Copper Pendant Light

Ryan M. Grambart
Founder & CEO - CopperSmith
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Ryan M. Grambart

Copper pendant lighting is perceived to have been used as far back as the time period around Revolutionary War. The longevity of its use is deemed to be due to the use of copper. It is supple in nature and can be take the shapes that elude many other metals as well as its warming tones that offer a pleasant mix with other hues. A home can be enhanced with the aesthetic feature of a hanging copper light pendant.

Decorating

Most often used in the kitchen as décor, copper kitchen ceiling lighting is quickly becoming viewed as fascinating works of art. They are able to offer a beautiful balance, classic style as well as an ample amount of illumination. With the addition of copper pendant lighting, no longer does your kitchen island need to be neglected or covered by a boring light fixture with zero personality.

The stylish and sleek lighting option is able to compliment kitchen cabinets so that they do not simply disappear into the walls and go unnoticed as a viable component of the room’s décor. Hanging copper pendant lighting is also able to perfectly compliment the metal tinges, such as shiny countertops, aluminum surfaces and more in order to provide continuity throughout the room.

The use of this lighting option is also a fun way to add a pop of color into your kitchen. Most modern kitchens are focused upon an ergonomic and minimalistic design, utilizing this décor option will add a splash of color as well as a component that breaks the sterile feel.

When choosing to add copper kitchen ceiling lighting, the design rule of three should be applied. This is expressly important when the lighting is to be placed above a kitchen island; three pendant lights should be used. The use of three will offer a sleek styling as well as optimal lighting for the area that will defer from becoming overwhelming. As with any rules, there are exceptions. Should your kitchen be on the small side, two pendant lights will offer the same effect without appearing gaudy.

Placement over Billiard Tables

When engaging in a game of pool, it is imperative to have the use of both ambient lighting and direct illumination. Downward multi light pedants are the best type of fixture to help achieving this. The pendant should be hung no lower than 32 to 36 inches over the playing table.

Hallway Placement

Add drama and beauty to hallways with the use of copper pendant lighting. The fixtures will casts shadows while providing an ample amount of lighting to the area. Utilizing a series of pendant lights down the length of a hallway creates a classic and elegant look.

One can be placed within a shortened corridor in order to create an ideal amount of illumination. The overall height of the pendants used for hanging in a corridor should be in the range of 18 to 24 inches. Hang the first in the center of the corridor and work your way out from either side with all identically spaced apart.

Over a Kitchen Island

In a working room such as a kitchen, likely is how high importance. Most commonly, copper ceiling lighting is used over kitchen islands as a means of provided, depth to design and ideal track lighting. Lighting above kitchen islands should be no lower than 30 to 40 inches from the top surface of the island. This height may be altered depending upon the activities that take place there.

Spacing

The decision to use copper pendant lighting is one of practicality that works best when spaced properly within your home’s bar, kitchen and more. For an adequate amount of lighting as well as maximum functionality, the spacing between the lights should be uniform. A standard rule dictates that lights be placed 30 inches apart from each other; yet when hanging the lighting above a kitchen island, the distance should be decreased.

If the lighting is being used more for aesthetics than for functionality the placement can be played with. Pendant lights can be grouped above a seating area or a desk with alternating heights for a dramatic and artistic result.

Are they bright enough?

Since they tend to be used for general and task lighting, they are capable of providing more than enough illumination for the area that they are used in. As a matter of fact, most copper pendant lighting fixtures use the following:

  • Incandescent lamps
  • Halogen lamps (modern fixtures use) fluorescent and HID lighting sources
  • Hard wired compact fluorescent lighting sources
  • LED lighting (available for some fixture types, but not all)
  • Plug-in vs. Hardwiring

The plug-in option for copper pendant lighting teds to be less labor intensive as well as less expensive; but they require an extension cord. This may deter from your desired design while causing potential hazards within the space that it is use in. Whereas the option of hardwiring offers a more polished and clean look to the lighting option. There are no dangling cords involved in the design or process. The installation, however, is more costly and labor intensive. But, if you are choosing the fixture as permanent décor, it will be well worth the cost; due to it being able to add valuable equity to your living space.

The placement of the copper pendant lighting plays a major role when deciding between the options. When the lighting is to be placed above an item, it should undoubtedly be hardwired.

Weigh Design Options

Flexible and functional copper pendant lighting are great for general and task illumination within a kitchen as well as creating a strong statement within a dining area. Pendant lighting styles rang from sculptural to mini and the chic option of pendant track lighting. The design choice ends to the area the ambiance of a quaint café or upscale boutique. When deciding to use pendant lighting, the first thing that needs to be determined how high you want or need the lighting to be hung.

