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Bowl and Large Pendants Buyers Guide
If you are looking for an eye-catching lighting fixture to hang in your home but aren’t completely sold on the idea of a chandelier, then pendant lighting might be the perfect option for you. Bowl and large pendants are beautiful designed, often dramatic lighting that any guest will immediately notice without the business of multiple arms, directions, beads and crystals.
Where Will it Hang
When shopping for ceiling lighting such as bowl pendants or large pendants it is important to start by scoping out your home to determine where the light hang and what special considerations you may need to take into account. For example, do you already have existing lighting fixtures so you can easily wire your new pendant up with just a few wire connectors and screws? Or do you need to wire in a new fixture? If this is the case it might be a good idea to bring in a professional electrician unless you are known to be particularly handy and will start any project with a trip to the breaker box to turn off the electricity.
Not Too Low, Not Too High
Next, determine how low you want your new pendant to hang. It shouldn’t hang so low that tall people could potentially hit their head or simply feel that it is hovering to close, but also needs to hang enough to get the full look and feel of a hanging pendant rather than a pendant cramped up near the ceiling.
When shopping for a bowl or large pendant take into account whether it hangs on a chain that can be lengthened and shortened or if it is a set length that cannot be adjusted and purchase according to your needs. Remember that not all chains can be easily adjusted and refer to product specifications to determine if it will work for what you need.
Dust Off the Calculator
Next consider how bright your pendant will need to be to create the perfect amount of ambient light for your home. Different light bulb types, different amounts of light bulbs and wattage will determine how bright the pendant can be. A good formula to use is:
- • Room Length x Room Width x 1.5 = Required wattage to light a room
- • This equation is ideal for ambient (general purpose lighting) as opposed for task lighting used to read or write under.
Stylize
Once you have determined all the technical aspects of your new pendant light you can start shopping for style. Find a light which matches the general design of your home such as modern or traditional and then choose based on your general taste and preference. Be sure to note things such as color and finish so that your pendant can blend well with other products in the same room such as a nickel pendant to match nickel knobs and pulls used in the kitchen.
