20 GREAT NEW BAR STOOLS TO UPDATE YOUR LOOK.
13 Great Pendants to Update Your Kitchen
Note that most of these have options to select such as size, color, finish or glass.
Hi Mary Ann
What a great roundup. I love the Mark Sikes pendants (though they would never work for me). I have my eye on those for Colin and Lauren when they renovate their kitchen. I too am on the hunt for pendant lights in our new kitchen. I like the Suzanne Kasler ones and have them on my list of favorites!! Can’t wait to see you work your magic on your new home. You are so going to enjoy having outdoor space. I bet Howard already has a bbq ordered!
Any advice on selecting the best light for a foyer?
Hi Mary Ann,
I need new pendants over my kitchen sink. One of the three thick frosted glass shades fell off somehow and crashed onto my marble counter. Smithereens, and replacement shades aren’t available anymore ugh. So, I’ll use this as an opportunity to update! I haven’t had any luck finding exactly what I like but your choices are so good! Maybe some of these come in smaller sizes that would work for my installation.
Thanks for doing the homework for me!
Xo Heidi
Hello Mary Ann,
Thank you for your comments on the Ukraine situation. I cannot even imagine the horrors they are experiencing and they are in my prayers.
As far as lighting goes, I have two large seeded pendants over our working island. It isn’t a big deal to keep them clean and I love the timeless look. I do, however, love number one in black. Casual yet elegant at the same time and most certainly would go with any decor. I’m sure whatever you choose for your new home will be fantastic. Congratulations on starting a new chapter, or second chapter I guess!
Thank you for all the effort you put into CCH, love seeing it in my In Box.
Linda
Thanks, Linda! I think the seeded glass helps. In fact, in the photo with the template example…we ordered the seeded glass option!
Thank you for a wonderful article and congratulations on your new home! I know it will be beautiful. Ukraine is also in my daily intentions.
Thanks so much, Meredyth!
Mary Ann thank you for the lovely selection of light fixtures. I have renovated three kitchens with islands and not one did I use pendant lights. All have pot lights. My islands are big working spaces ( uppers and lower cabinets back to back) so no stools, no sinks or range tops. I find pendants create too much shadow and they mess up site lines. My issue is when I am working I want bright lighting from the ceiling but if I am eating I want the light lower, think chandelier height.If the island is eat/work area then pendants can lend great style and if on dimmers they can add to the atmosphere but I think I’ll keep my pendants over the table.
I think that is why most people like pendants and recessed lights as a combination… Lots of people like to eat at the island so pendants are like chandeliers. In fact, I used an iron chandelier over our island in Newport Beach. You must be a great chef with all that elbow room at your island!
I feel exactly the same way about the war in Ukraine. It breaks my heart and that something like this is happening in the 21 century is beyond belief.
On a happier note, congratulations on you new home in Florida. I’m so excited for you because I know once you add your amazing decor touches, it’s going to be so wonderful. You will have so much fun with this project and I can’t wait to see how you work your magic!
Happy St. Patrick’s day!
Thanks, Gail! You have such a good heart…I know it is hurting for Ukraine.
Dear Mary Ann,
Peace and blessings as you make your Florida home your own.
I’m very partial to the Pembry because it will bring texture and soften the other surfaces. Would just one centered work? The texture could be carried throughout the rooms.
Looking forward to sharing the results of your creativity,
Diney on Camano Island
I’m definitely going to have bamboo and rattan in the new house, Diney!
I would pick clear glass if you have a pretty view over your island to windows. Seeded glass is beautiful. Otherwise my favourite is #5. I love the shape and touch of gold. Classic & elegant! I think the wicker ones are very beachy & casual and will date fast. Just my thoughts, Mary Ann. Congratulations on your new second home!
You make excellent points, Joanna. Thank you!!
I so agree with you about saying Happy anything now while the war is raging.
I do want to congratulate you both on purchasing a second home in Florida. It’s so wonderful that you will be close to family and friends.
It will be such a welcome change for you.
I continue to pray for Peace.
I know, Katherine. It’s so pervasive, our worry. Even in my daughter’s (she’s visiting) and my dreams.
The backyard isn’t huge in Florida…but Chief will love it. I will like being able to walk to the ocean!
What a great selection of pendants. Your point about cleaning glass pendants makes sense (why make things more difficult for yourself?).
Welcome to Florida! Perhaps when you’re done with your new home I can corral you into helping me with mine.
I’d love that, Brenda!
I like number 4 – the black will add a nice contrast to your room. I like the shape of this one best and it looks like a good size for your island. The gold edge adds another level of “polish” to the light, too. The light colored ones are lost against the light background in your kitchen.
Good points. I like all of them. My husband likes the black too.
Wow those are all so great. Right now if you want the lights to stand out the dark would be the choice.it’s the first thing I noticed against the light colors. If you want the lights to blend in I’d chose the lighter shade colors.
I think it will be easier after some painting and with some of our furniture there. Thanks for commenting