Matt

The best light for kitchens can vary depending on the size and layout of the kitchen and the amount of natural light that the kitchen receives. In general, however, certain lights work best in kitchen environments.



When choosing light fixtures for a kitchen, it is important to consider the size of the kitchen and the amount of natural light it receives.



The 6 Best Kitchen Lights in 2022



Rating Summary



We get into the nitty-gritty below, but if you are keen to see our opinions summarised on a handy table, here you go! We&#8217;ve considered Energy efficiency, looks, and, of course, price.



Starlight Ceiling SpotlightTenso LED Pendant&nbsp;Intreccio ChandelierRGB LED StripRust brown wall light FriedaPaulmann URailEnergyEfficiency5/55/53/54/52/54/5Looks4/54.5/55/52/54/55/5Price4.5/54.5/53/54/53.5/53/5Overall %4.33/5 (87%)4.66/5(93%)3.66/5(73%)3.33/5(67%)3.16(63%)4/5(80%)



Spotlights



Spotlights are great at providing directional light and can be used to highlight specific areas in a kitchen. Usable anywhere in the house, they are particularly popular in the kitchen. They are very energy-efficient when fitted with LED bulbs, making them a great choice for those looking to save on their energy bills. However, spotlights can be difficult to install, and changing bulbs can also be tricky. If you&#8217;re looking for a simple recessed spotlight, check out the Diall Nickel Effect Non-adjustable Downlight from B&amp;Q or the Asterion Satin Chome effect spotlight if you&#8217;re looking for budget options for installing spotlights.




Buy spotlights now




Our favourite ceiling spotlight is the&nbsp;Starlight ceiling spotlight. The Starlight is suitable for use either on its own, for task or accent lighting, or as part of a collection of lights to provide general lighting. This product features a replaceable internal reflector so you can choose between a white or gold reflector &#8211; the gold will provide a warm glow compared to the white.



You can install a 50 Watt equivalent GU10 light bulb for energy usage of 3-9W per bulb, which scores it a 5/5 for energy efficiency. The Starlight looks great, with a clean cylindrical body, though its presence won&#8217;t suit everybody &#8211; 4/5. Finally, at under £45, the Starlight is an affordable piece of kit, even if you decide to add several of them to a room. We rate it a 4.5/5 on cost.







Pendants



Pendants are the traditional light fixture you&#8217;ll have seen through most houses, but they have been less common in the past. They are a single light suspended from the ceiling by a cord or chain. Pendants can be used to provide task lighting, ambient lighting, or accent lighting, making them a versatile choice for any kitchen. They are relatively easy to install and offer a wide range of designs to modern choose from, meaning you can find the perfect pendant for your kitchen. Be sure to check out the Stylish pendant light Embla or the Forestier Anemos L hanging light as examples of what is possible.




Buy pendant lights now




If you opt for a standard pendant, you&#8217;ll most likely install an LED bulb, an energy-efficient option for lighting up your kitchen. However, some pendants, like the&nbsp;Tenso LED pendant lamp with dimmer, opt to meld other technologies, such as an LED strip in this case.



While there is a great deal of choice in the market for pendant lights, our favourite right now has to be the&nbsp;Tenso LED pendant lamp with dimmer. Unlike most pendant lights, The Tenso is equipped with an LED strip. This gives the Tenso an A+ energy rating. It is also very bright, and the LEDs are long-lasting. For that reason, we&#8217;re giving it 5/5 for efficiency. It looks fabulous, in a very modern manner, and at just £120, it scored well on both looks and price, 4.5/5 for each.



Chandeliers



Chandeliers provide a luxurious feel to any room and can be used to create an elegant ambience in the kitchen. Truthfully, they are a variant on the pendant light, but due to their increased size, the number of lights, and overall weight, they are often considered separate. They are often used as accent lighting and, as such, are often fitted with dimmer switches so that they can be adjusted to create the perfect lighting for any occasion. Chandeliers can be tricky to install, primarily due to their additional weight, so it is best to get a professional to do it for you. Once installed, they are relatively easy to maintain and offer a wide range of designs. Be sure to look at the 8-light chandelier Caleb in a country house style or the Sala Six Bulb Chandelier if you&#8217;re seeking inspiration.




Buy chandeliers now




For us, the best chandelier on the market right now is the&nbsp;Intreccio 8-bulb chandelier. Of course, what works in one home will vary when compared to another for something so style specific. But with its ribbons of gold interweaving through the otherwise snow-white metal framework, it&#8217;s a sight to behold and would fit into any homes that have used white or creams as their central colour scheme. 5/5 for looks. As a large chandelier, it is much more expensive than many other light types, but it is still priced very favourably compared to other chandeliers. You should consider this if you&#8217;ve decided to go with a chandelier. 3/5 on price. As for energy, while each bulb is 40W since you&#8217;ll use them 8 at a time, we&#8217;ve got to knock a couple of points off.



LED Strips



LED strips are a relatively new type of lighting that has become increasingly popular in recent years. They are long, thin strips of LEDs that can be used to provide task lighting, ambient lighting, or accent lighting. One of their greatest strengths is that you can remotely adjust the brightness and colour of the strip, letting you change up the mood of a room at the touch of a button. They are very easy to install and offer a wide range of designs to choose from. Be sure to check out the&nbsp;Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus.



However, as cool as the Hue is, we know many people want to experiment and play with LED strips before committing to large investments. You can&#8217;t do much better than the&nbsp;500cm RGB LED strip&nbsp;with remote control, with app or voice command (with Google Home or Amazon Echo). 5m should be long enough for most owners to light the underside of their kitchen cabinets.,



In terms of looks, it&#8217;s a basic RGB light strip, so it&#8217;s functional rather than attractive, but that&#8217;s true for pretty much any light strip. It&#8217;s not about the look of the strip but how you use the light to enhance your room. We&#8217;ll give it a 2/5 for looks, but your use of it is sure to be 5/5! At 5m long, the price is great (4/5), and its energy efficiency is also good, though it starts to add up if you use long or multiple strips.



