How to Determine Height to Hang Pendants Above a Kitchen Island

Assess the way you use your kitchen island. If you have a sink or stovetop on the island along one side, users will use the island while standing along this side. If the other side of the island has a seating area, users will use the island while seated along that side. If the island has both standing and seated areas, consider both uses as you assess the way you use the island.

Have the tallest person who will use the island stand along the side of the island that contains the stovetop or sink. Ask someone else to sit at the other side of the island, if applicable.

Hold the pendant lights so the bottom of the lights is at about 30 inches above the counter surface of the island.

Check the visibility of the standing person as he looks across the island to the person sitting on the other side. If the person’s vision enables him to see easily without the pendant lighting interfering and without ducking his head, the hanging height is suitable. If the standing person needs to duck his head to see across the island, raise the lights about 3 inches.