About Pendant Lights

Those dangling pendant lights are an increasingly popular way to add atmosphere, ambience and style--and of course illumination--to any room. Is your decorating style contemporary or classic? Is your budget lavish or lean? No matter what the scenario, you no longer have to setttle for a boring overhead light, a lonely lamp or recessed fluorescent lighting. The versatile pendant is showing up everywhere as an alluring chandelier, or trendy track lighting.

History

The first pendant light was probably a lantern with an oil wick, swinging from someone's hand after dark. Next, it was hanging from a post, or even hung from the ceiling by itself, or in a group. Whether made of clay, terracotta or eventually even metal, it had a closed well to hold the oil or animal fat, a wick or two and a holder. It may have had elaborate hand made designs, but still the flickering light only illuminated upwards. When glass became available, lighting history was made, and the pendant lamp was suddenly brighter. It threw its light above, beneath and all around it.

Types

Use your pendant lights in a chandelier. Dangle them from a track. Hang them alone or in a group. Be assured you can find one to complement your decor. Pendant lights now come in traditional, contemporary, old world, art nouveau, rustic, early American, French country and other styles. You'll have a myriad of choices just in the finishes alone, including brushed and polished chrome, steel or brass, bronze, antique brass and rattan. And of course the actual glass pendant comes in every color and color combination you can imagine.

Significance

In the 1800's, Tiffany Studios in New York made stained glass lamp shades by soldering together hundreds of stained glass pieces so smoothly that glass and solder were as smooth as... well, glass. A real Tiffany shade can cost thousands to millions of dollars, and can only be found in a museum or private collection. Tiffany-style shades are always popular in traditional and country decors, so of course, there are Tiffany-style pendants available at reasonable prices.

Size

There are many choices when it comes to size: the average pendant size, the mini pendant, the full shade size, the trestle double or triple pendant, the track hung with multiple minis. If you're going to hang it over your pool table, choose the trestle style with a pendant on each end. In the kitchen, a row of mini pendants on a track are attractive, and won't hit you in the head. Over the table, choose a chandelier made of average pendants on a circular fixture, or a full shade size pendant.

Considerations

Pendant lights are packaged with the brackets and screws you need, and manufacturer's instructions. However, if you're replacing lighting you will be connecting wiring in the old junction box. It is wise to hire an electrician if you're not familiar with electrical wiring. If you're installing a track, it may be one that allows curves and bends to put the light where you want it most. You can snap the lights into the track in whichever way you find most decorative, and most illuminating. A single pendant light may require the installation of a medallion or canopy before you hang the pendant.

Resources

• Pendant light selection
• Stained glass Tiffany style
• More pendant lights