The 12 Best Pendant Lights of 2023 for Every Style

Best Overall

Sea Gull Lighting Dormer 1-Light Pendant

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For an eye-catching silhouette that'll stun in your home, consider Sea Gull Lighting's Dormer Pendant. The industrial-style pendant light is budget-friendly and offered in multiple finishes, so it's easy to create your ideal look.

The lamp’s shade is made up of two parts—a steel ellipse that matches the lamp’s base and a metal shade that fans out. This shade is relatively short, so it exposes the bulb underneath it, adding yet another geometric element into the mix.

The fixture is crafted entirely from steel and is offered in three sleek finishes—solid brass, solid silver, or black and brass. The pendant is damp-rated as well, meaning it's as suited for bathrooms as it is for a kitchen or bedroom.

Price at time of publish: $66

_{Material: Steel | Weight: Not listed | Installation: Hardwired | Water-friendly: Yes}

Best Budget

Steelside Cadence Single Geometric Pendant

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With an affordable price, an adjustable hanging height, and sleek modern style cues, Steelside’s Cadence Single Geometric Pendant is a light that’ll look great pretty much anywhere. The single-bulb pendant is slim and perfect for open spaces, thanks to its matte metal geometric cage “shade” that wraps around a 100-watt light bulb. This pendant light is LED compatible, which means you can make it energy-efficient, and thanks to its adjustable nature, you can hang it anywhere from 18 to 80 inches. Did we mention it’s also compatible with dimmer switches and sloped ceilings for even more customization?

The durable steel construction of the light also makes it nicely durable. However, it isn’t the brightest pick and may perform best in smaller rooms. Additionally, the hanging cord for the pendant doesn’t straighten out easily; it tends to stay kinked even weeks after being installed. However, for the price, it’s an effective and attractive pendant light that’ll get the job done while looking great. 

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Material: Metal | Weight: 3 pounds | Installation: Hardwired | Water-Friendly: No}

Best Set

Pottery Barn McCarthy Three-Light Glass Pendant

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Illuminate your space with Pottery Barn’s McCarthy 3-Light Glass Pendant, which makes a great addition in smaller rooms and open, airy spaces. Featuring three pendants (and three lights) hanging from one central plate, each light features its own unique wavy blown glass shape and appearance. There’s a little vintage flair, thanks to the Edison bulbs that illuminate your space with soft yellow light, and the curved silhouettes add a touch of elegance. Best of all, it looks more expensive than its reasonable price implies.

Just keep in mind that this pendant light set can’t be mounted onto sloped or slanted ceilings, which may be limiting in some rooms or homes. Once it’s hardwired in, the fixture also isn’t compatible with dimmer switches; it can be turned on or off only. Ultimately, though, these details don’t detract from it being a great fit in most homes and with many different decor styles. 

Price at time of publish: $249

_{Material: Blown glass, steel frame | Weight: 14 pounds | Installation: Hardwired | Water-Friendly: No}

Best Splurge

Anthropologie Eloise Pendant

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Anthropologie's Eloise Pendant is a bit of an investment piece, but the vintage-inspired design makes a case for why it's worth it. The light is offered in two colors, blue, and mint, and you can choose between a hardwired or plug-in style for the white option, making it easy to find an option that works perfectly in your home.

The pendant’s base is crafted from plated metal, which is coated with an oiled bronze finish for an antique look. Take a closer look at this metal, and you’ll notice that ornate leaves have been carved into it, only furthering its vintage appeal. The lamp’s shade is crafted from cloudy milk glass—an opaque material that promises to spread light throughout your space. This cloudiness makes the lamp a great pick for rooms where you crave diffused, ambient light, like in a bedroom or living room.

Though professional installation is required, the lighting comes with a mounting plate and pole kit, so you'll have everything you need to set it up.

Price at time of publish: $358

_{Material: Glass, brass | Weight: 10.25 pounds | Power source: Hardwired or plug-in | Water-friendly: Yes}

Best for Kitchen

Globe Electric Nate 4-Light Oil Rubbed Bronze Pendant

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Globe Electric's Nate Pendant replaces the need to stock up on several different pendant lights. The design descends from the ceiling and then branches out into four smaller lamps, which are displayed in a row. This mimics the look and feel of a row of pendant lights but lets you skip out on the process of installing more than one fixture.

