10 Designer Rooms That Will Convince You to Hang Multiple Pendant Lights at Different Heights
Lighting can make or break a room—and since we're here to spotlight the bright side, we'll focus on the former. Great lighting changes the way you experience a place for the better, whether it's a mood boost thanks to exposure to natural light, circadian rhythm regulation as a result of ambient lighting with the right bulbs and dimmers, higher efficiency and increased safety from strategically placed task lighting, and most exciting, more visual intrigue brought by statement fixtures that double as architectural character, artwork, and/or dimensional decor.
So as a design editor, I'm always on the lookout for innovative ways designers are playing with lighting. Of course, a statement chandelier is always an option, but my new favorite trend is a little more interesting—not to mention, infinitely customizable. Plus, if recent examples are proof, it seems to have real staying power. I call it the staggered pendant effect. Though there are no distinct rules, there are a few characteristics that set it apart: 1) There are at least three pendants suspended from the ceiling in one room, 2) they're either scattered around a room or clustered in one area together but always vary in distance from the ceiling, and 3) the composition is one-of-a-kind, even if the pendant itself is a mass-produced budget buy and not a customized investment.
Another fun twist is using pendants of shapes and sizes to play up that variation even further, but the goal is to create balance without relying on the standardized concept of symmetry as binary. Plus, the seemingly random orientation and combination make it feel like a happy accident. Much like wallpapering, mirroring, or painting a ceiling, this trend incorporates the fifth wall to really complete a room by creating depth and intrigue from above—except this time, in the third dimension. Ahead, see the different ways designers have experimented with this lighting trend and consider recreating your favorite version in your own home.
Bedroom Statement

The large windows in this primary bedroom designed by Atelier ND and Carice Van Houten draw the eye straight ahead, and while the forest views are certainly calming, the light installation overhead also makes the interior space well worth admiring. The paint color, Pontefract by Paint & Paper Library, is so unique it defies definition—which is one of the many reasons the design team chose it, and it provides a lovely backdrop for the pendants sourced and repurposed from an old church.
Dining Room Hack

Globe-shaped rice paper globes light up this room designed by Chloe Aldrich of Redmond Aldrich Design. Here's the best part: You can buy rice paper pendants for less than $10, so if you want to experiment with this trend and have the right wiring setup already, you don't have to spend a ton to get in on the fun.
Stairwell Installation

If you have high ceilings, or if your entryway leads right to an open stairwell, consider a statement installation like this one. One bold light fixture can do the trick, but hanging a few different pendants can be even more sculptural and grand. It doubles as art in a space that doesn't have much usable floor room for other decorative accents while also drawing the eye up instantly. The chrome material used in this home designed by Heather Hilliard reflects the stairwell in every direction, giving it a wild infinity effect.
Nautical Home Bar Motif

Designed by Tamsin Johnson, this coastal home bar is both playful and sophisticated. She opted for sea creature-shaped rattan pendants, and suspended them at different heights to make it feel like you're swimming under the sea. Read More...