How to Place Pendant Lights Over Your Kitchen Island
How to Place Pendant Lights Over a Kitchen Island
When it comes to kitchen design, lighting is key—not just for seeing what you’re doing, but for setting the mood and showing off your space. And when it comes to lighting over a kitchen island, pendant lights are the go-to choice for both style and function.
But here’s the big question: How many pendant lights do you actually need, and where should they go?
This guide shares my proven formula for pendant placement so you can get it right first time.
3.5m kitchen island with 3 pendants at 30cm wide
Why Pendant Lighting Over a Kitchen Island Works So Well
Your kitchen island isn’t just for prepping food—it’s a hub for cooking, eating, chatting, and even doing homework. The right pendant lighting makes it functional while creating a stylish focal point in your kitchen.
The trick? Getting the placement and size of the pendants right so that they are practical without overpowering the space.
The Simple Formula for Pendant Light Placement
Here’s the formula I swear by for working out how many pendants to hang over your kitchen island:
Measure your kitchen island’s length.
Subtract 30cm from that measurement.
Divide that number by the diameter of your chosen pendant light.
Divide again by 2 – this gives you the number of pendants that will fit comfortably.
Example:
Island length = 240cm
Minus 30cm = 210cm
Pendant diameter = 40cm
210 ÷ 40 = 5.25
5.25 ÷ 2 = 2.6 → meaning 2–3 pendants is ideal.
This calculation ensures your lighting is evenly spaced and proportionate to your island size.
You can also work in reverse and use the formula to decide what size of pendants you need depending on the quantity you want. This is useful if the pendant style you like comes in different sizes and you have budgetary constraints.
Kitchen island with two large pendant lights
Choosing the Right Pendant Size
The diameter of your pendants will affect both the look and the light coverage.
Small islands (up to 2m): Two medium-sized pendants work well.
Larger islands: Three pendants often work best—just check the formula above to be sure. For example my island is 3.5m long and I have 3 pendants measuring 30cm diameter.
In addition to the diameter you also need to consider the depth of your pendants and how clunky they are. Depending on your kitchen layout you may want larger pendants to make an impact if they are not going to be intrusive on other design elements. However, if you have a series of open shelving for styling then you should select a slimmer style of pendants that you can see the design features behind.
The Perfect Height for Pendant Lights
Hanging pendants too high or too low can throw off the balance of the room. The sweet spot is 75–90cm above the island’s surface (mine are 85cm). This gives plenty of clearance for tasks without blocking sight-lines, which in our case are our sea views.
Key Takeaway
Get the formula, size and height right and your kitchen island will be perfectly lit—both for function and aesthetics.
Smaller kitchen island using a large single pendant for impact
Now that you’ve nailed your pendant placement, check out my Kitchen Lighting Tips blog for more info about kitchen lighting design.