Wall Lights



Wall lights (or wall sconces) are a great way to add ambient lighting to a room and can be used to highlight specific areas in a kitchen. They are very easy to install and offer a wide range of designs to choose from. Generally, they won&#8217;t be sufficient to light a room evenly by themselves, but combined with other types of light, they can be very effective for placing either side of a door.



As with pendant lights, there is a huge supply of available options, but for us, the best results in the kitchen would come from adjustable lights, like the Chrome-plated wall light or the Stylish wall light Rider.




Buy wall lights now




Our favourite in this category is the&nbsp;Rust brown wall light Frieda, which has an industrial yet vintage flair. It is a bit more expensive than some of the other lights on this list, but its quality and style are undeniable. 4/5 for looks and 3.5/5 for price. With just one E14 bulb, energy consumption is a strong contender for winning the energy efficiency section until you consider that this light will only form part of an overall lighting solution. Given their mounting positions, even a pair of these can only go so far &#8211; 2/5.



Track Lighting







Track lighting is surprisingly simple to install and offers a lot of versatility regarding how you light your kitchen. As the name suggests, track lighting involves a system of tracks mounted to the ceiling, with lights that can be moved and positioned along the track. This gives you a lot of flexibility regarding where you place your lights and how you aim them.




Buy track lighting now




There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing track lighting. Firstly, make sure you choose a system compatible with the type of light bulbs you want to use. Secondly, pay attention to the length of the track &#8211; you will need enough track to cover the area you want to light, plus some extra for positioning the lights.



When you buy a track light, you are buying into a system. Everything must be compatible and from the same manufacturer, from the rails, fittings, and light heads. Sticking with one system is important because it ensures that everything works together seamlessly and makes replacements easy, should you need them.



The best track lighting system we&#8217;ve found is the&nbsp;Paulmann URail system. The tracks are slimmer than most and have options in both chrome and white. There are many different light head types, such as&nbsp;this,&nbsp;this, and&nbsp;this, plus many more. You can add a&nbsp;Zigbee module&nbsp;to make the system operable by smart home systems.



There is a lot to like about track lighting. It looks good, gives great and versatile light coverage, and can be changed from time to time by swapping the heads. Its only real downside is the cost to set it up. Looks &#8211; 5/5, Energy efficiency &#8211; 4/5 thanks to energy efficient bulbs, and price &#8211; 3/5.



Fluorescent strips



Many older houses have older T12 or T8 light fittings in them. The T12 bulb is no longer available on the market, and the T8 is becoming increasingly difficult to find as households change to more on-trend lighting fixtures. These days, the new standard is LED, but some great fluorescent options are still available.



Fluorescent light comes in two basic types, linear (strip) and circular (tube). Both have their pros and cons. Linear (strip) fluorescent has a higher output per than the circular (tube) kind but is also more expensive.



We don&#8217;t offer any fittings for these bulb types, but if you&#8217;re looking for a place to find bulbs, we&#8217;ve got you covered here; head over to&nbsp;our fluorescent bulb section.



How we selected and reviewed the products



With over 1,000,000 products on our website, we selected the light fittings that caught our eye in either a practical or attractive manner. In our pendant category alone, we have almost 3500 products, so if the products we&#8217;ve picked out don&#8217;t suit your kitchen plans, you can be sure that we can show you something that will suit your needs.



What type of light is best in a small kitchen?



In terms of small kitchen lighting ideas, it is often best to use bright, overhead light fixtures in small kitchens to make the kitchen feel larger. If the small kitchen does not have a lot of natural light, it is also important to consider the effect shadows will have when working in the kitchen. You can use task lighting to minimize shadows in the kitchen, helping you to ensure that you can work safely with sharp tools when preparing food. Traditionally this has been achieved with fluorescent T12 and T8 light fixtures, which provide ample light to work with, albeit in rather unpleasant green-tinge. The best kitchen lighting for small kitchen areas currently tends toward recessed spotlights, thanks to their discreet design. We suggest that for low kitchen ceiling lighting ideas, you should avoid pendants and chandeliers and instead stick to recessed lighting or track lighting with small heads.



What are the best galley kitchen lighting ideas?



Lighting for galley kitchen areas should be designed to provide even light throughout the kitchen without creating shadows that make it difficult to work. In a galley kitchen, task lighting is particularly important, as countertops tend to be overshadowed by cupboards and have limited natural light. Recessed spotlights or track lighting are often the most practical options for galley kitchen lighting.



What type of light is best in a large kitchen?



Larger kitchens often have plenty of natural light, thanks to multiple windows. In these cases, it is best to take advantage of the natural light by using light fixtures that complement the sunlight. Ironically, they also have the most to offer in terms of wall and ceiling space, allowing you to experiment with a wider range of lighting solutions. Chandeliers, for example, look stunning in large kitchens with high ceilings.



Conclusion



When choosing the best lighting for your kitchen, there is a lot to consider. However, we hope this article has given you some ideas about the different types of light fixtures available and how you can use them to create the perfect lighting solution for your needs. If you&#8217;re still unsure what kind of light fixture is best for your kitchen, our team of experts would be more than happy to help; contact us, and we&#8217;ll be happy to offer our advice.



