Lighting is the fastest way to transform a room.
You see it when the sun comes out from behind the clouds, flooding your living room with natural daylight and making everything seem much cheerier. Since daylight is often in short supply on our island, artificial options offer a gallant alternative.
Small table lamps can add coziness to a room, while large chandeliers can accentuate the grandeur of a space. Even if you’re a minimalist—or perhaps because of that—well-chosen lighting instantly adds interest and chutzpah to a room, even if it doesn’t contain much.
Pendant lights are particularly good for creating dramatic accents. They usually have a cord and hang from the ceiling, ending up somewhere in the upper third of the room – an area that is usually not very appealing. They are ideal for living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms and act as an anchor for a room, much like a rug anchors the floor.
Installing pendant lights requires some knowledge of electrical wiring, and if your DIY skills aren’t up to scratch, your best bet is to hire the services of a professional electrician. Botching the job can be a costly and dangerous mistake, and electrocution isn’t on any bingo cards in 2024.
If you’re not sure if a pendant light is right for you, we’ve rounded up the prettiest options below for virtually any room in the house—kids’ rooms included. They also cover every budget, so if you stay within a certain price range, you should be able to find something that suits your needs.
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M&S Collection Chloe pendant ceiling light
Finding good lighting for kitchens and living rooms can be a challenge, but M&S does it beautifully with this frilled edge pendant light. The cable is concealed behind a wrapped fabric and finished with a metal fitting at the ceiling, creating a seamless finish.
Buy now £49.50, M&S
Made Madelyn ceiling light
Made is back to brighten up your dining room or living room with this four-light pendant light. The dramatic 101 cm length requires high ceilings, but if you’re looking for a head-turner, this pendant light is for you. Available in red and black.
Buy now £149.00, Made
Pooky Hestia Chandelier
A glass chandelier is a feast for the eyes, but if you’re not into the old-fashioned styles of yesteryear, Pooky has a modern alternative that will blow your mind. Made from a brass frame and glass rods, this halo design offers a modern take on a classic. It uses 24 long-lasting LEDs to project light across the room and illuminate the darkest corners. A beautiful addition to lounges and hallways.
Buy now £570.00, Pooky
La Redoute Interieurs Daphné rattan lampshade with fringes and 69 cm diameter
Striking curves with a little flourish at the end: shell shapes continue to be the undisputed hit in interior design. An easy way to join the trend is to change your big light to incorporate the look.
Buy now £161.25, La Redoute
OKA Ostra pendant light
Give your guests a reason to look up with this handcrafted design from OKA. The gentle curves and asymmetrical shape are reminiscent of a French beret, while the antique gold inside enhances the shine.
Buy now £296.00, OKA
Rockett St George Terracotta Mesh Pendant Light
Welcome the new season with a change of colour and shape courtesy of homewares store Rockett St George. This delightfully plump pumpkin shape can be found on the website in terracotta and black with a mesh shade to let light through.
Buy Now £85.00, Rockett St George
Metro Lane 2 – Light Sphere Chandelier Ceiling Light with Crystal Accents
Give your bedroom a chic B&B look with matching pendant lights above each nightstand. The twin pieces come fully assembled and are height adjustable so you can hang them however you like. They are moisture and rust resistant and will enhance any room.
Buy now £65.99, Wayfair
John Lewis Clyde Glass Pendant Ceiling Light, Clear
The clear lampshade of this pendant light makes it ideal for kitchens and dining areas as it evenly illuminates the space. The piece was handcrafted in India and the metal hardware works well for those with an industrial kitchen aesthetic in mind.
Buy now £150.00, John Lewis
Pooky 18cm pendant lamp shade
Pooky offers plenty of stunning lightbulb moments that will add character to your interior. This lampshade is made from paper that has been marbled with coloured oils and water. The result? A chic and psychedelic design with stylish retro touches. It comes with a fitting, so this will need to be installed by a professional. We think it’s worth the effort for the looks alone.
Buy now £70.00, Pooky
KRIPINC Ceiling Pendant Light, 3D Printing Moonlight Shade
For budding astronomers, aspiring astronauts, or romantics who want to dream under the full moon every night, this whimsical design promises to take bedroom lighting to a whole new stratosphere. Designed to hang from the ceiling, the moon-themed pendant light offers three dimming levels so you can view the incredible details in your preferred lighting.
Buy now £62.99, Amazon
LovingSTRING – Large lampshade “Sweet Dreamer” in drum shape
Lovingly woven with coloured cords around a drum frame, this lampshade is a simple yet chic way to add colour to your space. It can be used as a pendant, hanging from the ceiling or upgrading an old table lamp and giving your desk or bedside table the frame it deserves.
Buy now £64.00, Liberty
Oliver Bonas Espiral pendant lampshade, large, natural rattan
This natural rattan lampshade from Oliver Bonas looks like driftwood and brings a beach vibe to your home. The bent wood transforms your simple lightbulb into an art installation, with light shimmering through the neutral color palette. Suitable for all rooms except the bathroom or any room with similarly humid conditions.
Buy now £45.00, Oliver Bonas
Dunelm – Malika Cane – 2-tier easy to assemble pendant light
Rattan and cane are no longer just a summer interior design trend. The simple look is appealing all year round and can be found on lampshades too. This two-tiered hanging lampshade made from raffia and cane creates a striking look that fits well in boho-style interiors. It can also be used on lamps if you already have a base you like.
Buy now £52.00, Dunelm
Mistana Alor pendant lampshade made of bamboo/rattan, 40 cm high, spider, in beige/black
Combining boho chic with industrial design, this pendant lampshade easily mounts over your existing light socket. It comes in small and large, giving you options depending on the dimensions of your room.
Buy now £27.99, Wayfair
Dunelm – Easy to assemble Hot Air Balloon rattan pendant light
Fire up bedtime stories with a prop that doubles as fantastic lighting – ideal for a child’s bedroom. Shaped like a hot air balloon with a basket, the design is made from sustainable rattan and fits standard ceiling lights. It’s available in three colors: white, gray and natural brown.
Buy now £40.00, Dunelm
IKEA RANARP pendant lamp
If you’re lucky enough to have a kitchen with high ceilings, you can use a hanging ceiling light to add shape and interest to different areas of the room, such as above the sink or a kitchen island.
IKEA’s powder-coated RANARP design has an industrial feel with solid steel details and a striped textile cable instead of a chain. It gives off direct light, making it more suitable as task lighting, but can also be used as general lighting in small spaces.
Buy now 29,00 €, IKEA
