Pendant lighting is always a good option in a home. Whether you use pendant lights as an alternative to a traditional chandelier in the entryway or above the dining room, or as lighting in a bedroom, home office, or play area, pendant lights are one of the most versatile lighting options you can choose from. .
Of course, there are literally thousands of pendants to choose from on the market, from traditional designs to those that truly function as works of art in the home. Glass pendant lights are particularly popular, largely because they offer homeowners a mix of traditional and modern design elements that are both classic and timeless.
Depending on their design, glass pendant lights can fit perfectly in a rustic, country-inspired home or a modernist home filled with contemporary furnishings. That’s partly because glass is an ideal material for making lamps, as it has an organic, natural quality that can take on chameleon qualities.
Glass pendant lights emit more light than a fabric-shaded counterpart. The light can be further modified by the color of the glass used in the lamp. Some glass lights come with opaque or transparent shades that will control the direction of the light. But others are clear, which allows the light to shine through, increasing the beauty and effectiveness of the lights.
One of the great things about glass pendants is that they can be both artistic and functional. If you are a fan of Dale Chihuly, you can get lamps in fiery colors or lamps that look like flowers or other sculptural shapes that will work beautifully in an entryway or on a staircase. In fact, you can get glass pendant lights that are specifically made as works of art – bold pieces that add splendor and a cascade of light to a living space.
Crystal pendants are especially well suited to a kitchen. Here you can use them over the kitchen island or get mini pendants that sit over countertops. These mini pendants also work well in a home office or above the bed in the master bedroom.
If you have children, you may want to add hangings above their play area. This will save you quite a bit of money on your energy bill, as your kids can simply turn on the light where they are playing, instead of turning on the light in the main room, which can use more electricity.
If you’re putting them in the play area, you may want to opt for acrylic lights instead of glass pendant lights. As any parent knows, kids can be pretty boisterous, and the lights inevitably end up getting in the way of an errant soccer ball or flying Barbie. It’s best to play it safe and get an unbreakable light.
Blown glass pendants are more popular than ever these days. Looking like they were made by a craftsman, they have small bubble-like imperfections on the surface, giving them a handcrafted look. Others have been blown to have a stained glass effect, being a mix of several different colors or shades of the same color. As such, no two are exactly alike, so combining them adds even more visual interest to the space. In fact, it’s hard for visitors to your home not to be captivated by accessories, given their slight imperfections and ever-changing shapes when hung over a living space.
Pendants, especially glass pendants, are a great addition to any home. Not only do they add the perfect amount of light to the space you’re trying to illuminate, they add a touch of elegance and old world charm that few other lights can. They clearly demonstrate that our love for glass endures, even into the 21st century.
