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
Source: House & Home April 2017
Designer: Stephanie Pellatt, Pivot Design Group; Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory
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
Source: House & Home March 2020
Designer: Jack Creasy, Bloomsbury Fine Cabinetry
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
Source: House & Home July 2015
Designer: Montana Burnett
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
Source: House & Home February 2016
Designer: Allison Willson
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
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Trevor Ciona & Curtis Elmy, Atmosphere Interior Design
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
Source: House & Home March 2019
Designer: Montana Burnett
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
Source: House & Home October 2014
Designer: Katherine Newman
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
Source: House & Home December 2010
Designer: Lynda Reeves
When ceilings are high and lofty, you can go big with a row of extra large light fixtures.
Photographer: Ted Yarwood
Source: House & Home May 2007
Designer: Janna Levitt & Dean Goodman; Architecture by Danny Bartman
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
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Erin Chow, The Cross
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
Source: House & Home August 2016
Designer: Natalie Hodgins & Shannon Morrison, Sarah Richardon Design
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
Source: House & Home August 2017
Designer: Anne Hepfer
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
Source: House & Home January 2016
Designer: Andrea Armstrong
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
Source: House & Home June 2016
Designer: Maxime Vandal & Richard Ouellette, Les Ensembliers
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
Source: House & Home July/August 2020
Designer: Lorraine Franklin; Architecture by Nelson Kwong & Neal Prabhu at nkArchitect
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
Source: House & Home January 2012
Designer: Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson Design
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
Source: House & Home January 2015
Designer: James Davie
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
Source: 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
Source: House & Home July 2017
Designer: Cory DeFrancisco, Muskoka Living Interiors
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
Source: House & Home October 2017
Designer: Lesley Macmillan, Trianon Design
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
Source: 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
Source: House & Home October 2016
Designer: BlazysGérard
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
Source: House & Home October 2020
Designer: Shauna Walton
Similar to oversized paperclips, these gorgeous pendants are eyecatching against ebonized white oak cabinets.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home December 2019
Designer: Katherine Newman
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
Source: 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
Source: House & Home October 2015
Designer: Sarah Hartill
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
Source: House & Home September 2019
Designer: Luke Havekes
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
Source: House & Home June 2018
Designer: Judith Gougeon
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
Source: House & Home March 2019
Designer: DWD Interiors
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
Source: House & Home March 2018
Designer: Lisa Lev