How to Hang Pendant Lights in Your Kitchen: A Practical Guide

Pendant lights are one of the most effective ways to elevate your kitchen. Not only do they provide essential task lighting, but they also double as a striking design feature. Whether you’re building from scratch, renovating, or refreshing your space, the key to achieving a functional and beautiful result lies in positioning your pendants thoughtfully.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical tips on how high to hang your pendants, how far apart to space them, and why linear pendant lights might be the perfect solution for your kitchen.

Featuring: The Coral Single Rod Pendant Light by Soktas

The Basics: Height & Positioning

When hanging pendant lights over your kitchen island, balance and proportion are everything. You want the pendants to provide ample light without blocking sightlines or overwhelming the space.

A good rule of thumb is to hang pendants 70–90cm above the benchtop. This height creates a functional work surface below, allowing the lights to visually anchor the island without feeling obtrusive. If your kitchen has higher ceilings, you can extend the drop slightly to suit, but this range is a solid starting point for most homes.

Another key element is centering. If you’re installing an odd number of pendants, three, five etc—ensure the middle pendant aligns perfectly with the centre of the island. This symmetry helps the lights look balanced and intentional.

With an odd number of pendants, the middle should align perfectly with the centre of the island.

An even number of pendants are spaced more evenly across the island

Spacing & Edge Clearance

The spacing between each pendant matters just as much as the height. As a general guide, leave 70–90cm between the centres of each pendant, depending on the size of the fittings and the length of your island.

Maintaining a clean edge at each end of the island is equally important. Aim for 15–20cm clearance from the ends of the benchtop to the first and last pendant. This prevents the lights from feeling too cramped or heavy at the edges.

We recommend allowing at least 40cm between each fitting for glass pendants. In breezy homes (especially in New Zealand, where airflow is often strong), this extra space prevents pendants from clinking together on windy days.

How Many Pendants Should You Hang?

The number of pendants typically depends on the size of your island and the diameter of the lights themselves.

• Shorter islands (1.5m–2.4m): Two pendants often look best (depending on size)

• Longer islands (3m+): Three or more pendants tend to offer a more balanced look.

However, if you prefer a more streamlined, minimalist aesthetic—or want to avoid the visual clutter of multiple pendants—you might opt for a single linear pendant light instead.

The Case for Linear Pendant Lights

Linear pendant lights are fast becoming a favourite for modern kitchens, and it’s easy to see why. Unlike individual pendants, a single linear fitting spans a larger section of the island, providing consistent, even light across the entire surface.

They’re perfect for:

• Task lighting: Ideal when you need bright, focused light for meal prep and cooking.

• Ambient lighting: Many linear lights offer dimmable options to shift the mood from practical to relaxed.

• Minimalist styling: A sleek, continuous design works beautifully in contemporary kitchens.

At Social Light, we offer our Capsühl Linear collection, which is designed and manufactured in-house to deliver tailored lighting solutions. Capsühl Linear lights are fully customisable in length, finish, and colour temperature, ensuring they suit both your kitchen’s size and your personal style.

👉 Browse our Capsühl Linear range here

A sleek linear light spans a larger section of the island, providing consistent, even light across the entire surface.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to pendant lighting. While guidelines around height, spacing, and positioning can provide a helpful starting point, the perfect setup will depend on your kitchen’s unique dimensions, ceiling height, and aesthetic.

Whether you choose classic pendants or opt for a sleek linear light, taking the time to plan their placement will ensure your kitchen is not only well-lit but also beautifully cohesive.

Need help deciding what’s right for your space?

Get in touch with the team at Social Light—we’re here to help you find the perfect pendant lighting solution for your kitchen.