How to hang pendant lights

Pendant lights can add ambiance, define a space, make a statement, or blend into a room's decor. Philips Hue offers a range of pendant lights in different designs and sizes to match any style or size room — but one way to make sure it works well in the space is to consider its positioning and the height at which it hangs.

There is no single rule or measurement for how high a pendant light should hang. It depends on a few things: the height of the ceiling, the size of the fixture, and how many lumens the pendant light provides. 

Generally, pendant lights above tables should hang 23 to 31 inches above a surface. Luckily, many Philips Hue pendant lights come with a long cable that can be hidden inside the lamp’s casing so that you can adjust the height of the pendant light. Have someone hold the light in place at various heights so that you can see how it looks — and that it’s high enough to avoid being a distraction or hazard. 

Our picks: The Being pendant light is great for spaces that need bright light with not as much ceiling light, thanks to its flat design and warm-to-cool white light. The Flourish pendant light is a larger pendant light that makes more of an impact — and with its ability to shine light in 16 million colors, it can set the mood instantly.

If you decide to hang multiple pendant lights in a row, you’ll need to know how far apart you should space them. The distance between your pendant lights will depend on a few factors, including the size of the space, the size of the pendant light, and how much light you need. Generally, pendant lights should be spaced at equal intervals to ensure an even light distribution. 

Our pick: The Enchant pendant light is the perfect type of light to be used in multiples, thanks to its slender design.