FAQs



What kind of lighting is best for a kitchen? The answer to that lies entirely in your tastes. There are more than 7 types of light fitting and thousands of products within each type. The best way to find what you&#8217;re looking for is to browse our website or contact us if you need help finding the perfect light fixture for your kitchen.  What is the best light for a kitchen ceiling? The best light for a kitchen ceiling provides an even, bright light throughout the kitchen. You can achieve this with various light fixtures, including chandeliers, recessed spotlights, and track lighting.  Is soft white or daylight better for kitchen? Soft (warm) light tends to be best used for areas of relaxation. For kitchen work, you want the most neutral daylight-balanced light you can obtain. Daylight balance bulbs (around 3500 Kelvin) will help you to see colours accurately as you&#8217;re working and help with safety when handling sharp implements.  How bright should a kitchen light be? You will want your light to be bright enough to allow you to work safely in the kitchen but not so bright that it is uncomfortable to work. We would suggest a minimum of 300 lumens for task lighting in the kitchen. The best lighting for dark kitchen spaces is to raise the ambient as much as possible and then use task lighting under the upper cabinets to illuminate the countertops. LED light strips are particularly good at this.  




MattMatt is a professional copywriter and researcher over at https://sucklessatcontent.com/. When he can be prised away from his PC, his wife enjoys setting him DIY tasks around the house.

The best light for kitchens can vary depending on the size and layout of the kitchen and the amount of natural light that the kitchen receives. In general, however, certain lights work best in kitchen environments.

What is the best light for kitchens?


<p>There are so many different <a href="https://buildiro.com/magazine/7-practical-ceiling-lights-that-you-need-to-know-about/">types of lights</a> available on the market. Pendant lights are just one of them. They’re relatively easy to add or swap out, but ideally, you need to know how to install a pendant light <em>before</em> attempting it.</p>



<p>So if this is your first attempt, then we&#8217;ve written the most straightforward but comprehensive guide.</p>



<h2>What Are Pendant Lights?</h2>



<p>Let&#8217;s first make sure we&#8217;re talking about the right kind of lighting.</p>



<p>Pendant lights are probably the most common type of room lighting, built as standard in most houses, they&#8217;re not complex, so they&#8217;re relatively easy to add or swap out.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="7190" height="4900" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/buildiro-web-app.appspot.com/1/2022/07/pexels-max-vakhtbovych-7061666.webp" alt="pendant light install" class="wp-image-3366"/></figure>



<p>There are different types of pendant lights, but the most common is the hanging light. It&#8217;s designed to be suspended from the ceiling by a wire or chain and has a shade that hangs down, made in various designs and materials, such as glass, metal framed with fabric and others.</p>



<p>Pendant lights can be used as your main source of light in a room or as accent lighting. They can be hung in a line over a countertop as task lighting, or a cluster over a dining room table. But at minimum, you&#8217;re likely to find one situated around the centre of the ceiling area.</p>



<h2>Safety First When Installing Pendant Lights</h2>



<p>When discussing how to install a pendant light, it would be remiss of us not to urge<a href="https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/fuseboxes-explained/"> </a><a href="https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/fuseboxes-explained/">safety</a> when installing any kind of lighting in your home.</p>



<p>The first thing to ensure is that you&#8217;ve turned off the power to your circuit breaker. You can identify which breaker controls the power to your light by flipping all the breakers off until you find the one that cuts power to the light in question.</p>



<p>Needless to say, If you don&#8217;t feel confident or comfortable installing the light yourself, please consult with a professional electrician.</p>



<p>With the power now shut off, you can start to work on how to install your pendant light.</p>



<p>There are two reasons why you are looking at how to install a pendant light. Either to replace an existing one or to install a new one completely. Simply changing the pendant light has fewer steps, so we&#8217;re going to go through both.</p>



<h2>Tools Required for Pendant Light Installation</h2>



<p>Most pendant lights come with all the necessary hardware for installation, but it&#8217;s always best to check you have what you need before you start.</p>



<p>You&#8217;ll need a few tools, for a basic set to cover most tasks, these include:</p>



<ul><li><a href="https://buildiro.com/product/3253560825669/Stanley-Intelli-Tools-Fatmax-Led-Voltage-Tester">Voltage tester</a></li><li><a href="https://buildiro.com/category/workwear-ladders-and-equipment-ladders-step-ladders">Ladder – if working at height</a></li><li><a href="https://buildiro.com/category/tools-hand-tools-screwdrivers-and-hex-keys-mains-testers">Suitable size and type Screwdriver</a></li><li><a href="https://buildiro.com/category/electrical-and-ventilation-electrical-cable-connectors-terminal-block">Wire stripper</a></li></ul>



<h2>How to Install a Pendant Light</h2>



<p>With the safety aspect in mind and having the right equipment, let&#8217;s get started. Here&#8217;s a step-by-step guide on how to install pendant lights:</p>



<p><strong>NOTE: If you&#8217;re swapping out an existing pendant light, then you can skip to step 5</strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/buildiro-web-app.appspot.com/1/2022/07/shutterstock_1953310543.webp" alt="install pendant light" class="wp-image-3367"/></figure>



<ol type="1"><li>Start by finding the centre of the room and mark it on the ceiling. This will usually be where you install the pendant light.</li><li>Use a voltage tester to check that the wires in the ceiling are safe to work with.</li><li>Once you&#8217;ve confirmed it&#8217;s safe to proceed, use a ladder (or step stool) to reach the ceiling.</li><li>Locate the wires that will power the pendant light. You may need to use a tool like a coathanger to help locate them.<br><br><strong>If you&#8217;re swapping out an existing pendant light, then you can unscrew, remove the existing one, and begin with the following step.</strong><br><br></li><li>Where required, strip the end of the wire using a wire stripper. This will expose the bare wire, which you&#8217;ll need to connect to the pendant light.</li><li>Take the pendant light and connect each bare wire to the corresponding terminal. Make sure the connection is tight so that there is no risk of electrical shock.<br><br><strong>NOTE:</strong> Manufacturers usually add a symbol to any junction box to help when installing pendant lights. To wire the pendant light, connect the brown (live) core to the terminal marked ‘L’ or ‘Line’. Connect the blue (neutral) core to the terminal marked ‘N’ or ‘Neutral’. Finally, connect the yellow/green (earth) core to the terminal.<br><br>In older wired properties, wiring colours used to be green/yellow (or bare wire) for Earth. Red to denote a live wire and black (or blue) for the neutral wire.<br><br></li><li>Once the pendant light is connected, as a double check, gently pull on the cord to make sure it&#8217;s secure. If it feels loose, tighten the connection. Ensure all connector units are secure and that no bare wires are visible.</li><li>Hang the pendant light from the ceiling using the provided hardware. Make sure the pendant light is securely in place before turning on the power. If replacing an existing pendant light, try to use existing fixing holes where possible.</li><li>Once the power is turned on, test the pendant light by turning the mains power back on and flipping the switch. If it doesn&#8217;t turn on, turn off the mains power again, then check the connection and make sure the power is properly turned on.</li><li>If the pendant light <em>still</em> won&#8217;t activate, then go back to an appropriate step and work through them again.</li></ol>



