The Correct Height For Pendant Lights Over The Kitchen Sink

Hanging a pendant over your sink can provide both functional kitchen task lighting and aesthetic value. Once you've selected the perfect pendant to complete your kitchen design, though, the next step is deciding how high to hang it. Without specific direction from you, the electrician might make the choice for you or ask for a quick decision on the fly –- therefore, it's smart to do your planning ahead of time to ensure you are happy with the final result. 

First off, don't expect a "one size fits all" answer here. In the standard US kitchen building code requirements, there is no minimum distance for hanging lights above a sink (though always check for any local codes to ensure you're in compliance). So, without a code to defer to, what is the best way to determine the proper hanging height of your gorgeous new sink pendant?

The general height range for hanging lights over a sink was developed as an average distance off the countertop that would be high enough to avoid impeding sightlines but also low enough that the fixture still effectively illuminates the countertop surface below with task lighting. Serving both purposes, the typical range used as a starting point is 30 to 40 inches from the counter. However, the key to tailoring this measurement to your home is to adjust from a standard based on your particular ceiling height, pendant size, sink location, and height of family members.

In order to determine the best hanging height for your particular scenario, the first consideration is the ceiling height: If you have tall ceilings, for example, you will want to raise your pendant to keep it in scale with the room. On average, it is recommended to add about three inches to the height for every foot above an eight-foot ceiling. For example, if you have a ten-foot ceiling, you will want to add six more inches to the height above standard. Fixture size plays a role in the final height, as well. If you have an oversized fixture, you may want to raise it up higher than the recommended range to keep it from feeling too heavy or invasive. Larger fixtures can feel better balanced and properly scaled in a space when they are mounted higher up.

The next factor to consider for varying the hanging height of your light fixture is the pendant type. While downward-facing task lighting pendants need to be close enough to actually light up the surface (meaning they should be near the typical recommended range), purely decorative chandelier-style pendants with upward-facing lights can be mounted higher, since they do not provide task lighting anyway. Kitchens with a strictly decorative pendant over the sink, such as over an island, are supported by plenty of functional recessed lighting, so the pendants get to be the fancy jewelry of the space, just there for some sparkle.

The final set of adjustments are based on the height of your family members and sink location. If you were to hang your pendant 30 inches above the 36 inch countertop, that would put the bottom of the fixture at five foot six inches from the floor. Is your family very tall? Well, this could mean a lot of head-bumping! It's your house, so take your height into consideration.

In addition, if the sink is on the kitchen island or in front of a window, your low fixture may block the view. Since line of sight is entirely the point of the sink placement in either of those locations, raise your fixtures high enough to have a clear eye line.

Note that these are each individual recommendations to consider for finding the right range for your particular scenario. In the ten-foot ceiling example, where you are already hanging your fixture six inches higher than normal, that adjustment would more than cover a tall six-foot-high family member, meaning something between 36 and 46 inches from the counter would likely feel right. Once you have your adjusted range, of course, the easiest way to know the perfect height for sure is to have your electrician hold the light in place so you can visualize it with all other elements in the space. Bonus points if your tall family member tests it out for you before your electrician installs!