What’s the Difference Between Pendant Lighting & Chandelier Lighting?

Among different types of lighting to be had at home, one of the most frequently used ones is Pendant Lighting. However, it is a common mistake made by people thinking that pendant lighting and chandelier lighting are one and the same. Generally, pendant lights are suspended from the ceiling with the help of a solitary chain or metallic tube, from a single sconce. The work of the ‘pendant’, as it were, is done by the lamp shade itself.

It is a lot easier to go for pendant lighting compared to the other types as it is more convenient and provides more light for places like the washrooms and kitchens where strong light is a must.

The lamp shades in this type of lighting are generally made out of white, cream or opaque glass that are used to cut out the intensity of the light to a great deal. In recent ten years or so however, it has been observed that shades could be ad in a variety of shapes (say like a hat or a funnel) which are open at one end. The elevation of the lamp could be changed with the help of wires. In different types of buildings nowadays, these lights could be hung from ceilings as high as twenty feet to illuminate broad hallways, or hung up in a row for kitchen islands.

It is incorrectly supposed that pendant lighting is only a growing fashion. In fact, it has a long history, in some form or the other. In early Hellenic civilization, around 2700 B.C, hanging pots of clay, with animal fat, grease or incensed oil as fuel along with one or multiple wicks were all put inside a large holder to serve as pendant lights. External ornamentation in these pots was often made to make them look beautiful. The Romans would again use stuff like bronze or other metallic pots for holding the oil. But the most significant break in the history of pendant lights came with the introduction of glass. It was easier to have greater illumination with glass. Probably this is the reason why people have still thought it appropriate to stick to glass.

There is a wide range of styles you could opt for in pendant lighting. For example, while bowl pendants, multi-light pendants, island pendants and large pendants (over 12 inches) are common categories, foyer pendants and mini pendants (less than 12 inches) are also available. Each category of pendant is preferably used for definite purposes. Like larger ones provide stronger light suitable for dining tables and kitchens while normal or upside-down bowl pendants could work great for dim or soft lighting reducing stern lines and strictly structured spaces to look less restricted. For gates and walkways, vestibules and reception areas and lounges (say, in hotel) or any kind of entrances, foyer lights are best.

Provided you can have power connections to run them, pendant lights could be hung up almost everywhere in rooms. It is not difficult to have innovative lighting to personalize your space as usually we do have lighting wires fixed up to our ceilings.

A stylish pendant with elaborate glass shades could totally change the look of your kitchen, making it look more graceful. And for task lighting over your dining table, try an additional kitchen pendant light. You could also add a Tiffany style lamp with homely images of succulent fruits for your home kitchen for the fitting warm and comfortable ambience.

The effect could also be increased with another light, the primary pendant for example. Similarly, a brightly lit up kitchen sink area could be used for tasks such as dish-washing or it could act as an accent or tone light too.