How high should a pendant hang over the dining table?

The rule of thumb: 65 to 80 cm above the top

Measure from the table top, not from the floor or the ceiling. Ideally the bottom of the pendant hangs 65 to 80 cm above the top. The light then falls on the table, you don't look into the bulb and you can still see each other when seated.

Our tables are 75 cm high, so the bottom of the light ends up roughly 140 to 155 cm above the floor. Sit down for a moment before you fix it: if you can see the person opposite without the pendant in the way, it is right.

If in doubt, go for the middle of the range, around 70 cm. That works for most people, even when tall and short people share the table. A pendant on an adjustable cord or a pulley lets you fine-tune it later.

Higher or lower, depending on the light

Within that range, the pendant itself decides. A small or closed shade can hang lower, a large one or a light with open glass a little higher, so it does not dazzle.

A high ceiling does not change the height above the table, but it does change the scale. In a room three metres high, the pendant can be larger or have a longer suspension, so it does not look lost.

How wide should the pendant be?

A good proportion: the pendant is a third to half the width of your table. Keep its edge within the edge of the top, so nobody bumps their head when they stand up.

A pendant that is too small looks lost over a large table. One that is too large makes a small table feel heavy and blocks the view across it. The table below gives a starting point.

One pendant or several

Above a round table, one pendant hangs exactly over the centre. Above an oval or Danish oval table, one wide linear light works, or two to three identical pendants in a row. Leave about 60 to 80 cm between them, and keep about 30 cm from the ends of the table.

Important: hang the light over the table, not over the middle of the room. If the ceiling outlet is in the wrong place, a ceiling hook or an adjustable suspension helps. So first decide where your table goes, with enough free space around it. More on that in How much space do you need around a dining table?

Light on Mortex

Mortex is matt. Light from a pendant does not reflect off it but falls on it softly. The nuances of the surface come out beautifully, especially in the raking light of a pendant that does not hang too high.

Choose warm white light, around 2700 K, and ideally a dimmer: bright for work or homework, soft for long dinners. With dark colours, like BM57 Makala Intense in the photo, the light can be a little stronger. A rug under the table completes the picture: read Which rug under your dining table? And have a look at our Mortex tables.