<h2>How to Replace a Pendant Light &#8211; Pro Hints and Tips</h2>



<ul><li>If you do not see an earth wire in your ceiling connections, then do not install a metallic pendant light fitting such as brass or silver. This will potentially pass a live current into the entire light fitting.</li><li>In case you need to refer back to the previous installation, take a picture of any current installation for later reference.</li><li>For installing a new pendant light, ensure you use a multi-detector to locate a suitable joist in the ceiling to attach it to.</li><li>You will need a secure surface to which you can screw or nail the pendant light bracket.</li><li>Ensure all power is turned off at your consumer unit before commencing work. Use a tester to double-check that it is safe to work on the wiring.</li><li>Where you need to add or refresh pendant light mounting holes, use an appropriate drill bit for the downlight you are installing. You do not want multiple unsightly or loose holes in the ceiling.</li><li>If you&#8217;re confident the process has been accomplished correctly, try swapping out the bulb to see if it has blown during the procedure.</li><li>If in any doubt, seek professional assistance from a qualified electrician.</li></ul>



<h2>How to Install Multiple Pendant Lights</h2>



<p>Pendant lights can brighten any area as a standard default light setup. But what if you need more light in your open lounge area, or are creating <a href="https://buildiro.com/magazine/what-are-the-creative-lighting-designs-perfect-for-the-kitchen/">design-inspired lighting spaces for your kitchen</a>? How do you go about installing more than one?</p>



<p>Here are a few tips on how to install multiple pendant lights:</p>



<ul><li>Use a light meter to determine how much light is needed in the space. This will help you determine how many pendant lights to use and where to place them.</li><li>When installing multiple pendant lights, look to style the space by staggering the heights so that the light is evenly distributed.</li><li>Ensure you locate each pendant light within a ceiling joist.</li><li>Use different types of bulbs to add variety and interest to the space. You can also use different coloured cords or chains to further customize your pendant lights.</li><li>Pendant lights can be added by creating Y connectors to the main cables in the ceiling. But check the gauge of wires can handle the extra draw of power, and that the fuse connectors are sufficient to handle the additional load on the fuse box.</li></ul>



<p>With these tips in mind, installing multiple pendant lights is a breeze!</p>



<h2>FAQ</h2>



<div class="schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block"><div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1658479262544"><strong class="schema-faq-question">Can You Install a Pendant Light Yourself?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">The quick answer is, yes. Following a few simple safety guidelines, a few basic tools, and a broad understanding of electrical wiring means you should be able to complete the task in under an hour.  But as with any electrical work in your home, if you are unsure, consult a professional electrician.<br/>Check the list of tools highlighted above to make sure you can complete the task. Follow the steps as laid out above and always follow safety guidelines.</p> </div> <div class="schema-faq-section" id="faq-question-1658479279703"><strong class="schema-faq-question">How Do You Attach Pendant Lights to a Ceiling?</strong> <p class="schema-faq-answer">In general, adding a pendant light to the ceiling is a fairly simple process. In most properties, there is often a standard single ceiling light fixing point available, usually with an existing light fitting (often called a rose) already in place.<br/>For safety and stability, the pendant fitting, also known as the “rose”, must be fitted with at least two appropriate screws into the main joist above the ceiling’s plasterboard. Screws must also be suitable for the weight of the pendant light you plan to add.<br/>Securing to the plasterboard alone, while possible, is not recommended as the plasterboard is not designed to be weight bearing.<br/>Locate a suitable joist from above the ceiling where possible, or use an appropriate meter to locate the joist to avoid potentially drilling numerous explorative holes. Then, position the pendant holder so that the screws align with the joint and are securely fixed in place.<br/>Most often, there is a bracket which is initially fixed, and then, the ceiling rose is placed over or screwed to the bracket.</p> </div> </div>



<p></p>
<div class="saboxplugin-wrap" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" itemscope itemprop="author"><div class="saboxplugin-tab"><div class="saboxplugin-gravatar"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/buildiro-web-app.appspot.com/1/2022/07/Screenshot-2022-07-21-at-18.00.42.png" width="100"  height="100" alt="" itemprop="image"></div><div class="saboxplugin-authorname"><a href="https://buildiro.com/magazine/author/luke/" class="vcard author" rel="author" itemprop="url"><span class="fn" itemprop="name">Matt</span></a></div><div class="saboxplugin-desc"><div itemprop="description"><p>Matt is a professional copywriter and researcher over at <a href="https://sucklessatcontent.com/">https://sucklessatcontent.com/</a>. When he can be prised away from his PC, his wife enjoys setting him DIY tasks around the house.</p>
</div></div><div class="clearfix"></div></div></div>

There are so many different types of lights available on the market. Pendant lights are just one of them. They’re relatively easy to add or swap out, but ideally, you need to know how to install a pendant light before attempting it.



So if this is your first attempt, then we&#8217;ve written the most straightforward but comprehensive guide.



What Are Pendant Lights?



Let&#8217;s first make sure we&#8217;re talking about the right kind of lighting.



Pendant lights are probably the most common type of room lighting, built as standard in most houses, they&#8217;re not complex, so they&#8217;re relatively easy to add or swap out.