Pendant lights can used over a kitchen sink or placed into rows over an island or counter top in the kitchen or even suspended over a hallway or dining room table. Copper pendant lighting also add a bit of nostalgia to game rooms when placed above billiard (pool) tables.

What Should I look for in Design?

Before purchasing a copper pendant fixture consider the context in which it will be used. The best place to start is by taking into account your décor and the overall style of your home. Are the rooms inside your home rustic and warm or modern and minimalistic? Do you have a classic or traditional home or one that is more eclectic and whimsical? Or is you haven one that is glamorous or simply understated?

It is important to choose fixtures that are shaped to compliment the current style of your home while providing your furnishings with an interesting counterpoint. For a home that is rustic, you should opt to use a schoolhouse style of copper pendant. Whereas a modern style home would gain increased style from the use of a sleek linear design.

Pendants only need to be identical in style when being placed above a kitchen island. Otherwise, various styles can be grouped together over bars, dining areas and more for a more dramatic and artistic accenting element.

What Size and Scale Should be Used?

For the best possible look when using copper pendant lighting, the size and scale should be in harmony with that of the room and furnishings of the area that they are being placed into. For example, pendant lights that are running down the length of a bar or kitchen island should be minimum of 10” in diameter smaller than the width of the counter space. This will leave headspace for anyone standing or sitting at the area.

A dining room that is massive is able to handle being paired with a chandelier or a massive pendant, while a breakfast nook that is more compact needs to be mated with a fixture of a much smaller scale.

What is the ideal height for a pendant?

When positioning pendants above a dining room table, there are two acceptable approaches. This first involves hanging the bottom rim of the pendant approximately 60 – 66 inches from the floor. The other approach is to suspend the pendant approximately 30 inches from the surface of the dining table. Both approaches will supply ample enough lighting while shielding the glare of other light sources from your eyes as you dine.

When should multiple pendants be used?

The use of multiple copper pendants if ideal for home bars, kitchen islands and elongated dining tables. When using a collection of pendants, the key is finding a balance among all of the elements of the room that are already competing for focal attention. When using two or more pendants they should be spaced apart 30 inches from the bulb not the rim of the pendant.

Should a dimmer be used?

Using a dimmer is always a worthwhile venture. A dimmer not only permits you to control the amount of light used and the mood of the room, it is also a wonderful way to limit energy consumption which leads to decreased energy bills.

Guide to choosing the correct pendant and pendant amount

1. Evaluate you space in order to determine where the lighting would work best.

  1. Over a central or kitchen island: Since this is a design element that unifies a room, superb illumination is needed, therefore more than one light will need to be purchased
  2. Over a dining table: Mini pendant lighting would need to be used as an alternative for the use of a chandelier.
  3. At a work station or sink: This would be used more for decoration and less as an option of primary lighting. The more decorative the area, the more decorative the copper pendant lighting must be in order to properly compliment it.

2. Determine the amount of lights that will be needed

  1. One light per two feet of counter space.
  2. Generally, an odd number is used to illuminate any elongated space.

3. Installation

  1. Given that the installation of hanging copper pendant lighting requires electrical knowledge, it is best to purchase your copper pending lighting options from retailers that are able to provide or recommend proper installation.
  2. If you are knowledgeable in regards to working with all things electric, you will be able to take on the task yourself; but ALL instructions provided by the manufacturers must be explicitly followed. There is ZERO room for area.

Buying Guide

Types of Pendants

There are several different types of copper pendant lights that are available. It is important to know the types so that you can properly know what will enhance your current décor before making your purchase.

  • Mini-pendants: This is the smallest version available in the pendant family. This type is not considered a workhorse for ambient lighting, but more so an option for creating a focal point.
  • Multi Light Pendants: This option provides multiple hanging lights that are connected to a single central fixture. This option provides a look that is very similar to a collection of individual hanging pendants. This is a more convenient option for rooms that only contain a singular opening overhead for electricity. They are ideally used above billiards tables, kitchen counters, work areas and dining room tables.
  • Down Light Pendants: These are fixtures that direct light downward and is best for providing task illumination for a single project.
  • Up Light Pendants: Light is directed upward and this type is best used for the execution of general lighting. This type of lighting allows for a room to achieve a large feel.

Conclusion

Hanging copper pendant lighting is able to offer a flexibility and functionality that affords homeowners with a classically sophisticated addition to their overall décor. The most classic and durable of options will add style, flair and grace to any home. The visually decorative pendant lighting helps to provide homes with an overall theme to the space that they are used in.

January 28, 2015