Pendant Lights

Pendant lamps - Stylish light hanging from the ceiling

A pendant lamp is also known as a "hanging lamp", and it is typically used to hang down from the ceiling, over e.g. a dining table or coffee table.

A pendant lamp is often used in living rooms and kitchens and helps create a pleasant light coming from above, without the light irritating your eyes.

If you are tempted by the thought of having a lamp of this type for the first time in your home or simply lack a brand new pendant lamp, then take your time to explore the exciting selection of pendant lamps on our site here.

9 things you should consider before buying a pendant lamp

If you are unsure what to look for when buying a pendant lamp, we will guide you below.

We can help you with the considerations you can make to ensure you get the best possible purchase.

You can learn more about the different types of pendant lamps and their features, giving you a clearer overview of the selection.

#1 - Types of Pendant Lamps and their characteristics

All lamps can shine, but none of them look the same in appearance, which naturally gives you a multitude of options to get a lamp that matches your overall decor.

All pendant lamps can hang down from the ceiling, but they come in many variations that can provide light from above in many ways, which of course depends on how it matches with the decor of e.g. your living room or kitchen.

The choice of what type of pendant lamp you want will ultimately be up to you to figure out, and the fact that you can base it on the decor can be a good springboard for the purchase decision you will make.

Here are some examples of the types of pendant lamps available on the market:

• Pendant socket without shade. This type of pendant lamp has a simple design and has an adjustable cord, so you can adjust it according to your needs, whether it should hang above your dining table or coffee table. The lamp is essentially just a cable with a socket and does not as such have a shade or anything that covers the light.
• Pendant lamp made of paper. A pendant lamp with a shade made of paper can help create a pleasant atmosphere that fits all cozy moments in e.g. your living room.
• Pendant lamp made of glass. A pendant lamp with a glass shade helps cast beautiful light while also looking elegant. The glass shade is easy to clean as long as you remember to let the lamp cool completely before you do so.
• Industrial pendant lamp. If you prefer pendant lamps that have a rustic touch and you have a home that embraces retro style from the old days, then this kind of pendant lamp will be an obvious purchase for you.
• Long table pendant. It is an elongated lamp that will suit well to be placed over a larger dining table, so it can really provide good light on the entire table, despite its size.
• Tube pendant. This type of pendant lamp is quite in demand in most homes, due to its minimalist design, and it can give a direct good light.

#2 - The right socket/base for Pendant Lamps

Many pendant lamps have a standard E27 socket, which fits the classic light bulbs you most likely already use in many lamps at home.

If you plan to use energy-saving LED bulbs for your upcoming pendant lamp, it is important to check that the bulb fits in the socket of your lamp.

Here are some types of bulbs that can be used for pendant lamps:

• LED bulbs
• Halogen bulbs
• Filament bulbs
• Fluorescent tubes

#3 - Watt (power) in Pendant Lamps

When you are choosing a new pendant lamp from our selection, you should consider the wattage in your upcoming pendant lamp that you wish to buy.

If you dream of a pendant lamp that can really cast good light to give e.g. your living room the extra life it requires, then consider possibly a pendant lamp with LED lighting.

Here is a list of the different wattages/power of pendant lamps typically based on size:

• 10 W
• 20 W
• 40 W
• 60 W

Often, the wattage indicates the brightness a pendant lamp can emit and also gives insight into the power consumption.

#4 - Choosing color for pendant lamps

When you need to choose a color for your upcoming pendant lamp, it is very important that it should harmonize with the rest of the surroundings, e.g. your living room or kitchen, so that it does not disturb the overall impression in any way.

For example, black can be a beautiful and stylish color that fits easily into most people's homes.

The choice of color does not relate to the functions of the pendant lamp, so it is a matter of personal taste and how the color fits your home.

Here are some examples of the colors you can choose pendant lamps in:

• Black
• Gold
• White
• Chrome
• Brass
• Black/Gold

#5 - Pendant hanging for pendant lamps

Once you have purchased one or more pendant lamps, it is also recommended that you immediately look at some accessories for it in the form of a pendant suspension, so you make a complete purchase.

A pendant suspension is used for hanging your pendant lamp and can also help relieve its cord.

The pendant suspension can also hold your pendant lamp in a specific position, such as further away or closer to your dining table for example.

Here are examples of some of the pendant suspensions available for pendant lamps:

• General pendant suspension
• Pendant suspension with swan neck
• Pendant suspension with screw
• Cord shortener for pendant lamp

#6 - Lumen in Pendant Lamps

Lumen indicates the strength of the light and how brightly your lamp can shine.

If you want a lamp with a normal pleasant light, you might consider a lamp with 2000-3000 lumens.

However, if you need a lamp that can shine brightly, you can choose lamps with 3000-4500 lumens.

Some lamps can also be used for dimming, so you can adjust the brightness via a dimmable socket.

Be aware that this also requires a bulb that is compatible with dimming.

#7 - Color temperature (Kelvin) in your Pendant Lamps

The color temperature in your pendant lamps is not about the actual brightness of the light, but rather about the appearance and "feel" of the light's hue.

Color temperature is actually more important than many think, and it is beneficial to consider what needs your upcoming pendant lamps should meet.

Here are some examples of different Kelvin values, and where they are most commonly used:

The most important thing to consider is whether the lamp will be used at home or in the workplace.

If the lamp is for your bedroom, it is often nice to have a low color temperature, as it provides the best relaxation.

If the lamp is intended for use in the office, a lamp with higher Kelvin is often preferred, as the color of the light provides better focus for work tasks.

#8 - Lifespan of Pendant Lamps

The lifespan of your lamps does not cover the bulb you have installed in them, but rather how long the lamp itself lasts.

This can involve both the internal technology of the lamp and its external appearance.

The lifespan is often listed on the individual pendant lamp product pages, and is always indicated in hours.

The lifespan can vary depending on the material of the lamp, so it is important to investigate what type of lamp you prefer.

If you want a lamp that lasts a long time, materials like stainless steel are often among the more popular choices.

#9 - Length of the cord + Adjustable or not?

Pendant lamps hang down from the ceiling via their cord, and therefore the length of the cord is very relevant for your upcoming lamp.

It is particularly important to choose a lamp that you are sure has a long enough cord, as you can always shorten it.

If the cord is too short when fully extended, there is nothing to do but buy a new cord or lamp if it does not fit the setup.

Many pendant lamps come with a cord that is longer than most will need, so you can freely adjust it in length, and thereby move the lamp as you wish.

Pendant Lamps/Sockets FAQ

What is the difference between a pendant lamp and a ceiling lamp?

A pendant lamp hangs from the ceiling, but has a design that hangs relatively far down via a cord. This is also the case with some ceiling lamps, but there are also many ceiling lamps that sit very close to the ceiling, and thus differ from pendant lamps.

Which pendant socket should you choose?

The socket for your pendant suspension/lamp you should choose depends on the bulb you wish to use. For most pendant lamps, large sockets, often referred to as E27, are used, which are for the standard size of light bulbs you likely know from many types of ceiling lamps, table lamps, floor lamps, etc. However, other types of bulbs can also be used in various pendant lamps; just remember to check this before your purchase.