There are different types of pendant lights, but the most common is the hanging light. It&#8217;s designed to be suspended from the ceiling by a wire or chain and has a shade that hangs down, made in various designs and materials, such as glass, metal framed with fabric and others.



Pendant lights can be used as your main source of light in a room or as accent lighting. They can be hung in a line over a countertop as task lighting, or a cluster over a dining room table. But at minimum, you&#8217;re likely to find one situated around the centre of the ceiling area.



Safety First When Installing Pendant Lights



When discussing how to install a pendant light, it would be remiss of us not to urge safety when installing any kind of lighting in your home.



The first thing to ensure is that you&#8217;ve turned off the power to your circuit breaker. You can identify which breaker controls the power to your light by flipping all the breakers off until you find the one that cuts power to the light in question.



Needless to say, If you don&#8217;t feel confident or comfortable installing the light yourself, please consult with a professional electrician.



With the power now shut off, you can start to work on how to install your pendant light.



There are two reasons why you are looking at how to install a pendant light. Either to replace an existing one or to install a new one completely. Simply changing the pendant light has fewer steps, so we&#8217;re going to go through both.



Tools Required for Pendant Light Installation



Most pendant lights come with all the necessary hardware for installation, but it&#8217;s always best to check you have what you need before you start.



You&#8217;ll need a few tools, for a basic set to cover most tasks, these include:



Voltage testerLadder – if working at heightSuitable size and type ScrewdriverWire stripper



How to Install a Pendant Light



With the safety aspect in mind and having the right equipment, let&#8217;s get started. Here&#8217;s a step-by-step guide on how to install pendant lights:



NOTE: If you&#8217;re swapping out an existing pendant light, then you can skip to step 5







Start by finding the centre of the room and mark it on the ceiling. This will usually be where you install the pendant light.Use a voltage tester to check that the wires in the ceiling are safe to work with.Once you&#8217;ve confirmed it&#8217;s safe to proceed, use a ladder (or step stool) to reach the ceiling.Locate the wires that will power the pendant light. You may need to use a tool like a coathanger to help locate them.If you&#8217;re swapping out an existing pendant light, then you can unscrew, remove the existing one, and begin with the following step.Where required, strip the end of the wire using a wire stripper. This will expose the bare wire, which you&#8217;ll need to connect to the pendant light.Take the pendant light and connect each bare wire to the corresponding terminal. Make sure the connection is tight so that there is no risk of electrical shock.NOTE: Manufacturers usually add a symbol to any junction box to help when installing pendant lights. To wire the pendant light, connect the brown (live) core to the terminal marked ‘L’ or ‘Line’. Connect the blue (neutral) core to the terminal marked ‘N’ or ‘Neutral’. Finally, connect the yellow/green (earth) core to the terminal.In older wired properties, wiring colours used to be green/yellow (or bare wire) for Earth. Red to denote a live wire and black (or blue) for the neutral wire.Once the pendant light is connected, as a double check, gently pull on the cord to make sure it&#8217;s secure. If it feels loose, tighten the connection. Ensure all connector units are secure and that no bare wires are visible.Hang the pendant light from the ceiling using the provided hardware. Make sure the pendant light is securely in place before turning on the power. If replacing an existing pendant light, try to use existing fixing holes where possible.Once the power is turned on, test the pendant light by turning the mains power back on and flipping the switch. If it doesn&#8217;t turn on, turn off the mains power again, then check the connection and make sure the power is properly turned on.If the pendant light still won&#8217;t activate, then go back to an appropriate step and work through them again.



How to Replace a Pendant Light &#8211; Pro Hints and Tips



If you do not see an earth wire in your ceiling connections, then do not install a metallic pendant light fitting such as brass or silver. This will potentially pass a live current into the entire light fitting.In case you need to refer back to the previous installation, take a picture of any current installation for later reference.For installing a new pendant light, ensure you use a multi-detector to locate a suitable joist in the ceiling to attach it to.You will need a secure surface to which you can screw or nail the pendant light bracket.Ensure all power is turned off at your consumer unit before commencing work. Use a tester to double-check that it is safe to work on the wiring.Where you need to add or refresh pendant light mounting holes, use an appropriate drill bit for the downlight you are installing. You do not want multiple unsightly or loose holes in the ceiling.If you&#8217;re confident the process has been accomplished correctly, try swapping out the bulb to see if it has blown during the procedure.If in any doubt, seek professional assistance from a qualified electrician.



How to Install Multiple Pendant Lights



Pendant lights can brighten any area as a standard default light setup. But what if you need more light in your open lounge area, or are creating design-inspired lighting spaces for your kitchen? How do you go about installing more than one?



Here are a few tips on how to install multiple pendant lights:



Use a light meter to determine how much light is needed in the space. This will help you determine how many pendant lights to use and where to place them.When installing multiple pendant lights, look to style the space by staggering the heights so that the light is evenly distributed.Ensure you locate each pendant light within a ceiling joist.Use different types of bulbs to add variety and interest to the space. You can also use different coloured cords or chains to further customize your pendant lights.Pendant lights can be added by creating Y connectors to the main cables in the ceiling. But check the gauge of wires can handle the extra draw of power, and that the fuse connectors are sufficient to handle the additional load on the fuse box.



With these tips in mind, installing multiple pendant lights is a breeze!



