Pendant Lights for Kitchen Islands

Finding pendant lights for kitchen islands can be a tricky task.  How many pendant lights do I need?  How do I find the style that matches my kitchen?  What should I do for a shade and bulb? First you can start by examining your kitchen.  Would you like to spice your kitchen up with a modern flare and a more contemporary light?  Or, would you like to stick to your kitchen’s style with a more traditional light.  You could even pick a more transitional light that is neither modern nor traditional, but more of a combination of both.  There are so many pendant lights out there to choose from.  We will detail the best modern, traditional and transitional pendant lights. This article will simplify your search.  Pendant lights over the kitchen island not only add a glow to your island, but also fill an otherwise empty space with character.

Best Overall – Modern/Contemporary Pendant Light

A pendant light of the modern style offers sleek, uncluttered design.  A modern pendant light can make a bold statement or be simple and understated.  Our favorite modern pendant light is the Primo large glass globe pendant.  The Primo pendant has 4.5 stars on amazon.

The Primo light has a clear blown glass shade.  It has exposed hardware and is available in brushed nickel, polished chrome and antique brass.  The fixture looks beautiful with an edison bulb.  These pendants provide that high end look that you are looking for for an affordable price.

Best Overall – Traditional Pendant Light

Traditional style pendant lights offer a combination of less formal, classic designs.  The number of choices with traditional design can be overwhelming.  So, we have number of great options that we have narrowed it down to in this article.  Our best overall choice for both style and price is below.  It is called the Nate one light pendant.  It has an oil rubbed bronze finish with a clear glass shade.

The Nate pendant light comes in 1-Light, 3-Light and 4-Light configurations.  It has approximately 1500 reviews on amazon resulting in 4.5 stars.  The fixture is easy to install and easy to upgrade.  The Nate pendant is a high quality, beautiful fixture at a great price.

Best Overall – Transitional Pendant Light

A transitional style light is a light that is comprised of both the contemporary and traditional style.  Since the transitional style is the midway point between modern and traditional, a transitional light can easily be paired with many different kinds of decor.  We have chosen our top transitional pendant light to create timeless style in your kitchen.  Our choice for style that will effortlessly blend into your home is the Emliviar kitchen pendant light in an oil rubbed bronze finish.

The fixture features a metal cage frame.  It also has a clear glass shade and clean lines.  The Emliviar pendant has a 4.5 star review on amazon.

Best Traditional Pendant Lights

1- Nate 1-Light Pendant

The Nate One Light Pendant light has an oil rubbed bronze finished and a clear glass shade.  The Nate pendant lights are perfect for over a kitchen island.  The pendant is a great value.  

2 – Seeded Shade Pendant Light

The LANROS Industrial Mini Pendant Light has a handblown, clear seeded glass shade.  It has an adjustable cord and a black finish. The traditional, timeless look is something you will enjoy for years to come.

3 – Simple Globe Pendant Light

The Gruenlich Pendant Lighting Fixture has a simple, traditional profile.  It has a medium base, metal construction, oil rubbed finished and a clear glass shade.  The pendants are sold in a two pack.

4 – Cone Shade Traditional Pendant Light

The WISBEAM Pendant Lighting Fixture is sold as a 2 pack.  As far as characteristics, these lights have an oil rubbed finish or bronze and brass finish and a clear glass shade.  The shade is nice and heavy and are very versatile.

5 – Chrome Base Pendant Light

The Lucera Glass Kitchen Pendant Light is a chrome base, farmhouse style hanging light fixture.  The Lucera fixture has 4.5 stars on amazon.  It has a clear, handblown glass shade.

Best Modern Pendant Lights

With so many choices available for modern pendant lights, we will list our top choices.  Modern, contemporary pendant lights have clean, sharp lines.  Try any of these lights for an updated look.

1 – Black Pendant Light

The Modern Effimero Mini Pendant Light is a clear glass fixture with a large lamp shade.  It has 5 stars on amazon and many, many positive reviews.  It makes a dramatic design statement.

2 – Globe Pendant Light

The Primo Large Glass Globe Pendant Light Fixture is a black and gold hanging pendant light for the kitchen island.  This mid century modern ceiling light comes with a clear glass shade.  It is a well made pendant at a very good price.

3 – Long Thin Modern Pendant Light

The Giada Modern Hanging Pendant Light is a brushed nickel pendant light for the kitchen island.  It has a long clear glass shade.  The Giada pendant is a versatile pendant that goes with a number of different home decors.

4 – Frosted Shade Modern Pendant Light Two Pack

The Jazava Modern Mini 1-Light Pendant is sold as a two pack.  It is an industrial hanging ceiling light fixture perfect for your kitchen island. The length of the light is adjustable.  Also, the lights have brushed nickel finish with white linen frosted and clear glass shades.

5 – Chandelier Modern Pendant Light

The Caserti Mid Century Modern 2 light pendant light  is black with 2 clear glass globes.  It gives off a warm glow while still lighting the room.  It has a 5 star amazon rating and many positive reviews.

Best Transitional Pendant Lights

Transitional pendant lights combine traditional and modern design.  It allows you to have clean lines without being completely sleek and modern.  Transitional lights work well with many different styles of kitchens.  

1 – Brushed Nickel Pendant Light

The Kindri Metal Pendant Light is in a beautiful brushed nickel.  It is dimmable and will add a sheen to your kitchen.  It is an industrial look pendant with great details.

2 – Oil Rubbed Bronze Pendant Light

The Emliviar Kitchen Pendant Light is a mini hanging light with an oil rubbed finish.  It has a clear glass shade with a unique oil rubbed bronze cage frame.

3 – Crystal Shade Pendant Light

The Cuaulans Chrome Crystal Ceiling Pendant Light adds just that right amount of sparkle without being too much.  The pendants provide an elegant, modern look.

4 –  Cutout Farmhouse Pendant Light

The B2ocled Retro Industrial Black Pendant light has a black metal shade and a heavy threaded brass socket.  It has an industrial feel that will complement many different kitchen styles.

5 – Silver Pendant Light

The Livex 40210-35 Transitional One Light Mini Pendant is from the Middlebush Collection.  It is polished nickel.  It has an avant garde double shaded hand crafted in glass.  The inside shade is a satin opal white glass shade.  On the outside, the shade is clear glass.

How Many Pendant Lights Do I Need Over my Island?

When determining how many pendants that you need to install over your island, you should use the rule of three.  An odd number of pendant lights creates a focal point and are more visually appealing.  Using two pendants will still be beautiful, but if you can fit three, by all means use an odd number.  To determine the number of pendants needed, first measure the length of your kitchen island.  Then, determine how many pendants that you can fit in the length of the island keeping the pendants 30” apart and 12” from the end of the island.