This pendant set would be especially attractive over a kitchen island or long dining table. "Island chandeliers tend to be wider and narrower to spread light across more rectangular-shaped areas," says Johnson. "They also create visual interest that reinforces the home style and decor, and are a natural focal point that draws the eye to the kitchen island, which is oftentimes the heart of day-to-day activity in the home."

This light will demand a fair amount of space in your kitchen, but since it’s designed to replace four different pendant lights, it ends up being a pretty space-efficient pick that'll illuminate your kitchen or dining room with ease.

Price at time of publish: $159

_{Material: Glass, metal | Weight: 10 pounds | Power source: Hardwired | Water-friendly: Not listed}

Best for Bathroom

AllModern Alex 1 - Light Single Globe Pendant

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AllModern’s Alex 1 - Light Single Globe Pendant is a classic globe light that would look good anywhere in your home, although its sleek profile makes it a particularly great pick for your bathroom. The light is crafted from metal and is suitable for damp environments, meaning it won't be damaged by contact with water.

Since the light’s globe is relatively opaque, it should disperse ambient light throughout your space. It's dimmable, however, so you can choose how much lighting you want in the space. Hang two in your bathroom to frame your vanity, or simply hang one in the corner of your space. With a light this versatile, it’s pretty hard to go wrong.

Price at time of publish: $218

_{Material: Metal | Weight: 6 pounds | Power source: Hardwired | Water-friendly: Yes}

Best for Bedrooms

Wade Logan Black Hanceville 1

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Whether you're tight on space or want to forego a traditional table lamp, Wade Logan's Hanceville 1 - Light Single Schoolhouse Pendant will make for a stylish addition to any space. The light, which is offered in either a brass or black finish, is a plug-in design that makes it easy to install.

The lamp features a glass shade that works with a variety of design aesthetics, from industrial to transitional and beyond. Plus, it's designed with an on/off switch that's easy to use, especially once you're comfortable in bed.

Price at time of publish: $89

_{Material: Glass | Weight: Not listed | Power source: Plug-in | Water-friendly: No}

Best Plug-in

Schoolhouse Apartment Plug-In Pendant

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For a light that's easy to install, consider plug-in options like Schoolhouse's Apartment Plug-In Pendant. The light will plug right into any outlet and would work well in a bedroom, at-home office, kitchen, or living room.

The light is offered in two finishes, black and khaki, and is made with a twisted cord design that'll add extra style to your space. Note both the matching swinger hooks and 2.25-inch fitter will have to be purchased separately—there's a matching option, but the design also leaves room to choose any shade style of your choosing.

Price at time of publish: $189

_{Material: Brass | Weight: Not listed | Power source: Plug-in | Water-friendly: Not listed}

Best Farmhouse

Pottery Barn Farmhouse Glass Pole Pendant

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Pottery Barn’s Farmhouse Glass Pole Pendant offers a minimal take on the classic dome light, making it a versatile yet farmhouse-friendly pick. The light, which is offered in five hardware finishes, features a clear glass shade that'll increase the amount of light in your space.

The hardwired light includes five rod options, making the light suitable for three different ceiling heights. It's damp UL listed, meaning it's suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens as well as bathrooms.

_{Material: Glass | Weight: 4 pounds | Installation: Hardwired | Water-friendly: Yes}

Best Modern

Tomons Pendant Light

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If your design style skews toward modern design, you'll appreciate the Tomons Pendant Light. The lamp’s shade is crafted from black metal and its interior is a warm metallic gold—a sleek yet versatile combination that'll stun in any home.

The budget-friendly lamp is offered in two colors—black and white. Whether you're designing a living room, bedroom, or at-home office, the versatile piece will add a warm touch of style to your space. Each light comes with one light bulb, so it'll be ready to use.

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Material: Metal | Weight: 4.05 pounds | Installation: Hardwired | Water-friendly: Not listed}

Best Rattan

Highland Dunes Medrano 1 - Light Single Bell Pendant

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Rattan pendant lights can be a great way to add some texture to your space. And since Highland Dunes' Medrano Pendant comes in a light beige finish, it's versatile enough to match a variety of home decor you may already have.

The lamp is crafted from woven rattan, and its long dome shade promises to provide a blend of targeted and ambient light. This design makes the light a great pick for a variety of different rooms, and its gentle palette makes it an even more versatile option. Pair the piece with vibrant prints to make it feel a little more bohemian, or use it to add a welcome dose of texture to an otherwise minimalist space.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Material: Rattan | Weight: 1.94 pounds | Installation: Hardwired | Water-friendly: No}