FAQ



Can You Install a Pendant Light Yourself? The quick answer is, yes. Following a few simple safety guidelines, a few basic tools, and a broad understanding of electrical wiring means you should be able to complete the task in under an hour.  But as with any electrical work in your home, if you are unsure, consult a professional electrician.Check the list of tools highlighted above to make sure you can complete the task. Follow the steps as laid out above and always follow safety guidelines.  How Do You Attach Pendant Lights to a Ceiling? In general, adding a pendant light to the ceiling is a fairly simple process. In most properties, there is often a standard single ceiling light fixing point available, usually with an existing light fitting (often called a rose) already in place.For safety and stability, the pendant fitting, also known as the “rose”, must be fitted with at least two appropriate screws into the main joist above the ceiling’s plasterboard. Screws must also be suitable for the weight of the pendant light you plan to add.Securing to the plasterboard alone, while possible, is not recommended as the plasterboard is not designed to be weight bearing.Locate a suitable joist from above the ceiling where possible, or use an appropriate meter to locate the joist to avoid potentially drilling numerous explorative holes. Then, position the pendant holder so that the screws align with the joint and are securely fixed in place.Most often, there is a bracket which is initially fixed, and then, the ceiling rose is placed over or screwed to the bracket.  




MattMatt is a professional copywriter and researcher over at https://sucklessatcontent.com/. When he can be prised away from his PC, his wife enjoys setting him DIY tasks around the house.

Let's first make sure we're talking about the right kind of lighting.

Pendant lights are probably the most common type of room lighting, built as standard in most houses, they're not complex, so they're relatively easy to add or swap out.

There are different types of pendant lights, but the most common is the hanging light. It's designed to be suspended from the ceiling by a wire or chain and has a shade that hangs down, made in various designs and materials, such as glass, metal framed with fabric and others.

Pendant lights can be used as your main source of light in a room or as accent lighting. They can be hung in a line over a countertop as task lighting, or a cluster over a dining room table. But at minimum, you're likely to find one situated around the centre of the ceiling area.


How to Install a Pendant Light

Andrea

Room designers have free reign when it comes to finding the best lights for bedroom spaces. However, the usage of a bedroom, i.e. whether it is a parent&#8217;s room or a child&#8217;s, typically dictates the best type of lighting to use in the space.



In children&#8217;s spaces, the options tend to veer on the side of functionality, with an overhead pendant light, with a single additional lamp, often on a desk, providing the only light sources other than the window. However, when parents break away from these norms or allow children to make decisions, we increasingly see creative bedroom lamp ideas, LED strips and changing colour bulbs all being explored.



For parents, beyond the main light, there are options for wall sconces, bedside lamps, and floor lamps to provide ample light for reading or other activities. The general guideline is that various light sources at different levels should create an ambient, warm and inviting space.



Here are some great ideas for different types of bedrooms and how to light them perfectly!



1. Recessed lighting complimented with bedside lamps







While some people might prefer the sleek and modern look of recessed lighting in their bedrooms, this fixture can make the room feel smaller and more closed in. If your bedroom already feels small, you may want to try a different type of light. Instead, go for table lamps, floor lamps, or wall sconces to add extra light to the room without making it feel smaller. However, in this large bedroom, the downlights are complemented by clever under-the-bed lighting and simple bedside lamps that create a play of warm lighting.



2. Pendant lights taking the role of bedside lamps







In terms of overhead lighting, pendant lights are a great option as they provide both ambient and task lighting. However, in this fun subversion of regular pendant light usage, a pendant light descends on each side of the bed to act in the capacity of bedside lamps rather than overhead lighting. This is one of the more cool lighting ideas for bedroom themes we&#8217;ve seen lately.



3. Asymmetrical hanging lights add playfulness to the space







In this lush green bedroom, the additional lighting provided by wall-hugging, mid-level pendant lights creates a pool of light over the key sleeping area but creates uneven lighting in the room. The lighting and the matching but different fittings in the room are playful and inviting while providing functional light where needed in a bedroom. Clearly, this is a space intended for one primary task, sleeping rather than studying.



4. Substitutes to the traditional nightstand light







Placing a lamp on the nightstand is a good option, however, the current bedroom lighting trends offer much more than a traditional reading lamp. One popular idea is to hang a pendant light next to the bed’s headboard &#8211; this can make reading in the evening more enjoyable.



FYI: When hanging a ceiling light, it&#8217;s best to position the fixture over the most prominent item in the room, like a bed, instead of directly in the middle of the room. Additionally, be sure to select the appropriate type of light bulbs for the chandelier.



5. Playful strings of light illuminate bare brick







While this room no doubt has other sources of light available, and certainly some sunlight, the exposed brickwork risks creating a very dark space. The owner has tackled this with a playful string of warm lights to highlight texture and warmth in the brickwork while improving the room&#8217;s overall ambience. It also happens to look incredibly cosy!



6. Bedroom chandeliers disrupt the otherwise cool feel of downlights



        View this post on Instagram            A post shared by Chelsey  (@freemanhome) 



Any room can benefit from having a chandelier, regardless of whether the decor is rustic or a much more simplified style like a white bedroom. Chandeliers don&#8217;t always have to be large and glamorous with glass crystals hanging from the ceiling; there are plenty of more contemporary designs, such as globe light designs that will fit perfectly in a mid-century modern space, or beaded chandeliers that provide a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere.



7. With on-bed lighting, there&#8217;s no longer the need to feel around in the dark



source: electrobuilt



The moment your foot touches the floor after getting out of bed, the lights will turn on. This is possible by having an array of illuminated strips and small lamps installed on the underneath of the bed which can sense movement within the area of a carpet placed near the bed. This way, you don&#8217;t have to fumble around in the dark to locate the light switch when you need to go to the bathroom.



8. Incorporate elements from the natural world to add depth to your design



source: studio_vayehi



We enjoy the concept of lighting up a bedroom for an extra dimension. A bedroom should be full of comfortable, welcoming, and tactile items that should not only include the lighting. If you are a fan of a classic bedroom style with plenty of linens and rough fabrics, you can also replicate that in your lampshades.



9. Room with LED strips to make the most of a reflective white ceiling



source: @designerbedroomideas



This fun mix of new and old. With its exposed brick walls and ultra-modern half-false wall that hides a powerful LED strip, we love the mix of themes. Individually an LED light is quite hard, but as a long bank of LED lights, the effect can be incredibly diffuse and soft. As this light is directed up to the ceiling, it bounces from the white paint. This gentle light fills the room effectively. Directional spotlights allow task lighting to be thrown where needed, and another short LED light strip is fitted where the clothing hangs. Very trendy!



