10 best pendants lights to illuminate your living space

Best: For refined elegance

This simple, sophisticated pendant (31cm x 21cm, with a total drop of up to 92cm) is as elegant as they come and would suit a small space, such as a landing, but we can’t help but think that it’s crying out to be positioned over a dining table. We especially like the graphite-grey shade of the fitting; it’s much less in-your-face than dazzling chrome and complements the grey ridged glass design beautifully. Chic and versatile, and a great price, too.

Best: For large rooms

Rustic yet chic, we can see this beaded pendant looking perfectly at home in a farmhouse-style kitchen or large living room. And it is definitely best suited to a big space – the shade measures 78cm x 78cm and the drop can be up to a whopping 91cm. The pale pine beads are hand threaded and give off a soft, diffused light when the pendant is turned on.

It’s weighty at almost 6kg, but that’s testament to its build quality; it may look dainty but it’s actually very robust. And we couldn’t stop touching the beads! A lovely, pared-back take on a classic chandelier shape. You can sign up to be notified when this one becomes available again.

Best: For a kitchen island

This single strip of wood with two funky orange ends looks absolutely nothing like a pendant light, and that’s precisely the point. At a metre long, it was made to be hung over a kitchen or possibly a long, rectangular dining table, and the supporting wires are so discreet it almost looked like it was floating in mid-air when we held it aloft. A frosted effect stops the built-in LED appearing too harsh. Unobtrusive yet eye-catching, this is one for lovers of minimal design.

Best: For modern or luxe schemes

We were really taken by this stunningly simple pendant, it immediately brought to mind the indoor hanging planter trend that’s so popular right now. This gold metal and matte-white glass design is so versatile it would look good in any room, but we think it would make a great alternative to a table lamp in the corner of a living room or instead of lamps either side of a bed. The super-generous flex length is 250cm, so it could easily be suspended at a very low height for reading, and gives off a warm light that isn’t too harsh.

Best: For small spaces

This smart update of a traditional fisherman’s-style pendant light is fresh and elegant and ideal for a coastal-inspired or modern country scheme. We really like the sturdy, gloss-white metal shade which gives a lovely downward-cast light. At 29cm in diameter, the Tennyson pendant works best in small spaces or as part of a row of pendants in a larger room. The matt-black version is a great match for industrial-style decor and both colours have a timeless quality that won’t date. This one will be available in July.

Best: For industrial-style decor

Each one of these metal mesh pendant lights is handmade, with their imperfect lumps and bumps and non-uniform shape only adding to their charm. The thing that struck us most was how tactile it is and that it looks just as impressive when the light is switched off. In keeping with its industrial design, we added a bulb with a decorative filament for maximum impact. The copper colour of the mesh and matching ceiling rose is a warm, earthy red rather than yellow-toned hue, and it’s also available in black. At 37cm high and 36cm in diameter, it’s ideal for medium-sized rooms, and there’s a larger size, too.

Best: For quirky good looks

If you’re looking for something a little different, this eye-catching shade in red tanaro marbled paper (one of 41 designs) will fit the bill. The paper is thick and sturdy and the brass fittings – which are ?18 each and available in four colours – are really high quality. We also like the olive green twisted cord flex, which makes a nice change from the more common black, grey and white that most pendant lights have. It’s small but perfectly formed, measuring 18cm in diameter and 14cm high, so we think it would look best hung above a small dining table, or grouped in a trio for even more impact.

Best: For making a statement

Remember when we said that lighting is often an afterthought? This stunning pendant is a prime example of why it shouldn’t be, and how easily it can transform a room. If you’re lucky enough to have a large hallway, this design will make a fantastic first impression that, at the same time, isn’t too showy. Each incredibly detailed leaf is made from metal with a distressed gold effect, and together they give a feeling of movement, like foliage falling from a tree. Considering its size (W30cm x D38cm x H49cm) and intricate design, we’d expect to pay more than the ?185 price tag.

Best: For directional light

Industrial in style but with a much softer edge courtesy of its gorgeous dusky pink shade, this pendant is unfussy yet chic. The solid metal shade makes this pendant best suited to task lighting in a kitchen or as ambient lighting over a dining table, as the light is projected down, rather than out. The brushed gold bracket is a nice decorative touch but it’s functional too: the shade can be moved on the hinge, should you want to direct the light to a specific area. Smart, versatile and very affordable.

Best: For grouping together

This slim, designer-chic light reminds us of something you’d find in a cool cafe or bar, but it’d also look perfectly at home above a kitchen island, especially if hung in a pair. But at just ?29 each, there’s no reason not to go for three. Having said that, this pale grey and brass light has no shade to obscure the light, so just one will illuminate a large room despite its diminutive size. Whether you choose one, two or three, make sure you choose a decorative bulb – either one with an interesting shape or a funky filament – for maximum impact.