Decorating & Design
30 Knockout Kitchen Pendants That Will Catch Your Eye
Published on April 1, 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
When ceilings are high and lofty, you can go big with a row of extra large light fixtures.
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.
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.
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.
Clear glass lanterns let a strong backsplash shine through. The pretty hex shape is unexpected, and is a good match for an unlacquered faucet.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Similar to oversized paperclips, these gorgeous pendants are eyecatching against ebonized white oak cabinets.
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.
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.
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.
In this crisp, compact kitchen, a wicker pendant resembles a flipped over hamper and has an almost fantastical effect that’s playful and fresh.
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.
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.