10. Large free-standing lamps work with the overhead pendant







This room features a trio of great-looking, free-standing lamps that comfortably illuminate the floors and ceilings of this bedroom. It&#8217;s a great, warm feeling room, with a single overhead pendant that compliments the lamps. This is one of the easiest bedroom lampshade ideas to implement from our list, but while the lighting design is simple to achieve, the results are effective and homely.



11. Don&#8217;t overlook the floor lamp







Bedroom floor lamps provide your bedroom with plentiful illumination, giving it bright corners. These soft lighting sources are ideal for bedrooms and living rooms, creating a pleasant ambiance. They are great for dressing tables as well as seating spaces in the bedroom.



12. Create a gentle atmosphere with fabric-based lighting fixtures







When outfitting a bedroom, you should consider using materials that are pleasant to the touch and visually appealing. Incorporating fabric into your lighting design can help to achieve a romantic, peaceful environment. He believes that fabric shades can impart a classic, lavish look, as well as generate a cozy feeling.



13. Using exposed light bulbs is an easy way to decorate







When considering bedroom lighting, sometimes a single light fixture can be just as impactful as a larger elaborate chandelier. This style of design can easily be incorporated into a variety of styles from industrial to rustic. It is important to select the bulb thoughtfully as an overly bright bulb may be too harsh for the space; choose a tinted LED bulb to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. If possible, opt for a dimmable bulb to provide the flexibility to switch from task lighting to more ambient lighting.



14. Put up a wall light







When considering bedroom illumination, wall lighting should not be forgotten. Downlighters have become particularly fashionable currently and they come in numerous types. Such lighting is great for giving a wall a unique atmosphere and ambiance.



15. Select lighting that is fashionable and oversized







Statement lighting injects an element of surprise and in the case of pendant lights, assists in moving the gaze upwards to give the impression of spaciousness and opulence. The Isma pendant lamp, presenting a contemporary interpretation of a chandelier with its bold, sculptured shape, is ideal for introducing a decorative flair to a white bedroom.



16. Create an impact with a glass lamp







When it comes to bedside lighting, you don&#8217;t have to settle for dull and boring; a glass lamp can help you make a stylish statement while also saving you from having to buy decorative vases! This one here has a neutral colour scheme, while this vibrant design would be perfect in a maximalist room.



17. Natural light in a master bedroom







Ample natural light marks this room as a bright, pleasant place. While two small bedside reading lamps help with lighting to read by in the evening, the natural light can cross through the room, illuminating the adjoining bathroom, thanks to the glass dividing wall. Spotlights in the bathroom and a lighting track on the ceiling help add additional lighting on overcast days or at night.



18. Wooden table lamps can bring a bit of nature to your bedroom







The Trinidad table lamp has a strong focus on simplicity. It features a large cylindrical shade made of bamboo, which is set on three small wooden legs. The bamboo stems are woven together manually to form a mesh, producing delightful light patterns when illuminated. This lamp is perfect for lending a natural atmosphere to the bedroom or living room.



19. Keep your bedroom comfortable with the right spotlights







This mini Jupiter recessed light is outfitted with glaring, comfortable white LEDs that radiate dependably. It is the perfect option for installing in ceilings, making it a great choice for living rooms, hallways, or bedrooms. The LED driver and the necessary cabling are included. The three downlights, with their up-to-date lighting technology, are incredibly energy efficient, and cast a pleasant, warm white glow that creates a cozy atmosphere in any space.



Conclusion



When it comes to bedroom lighting, there are many things to consider. The first thing to think about is the purpose of the room. What do you want to use it for? Do you want it to be a place where you can relax and unwind, or do you need it to be bright and functional for when you&#8217;re getting ready in the morning? Once you know what you want, you can start thinking about the best way to achieve that.



One of the most important things to think about is natural light. If you have a window in your bedroom, make sure you make the most of it. Use lighter colours on the walls and ceiling to reflect as much light as possible. Avoid putting anything in front of the window that will block the light. If you need extra light in the evening, consider adding floor or table lamps or installing recessed lighting.



Of course, none of this is a set of hard and fast rules. Room design is always deeply personal. If you&#8217;re looking for something more creative, why not use wall sconces in unusual locations or LED lights to create a fun and funky effect? Whatever your style, there are plenty of options available to you. So don&#8217;t be afraid to get creative and experiment until you find what&#8217;s right for you.



