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30 Knockout Kitchen Pendants That Will Catch Your Eye

By Wendy Jacob On

We’re not ready to pull down the big bold kitchen pendants quite yet!

So many designers and homeowners use them to make a unique statement and draw the eye up over a beautiful island. Whether they are crafted from buttery brass, breezy rattan or wrought iron, these kitchen pendants will make you stop and take notice. Scroll down!

In this kitchen, cage-like pendants get an added touch of whimsey with the addition of faux birds. The see-through mesh also doesn’t block the views outside, where the real birds hang out.

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Stephanie Pellatt, Pivot Design Group; Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory

House & Home April 2017

Old-school globe lights never tire, and in this gorgeous traditional kitchen, they get an update with a mix of materials, like the brass strip that reflects the finish of the pulls.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Jack Creasy, Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry

House & Home March 2020

Designer Montana Burnett opted for larger-than-life pendants in her family’s lakefront cottage for a moment of modernity against the Shaker-style cabinetry. The scale of the room stops the pendants from feeling overwhelming.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Montana Burnett

House & Home July 2015

Large metal dome pendants are a luxe focal point in a cool gray kitchen. The industrial mood of the pendants is echoed by the rivetted straps on the range hood.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Allison Willson

House & Home February 2016

A trio of striking honeycomb-like fixtures up the glam factor in this prairie penthouse kitchen by homeowners and designers Trevor Ciona and Curtis Elmy. Gold accents contrast the dark glossy cabinetry and dramatic backsplash and countertop for an effervescent, champagne-like effect.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Trevor Ciona & Curtis Elmy, Atmosphere Interior Design

House & Home March 2018

In black-stained wicker, these hive-shaped fixtures are an unexpected statement in an otherwise sleek space by designer Montana Burnett. At night, they throw dynamic shadows across the ceiling of this urban kitchen.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Montana Burnett

House & Home March 2019

Boxy, jewel-like pendants are a pretty, elegant addition to this polished kitchen. The square shapes are a counterpoint to the striking arch which frames the windows and hood.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Katherine Newman

House & Home October 2014

A large-scale lantern pendant is a perfect fit inside this Oakville, Ontario, showhome kitchen designed by Lynda Reeves. The lantern, stone floor and trestle table underscore the rustic farmhouse vibe.

  • Photographer Michael Graydon
  • Designer Lynda Reeves

House & Home December 2010

When ceilings are high and lofty, you can go big with a row of extra large light fixtures.

  • Photographer Ted Yarwood
  • Designer Janna Levitt & Dean Goodman; Architecture by Danny Bartman

House & Home May 2007

For a soft look, a pair of woven pendant lamps adds a hint of texture in the West Coast kitchen. When lit, they shine delicately, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Erin Chow, The Cross

House & Home August 2016

These refurbished French street lanterns have an emotional connection for the homeowners of this charming cottage. Large lanterns with multiple bulbs and clear panes of glass provide plenty of illumination over worktops and islands.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Natalie Hodgins & Shannon Morrison, Sarah Richardon Design

House & Home August 2016

In this boathouse kitchen, it makes sense to play up the nautical character. Designer Anne Hepfer mounted a pair of polished-nickel gooseneck task lights to either end of this cottage kitchen as a nod to outdoor dock lighting.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Anne Hepfer

House & Home August 2017

Clear glass lanterns let a strong backsplash shine through. The pretty hex shape is unexpected, and is a good match for an unlacquered faucet.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Andrea Armstrong

House & Home January 2016

In this spacious kitchen, traditional design moves — like marble counters, glass-fronted cabinets and checkerboard floors — get a contemporary update with the addition of gold-toned hardware and pendants.

  • Photographer André Rider
  • Designer Maxime Vandal & Richard Ouellette, Les Ensembliers

House & Home June 2016

Designer Lorraine Franklin added black accents — like a trio of oversized shades in her contemporary cottage kitchen — to keep the white cabinets from looking bland. “The colors are all very neutral, so the black just punches out the design,” says Lorraine. A long island is balanced by their bold scale, and the gilded interior is a luxe touch.

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Lorraine Franklin; Architecture by Nelson Kwong & Neal Prabhu at nkArchitect

House & Home July/August 2020

Consider this trademark lantern the bold pendant OG. It’s one of Tommy Smythe‘s signature design moves, and we love how the color punches up a black and white palette.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson Design

House & Home January 2012

In his historical kitchen, designer James Davie chose an airy white metal cage light that has enough scale not to be overpowered by a gutsy floor tile. It almost resembles a rising hot air balloon, making it feel right at home among blue cabinets.

  • Photographer Angus Fergusson
  • Designer James Davie

House & Home January 2015

A buttery brass finish elevates the pendant in this Edinburgh kitchen and accents the timeless classics like a Saarinen pedestal table, subway tiles, Aga cooker and rush-seated wood chairs.

  • Photographer Chris Tubbs

House & Home December 2014

In this white cottage kitchen, breeziness reigns supreme (just look at that open ceiling!). These modified lantern fixtures are airy and casual, and the scale balances the super long 12-foot island.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Cory DeFrancisco, Muskoka Living Interiors

House & Home July 2017

A contrasting interior turns white enamel dome pendants into sumptuous accents in this spacious kitchen. The gold offers a jewel-like glint of warmth to match the brass faucet.

  • Photographer Michael Graydon
  • Designer Lesley Macmillan, Trianon Design

House & Home October 2017

In chef Jamie Kennedy’s Prince Edward County kitchen, weighty, oversized pendants cast plenty of task lighting on the hardworking hub for prepping his farm-to-table feasts.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford

House & Home September 2019

Ribbed glass is looking fresh again! In this Quebec kitchen, it appears on the pendants, mixed with cool metal strapping for an industrial note. That use of texture is repeated in the beadboard, wall tile and ceiling timbers.

  • Photographer Adrien Williams
  • Designer BlazysGérard

House & Home October 2016

The focus in this pared-back kitchen is on natural materials, so it makes sense to choose metal dome pendants in a powder-coated white finish for a Scandinavian look.

  • Photographer Lauren Miller
  • Designer Shauna Walton

House & Home October 2020

Similar to oversized paperclips, these gorgeous pendants are eyecatching against ebonized white oak cabinets.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Katherine Newman

House & Home December 2019

In this New York country kitchen, a schoolhouse pendant with a maritime feel strikes a perfect note. The ribbed glass and nickel finish is timeless and fresh.

  • Photographer John Gruen

House & Home September 2018

When you’ve got a lush ravine right outside your window, the key is to keep it simple. These pendants in this kitchen almost have an origami, folded paper look that makes them feel lighter than air.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Sarah Hartill

House & Home October 2015

This pleated metal pendant is an unexpected touch in designer Luke Havekes’ New England-style country kitchen. Its burnished brass finish pops against the wheat-colored tile on the wall and vent hood.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Luke Havekes

House & Home September 2019

In this crisp, compact kitchen, a wicker pendant resembles a flipped over hamper and has an almost fantastical effect that’s playful and fresh.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens & Angus McRitchie
  • Designer Judith Gougeon

House & Home June 2018

A multi-armed globe pendant over the island of this East Coast kitchen mimics the heritage elements, including knotty hardwood floors and an original fireplace.

  • Photographer Janet Kimber
  • Designer DWD Interiors

House & Home March 2019

Ribbed wood pendants play up the mid-century vibe of this kitchen, which is open to the dining and living room. The textural quality of the lights are echoed by woven baskets and a wide-plank floor.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Lisa Lev

House & Home March 2018