Between the tabletop and the bottom of the light, allow 75 to 85 cm. At this height, the light covers the whole table, nobody has the bulb in their eyes and guests can see each other over the pendant. That is the basic rule; the rest of this article explains when and how to deviate from it.
Why 75 to 85 cm?
When seated, your eyes are about 1.15 m from the floor. A standard table is 75 cm high. If the bottom of the pendant is 80 cm above the tabletop, it sits at 1.55 m from the floor: just above the eye line of people seated, and below that of an adult standing nearby. The light falls onto the plates without glare, and the pendant remains visible as an object, not an obstacle.
Below 70 cm, the pendant cuts the view from one side of the table to the other and warms the tops of heads. Above 90 cm, the light scatters, the table feels less intimate and the pendant seems to “float” at the ceiling.
How to measure without getting it wrong
Always measure from the tabletop to the lowest point of the light, not from the ceiling. Two useful reference points:
- The bottom of the pendant sits between 1.50 m and 1.60 m from the floor for a 75 cm table.
- If the cable is adjustable, install the light, sit down, then adjust: the bottom line of the pendant should pass above the heads of your guests.
Installation tip: before drilling, hang a piece of string from the ceiling down to 80 cm above the table and live with it for two days. You will see straight away whether it gets in the way or blocks the view.
Should the height be adapted to the ceiling?
The rule is calculated from the table, not from the ceiling: a high ceiling therefore does not change the height of the light, it only lengthens the cable. One nuance all the same:
| Ceiling height | Distance table → bottom of light | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2.40 m | 70 to 75 cm | Choose a flat model; a 50 cm sphere would take up too much room. |
| 2.50 to 2.70 m | 75 to 85 cm | The standard case. |
| 3 m and above | 80 to 90 cm | A larger or taller light avoids the “washing line” effect. |
With a 3 m ceiling, a wide disc such as the Wabilo micro-cement pendant (80 or 100 cm) hangs low without looking lost: its width fills the space the cable has freed up.
One light or several?
It all depends on the shape of the table.
Round or square table
A single pendant, centred, with a diameter of about half to two-thirds of the table’s width. For a 120 cm round table, aim for a diameter of 60 to 80 cm. A woven shade such as the Denvia bamboo pendant, from our wood and rattan lights, comes in four diameters, which allows fine adjustment.
Rectangular or oval table
Beyond 1.60 m in length, a single pendant leaves the ends in shadow. Two solutions:
- Two or three identical pendants, spaced 60 to 80 cm apart, all at the same height. A small wooden model such as the Albreza dome lends itself well to repetition.
- A multi-head bar, which solves the problem with a single fixing point: the Arcova pendant, in black or in a gold finish, comes with 2 to 6 heads.
In all cases, leave at least 15 cm between the edge of the tabletop and the vertical line of the light closest to the edge.
And above a kitchen island?
An island is higher than a table (90 cm versus 75 cm) and you work at it standing up. So hang the light slightly higher: 70 to 80 cm above the worktop. We detail the number of pendants and their spacing in our article Lighting above a kitchen island.
Common mistakes
- Measuring from the ceiling. The table sets the rule. A light “1 m from the ceiling” means nothing until you know the height of the room.
- Forgetting the bare bulb. With a shade open at the bottom, you see the bulb as soon as you are seated below 75 cm. Choose an opal diffuser or a frosted bulb, or raise it a little.
- Centring on the room rather than on the table. If the cable outlet is not above the table, a ceiling hook lets you bring the light back to the right spot.
- Neglecting the output. For a table seating 6, allow 800 to 1,200 lumens in total, in warm light (2,700 to 3,000 K). See our guide Which colour temperature to choose, room by room.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a pendant hang above a coffee table?
A coffee table is not a work surface: what you want there is atmosphere, not reading light. Allow 1.20 to 1.40 m between the coffee table and the bottom of the light, so you can stand next to it without bumping your head.
Can the cable of a pendant be shortened?
Yes, most pendants have a cable that is adjusted at installation, often up to 1.5 or 2 m. If yours is fixed, an electrician can shorten it in a few minutes. Avoid coiling the excess at the ceiling: it is rarely attractive and sometimes dangerous.
What height if the table is also used as a desk?
Keep 80 to 85 cm to clear the view towards a screen, and add an adjustable table lamp for work. A pendant alone lights a keyboard poorly.
Is the height the same for a stone or glass pendant?
The rule does not change, but the visual weight does. A dense shade such as the Trava travertine pendant sits comfortably at the top of the range (85 cm) to let the table breathe; a clear glass globe can hang a little lower.
To remember: 75 to 85 cm between the table and the light, a diameter equal to half or two-thirds of the table, and several points of light as soon as the table exceeds 1.60 m. To choose the model, browse our pendant lights and our dining room lights.