FAQs



What lighting is best for bedrooms? The bedroom lighting options are as varied as in any other room. You can pick from wall sconces, pendants, recessed spotlights, ceiling-mounted domes, chandeliers, or LED strips. The trick is knowing which one is right for your room.Part of knowing which lighting is best for your bedroom is to understand the creation that you want to make. Will it have functional vibes, like a hotel room, where visitors might need to perform a range of tasks, or cosy like an old farmhouse bedroom, where you&#8217;ll just relax in the bed with a book before sleep? Do you have a personal preference for a minimalist scheme, or are nik-naks and detail that you love most?Once you figure out what you want from the room, designing the right lighting for the space will come easily.  How do I add better lighting to my bedroom? There are two main routes to adding better lighting to your bedroom. Firstly, you could look at your existing fixtures and arrange new light shades on existing pendants, complemented by new floor or table lamps. Doing so is budget-friendly and quick to do. In addition, it gives you the power to change your lighting design every time you paint the walls.For most people, bedroom light fitting ideas can seem like a significant and daunting change, but if you&#8217;re feeling up to the task, you can look at installing an entirely new set of lights. If you are confident with electricity, check out our guide to installing downlights if that&#8217;s the way you&#8217;d like to go. If you&#8217;re unsure, plan what you want, and then ask an electrician to take a look and provide a quote.  How do you light a master bedroom? There is no one answer to this. The master bedroom is your quiet place, where you come to relax, unwind, and lay in repose with any significant others in your life. What suits you is deeply personal. Try to think about spaces you&#8217;ve been in the past, such as hotel rooms, tours of other people&#8217;s homes, etc. What features could you take away from those experiences that felt like you connected with them?Their interpretation of what is cosy will be the desired endpoint for most people. It takes all the bedroom elements, including the blinds, paint, furniture, and lights, to design a place where you want to spend time.  Should you put spotlights in a bedroom? Spotlights come in a variety of types, and some of them give off a very harsh light. For this reason, it&#8217;s crucial to consider your bedroom&#8217;s usage before deciding on spotlights. They can be perfect if you want a space to read or work in. However, spotlights might not be the best option if you&#8217;re looking for a relaxing oasis away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.If you are tempted to add spotlights to a bedroom, we advise making them one part of a multiple-light source strategy. Use bedside lamps to create pools of light, and then use your spotlights to highlight specific areas. Doing this will allow you to change the atmosphere of your bedroom by simply altering which lights you have on.  Is LED light good for bedroom? Yes, LED lights are a good choice for bedrooms. They are energy-efficient, have a long lifespan, and can be adjusted to provide different levels of brightness and color temperatures, which can create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom. Additionally, many LED lights are dimmable, which allows you to adjust the lighting to your personal preferences.  
AndreaAndrea is a garden and DIY enthusiast. She always comes up with great ideas and the latest trends in the interior or outdoor design.

Room designers have free reign when it comes to finding the best lights for bedroom spaces. However, the usage of a bedroom, i.e. whether it is a parent's room or a child's, typically dictates the best type of lighting to use in the space.


19 Bedroom lighting ideas 2023

pendant-lighting &#8211; Buildiro Magazine

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Florence Antique - ornate hanging light

Florence-Antique-Ornate-Hanging-Light

PHEB LED pendant light, white/walnut

Pheb-Led-Pendant-Light-White-Walnut

Lindby Agnisa pendant lamp with a grey socket

Lindby-Agnisa-Pendant-Lamp-With-A-Grey-Socket

Lindby Dexin hanging light, round, 1-bulb

Lindby-Dexin-Hanging-Light-Round-1-Bulb

Lindby Asya hanging light, 1-bulb, wood, chrome

Lindby-Asya-Hanging-Light-1-Bulb-Wood-Chrome

Lindby Asya hanging light, 1-bulb, wood, black

Lindby-Asya-Hanging-Light-1-Bulb-Wood-Black

Lindby Danora hanging light, 1-bulb

Lindby-Danora-Hanging-Light-1-Bulb

Lucande Naoh hanging light 1-bulb white

Lucande-Naoh-Hanging-Light-1-Bulb-White

Lucande Naoh hanging light, one-bulb, black

Lucande-Naoh-Hanging-Light-One-Bulb-Black

Lindby Berral pendant lamp, smoked glass, one-bulb

Lindby-Berral-Pendant-Lamp-Smoked-Glass-One-Bulb

Envolight Yahel hanging lamp, oak/black, Ø 45 cm

Envolight-Yahel-Hanging-Lamp-Oak-Black-45-Cm

Envolight Furn hanging light, birch plywood 1-bulb

Envolight-Furn-Hanging-Light-Birch-Plywood-1-Bulb

Envolight Floj hanging lamp, birch plywood Ø 30 cm

Envolight-Floj-Hanging-Lamp-Birch-Plywood-30-Cm

Envolight Floj hanging lamp, birch plywood Ø 45 cm

Envolight-Floj-Hanging-Lamp-Birch-Plywood-45-Cm

Envolight Mors hanging light, birch plywood 1-bulb

Envolight-Mors-Hanging-Light-Birch-Plywood-1-Bulb

Envolight Faje hanging light, birch plywood 1-bulb

Envolight-Faje-Hanging-Light-Birch-Plywood-1-Bulb

Elstead Everly - 1 Light Small Dome Ceiling Pendant Light Chrome, E27

Elstead-Everly-1-Light-Small-Dome-Ceiling-Pendant-Light-Chrome-E27

Elstead Everly - 1 Light Small Dome Ceiling Pendant Light Bronze, E27

Elstead-Everly-1-Light-Small-Dome-Ceiling-Pendant-Light-Bronze-E27

09diyas - Reyna Single Small Suspension 1 Bulb E27 polished chrome / transparent glass

09diyas-Reyna-Single-Small-Suspension-1-Bulb-E27-Polished-Chrome-Transparent-Glass

1 Light Small Dome Ceiling Pendant Black, Copper, E27 - Spring Lighting

1-Light-Small-Dome-Ceiling-Pendant-Black-Copper-E27-Spring-Lighting

Pop hanging light with metal lampshade anthracite

Pop-Hanging-Light-With-Metal-Lampshade-Anthracite

LE KLINT 101 small, plastic pendant light

Le-Klint-101-Small-Plastic-Pendant-Light

Dyberg Larsen Riflet pendant lamp, glass, Ø 14 cm

Dyberg-Larsen-Riflet-Pendant-Lamp-Glass-14-Cm

Dyberg Larsen DL20 pendant lamp, steel lampshade

Dyberg-Larsen-Dl20-Pendant-Lamp-Steel-Lampshade

Adding pendant lights to your living space enhances its warmth and provides ample flexibility for lighting up your tables. Whether you prefer a vintage or rustic look, these lights can be used as statement pieces that reflect your interior design style. However, hanging them at an appropriate height is crucial to avoid obstructing your view or causing any inconvenience. A recommended standard is to turn them between 80 to 100 centimetres above the table. If you have a height-adjustable light, this can serve as an ideal starting point to be further adjusted to meet your specific requirements.

Small Single Pendant Lighting

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