The Ultimate Guide To Glass Pendant Lights: Styles, Placement, And Buying Tips

Trends come and go, but good lighting stays forever. We’ve always had some sort of pendant hanging over the center points of our rooms, regardless of how time has changed. Glass pendant lights are among those that have survived home design trends and always made our homes shine (literally and figuratively speaking).

The choice of glass hanging lights depends on your current décor and the lighting goals you have in mind. This article will teach you how to choose them so you can bring life to your home.

Why Get Glass Pendant Lights?

You can never go wrong with pendant lights. And the ones made of glass don’t just illuminate your home. They can turn every space into a work of art if you choose the right style and placement.

Here’s why they never lost any of their popularity points:

·  Versatility

Pendant lights made of glass come in different styles. Homeowners choose from industrial to modern, bohemian, and classic. They’re also available in countless colors, which makes them a versatile choice.

·  Light Distribution

Glass catches light naturally. When it surrounds a lightbulb, it disperses it throughout the room. This creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that you can adjust based on your needs.

·  Easy To Clean

Blown or handmade glass pendant lights don’t gather dust like wood and fabric fixtures do. All it takes is a quick wipe, and they’re good to go. This makes them a low-maintenance option for any space, be it your home, office, or a public place.

Types Of Glass Pendant Lights

Glass hanging lights come in different types, depending on your preferences and available space. Here are just some examples of what you can choose from.

1. Single-Pendant Lights

Single-pendant lights are the perfect choice for smaller spaces. That’s because they have only one globe or glass piece attached to a single light. You can buy them in multiple styles, whether you are looking to get a modern or a vintage vibe. They are also affordable since they don’t use a lot of glass. They’re a good choice for a desk area or a reading nook.

2.   Multi-Pendant Lights

Multi-pendant lights are a suitable choice if you want a bolder look and have a larger space to work with. These have multiple pendants grouped and connected to a single base. They are either in a clustered or linear form, the former offering an artistic touch. The latter spreads the light over a broader surface. Linear pendant lights are the most popular nowadays, due to their ability to stylishly save space.

3. Mini Pendant Lights

If you have a smaller room but want to focus on charm, mini pendant lights are a great alternative. These are smaller than your average single pendant light, and many of them are easily installed on a wall. This makes them a good choice for vanities or a nightstand.

4.   Drum Pendant Lights

As their name suggests, drum pendant lights look pretty much like a drum suspended from the ceiling. These lights have a drum-shaped glass shade that diffuses the light, especially when using colored or frosted glass. We recommend them for dining rooms or even bedrooms, should you want a soft ambient light source.

Common Glassware Types For Pendant Lights

While it may seem that most glass pendant lights are made the same way, there are multiple glassmaking methods used to craft them. The most common styles are:

·  Murano Glass: Murano glass is known for its fine craftsmanship, beautiful details, and vibrant colors. Despite always holding steady value, Murano glass saw a big popularity spike after the pandemic. For instance, in 2022, Murano Glass popularity grew by up to 35% compared to the year before.

·  Bohemian Glass: Bohemian glass is known for its intricate designs and antique appearance. You can get it in clear or colored cuts, and it elegantly reflects light in the interior.

·  Roman Glass: Yet another elegant choice, Roman glass adds character and an air of iridescence. Real Roman glass pendant lights are rare due to their values, but plenty of artisans out there try to mimic the aesthetics.

·  Etched or Frosted Glass: Perhaps the most common type of glass for pendants, these soften the light and are available in many colors. They’re a great choice to create ambient light.

Some options, such as Murano or frosted lights, are the most common, but you have to choose the one that suits your home design. Do some research and find the ones that fit your eye for aesthetics.

Common Placements For Pendant Lights Made Of Glass

The great thing about pendant lights is that you can hang them pretty much anywhere and instantly create a stylish home decor. That said, you should take into account things such as function or room size. Here are some ideas that can inspire your placement efforts.

1. Above The Kitchen Island

The kitchen island is one of those areas where you’ll need plenty of space. When you’re cooking, you require the best visibility. Pendant lights can help you achieve that. They also add more elegance to a space that is mostly used for practical purposes.

You can use three single pendant lights or one multi-pendant lighting option to add visual appeal without overwhelming it.

2.   Over The Dining Table

Dining rooms have always been the top place for pendant lights. After all, most of us grew up with a chandelier in the living room, and it was usually placed right over the dining table.

You can get a single pendant light fixture if you want a more subtle effect, but multi-pendant light fixtures are more dramatic and create an interesting interplay of glass reflections and colors. Always make sure to consider the style of the room before making your choice, as ideally, your pendant light fixture has to match the overall interior design of the space.

3. On The Side Of The Bed

Lamps on the side of the bed are cool, but they take up unnecessary space that could be used for something else (e.g., a book, or your phone/tablet). They also make a room look cluttered.

Instead, try hanging some glass pendant lights over the side of the bed. On the plus side, if you don’t have a nightstand, hanging lights made of glass illuminate just the area you need and make it easy to reach the light without leaving the bed.

4.   Along The Hallway

Hallways tend to be dull, but they’re also the first thing that people see when they enter your home. A good way to bring them to life is to install some glass hanging lights.

If you have a tall ceiling in the hallway, go for a single or a multi-pendant light that you can install on the ceiling. However, if the ceiling is low, the pendant lights will not create the desired effect and make walking in the hallway challenging. In such cases, you can go for another type of light fixture, such as wall sconces.

5. Over A Freestanding Tub

If you have a larger bathroom with a freestanding tub, you should consider hanging the pendant light over the bathtub. Multi-pendant lights are fantastic for an elegant, rich look, but single pendants fit a more minimalistic profile.

Just make sure the pendant light you choose is moisture-safe and has been approved for bathrooms.

Tips To Buy Glass Pendant Lights

Not all pendant lights are a great fit for your needs, even if they look beautiful. Here are some tips to ensure you make the right choice:

·  Measure the room to choose pendant lighting that complements the room instead of overwhelming everything

·  Match the style of the pendant light with your furniture and the rest of your home décor

·  Choose the glass based on the effect you want to get

·  Make sure the fixture works with the type of bulbs you intend to use

·  Choose something that catches and delivers lightning the way you want it to

It might take some time until you find the right choice, but ensure you focus on quality. A reliable glass object provider should be able to guide you.

The Bottom Line

Glass pendant lights set the mood for every room and make the space look more elegant. Make sure you conduct due diligence to ensure the choice you make is fitting. Other than that, pick something that matches not only your taste, but also the personality of your home.