Bright Colored Pendant Lighting for Kitchens

Adding pendant lights is one of the easiest ways we can transform the look and feel of our kitchens. Beyond just providing much-needed task lighting over countertops and islands, the right pendant lights also infuse color, ambiance and character into the space. When selected thoughtfully, bright colored pendants can highlight kitchen zones, balance out cabinetry finishes, and coordinate beautifully with the room's interior decor accents.

From style recommendations to savvy placement tips, read on for our complete guide to picking, planning and installing pendants that pack a colorful punch.

Colored Pendant Lights Transform Kitchens

Typically made of glass or acrylic, colored pendent lights shed radiant beams of light through their translucent shades. Available in a rainbow of pure, saturated hues like ruby red and sea glass blue, these pendants add pops of brightness in slate gray and white toned kitchens. Mixing multiple colored pendants over an island or bar area creates an inviting focal point brimming with cheery personality.

Add Vibrancy and Character

Bright colored kitchen pendants infuse spaces with vibrant energy. Much more whimsical than basic clear glass shades, colored pendants lend lots of style and character to boring kitchens stuck in a decor rut. Their radiant hues instantly perk up stale, all-white spaces begging for a face lift.

Coordinate with Interior Decor Themes

Plan out pendant placements and color choices to complement your kitchen's interior design theme. For coastal spaces, select translucent sea glass pendants in serene aqua blue and sage green. In industrial loft kitchens, metallic pendants in glossy cherry red or taxi cab yellow play beautifully against exposed brick walls and concrete floors. For bohemian kitchens, a clustered pendant display mixing pink, purple and turquoise glass shades channels free-spirited energy.

Highlight and Define Kitchen Zones

Use bright pendants to spotlight important kitchen areas. Define snack bars and kitchen islands from surrounding cabinetry by hanging vibrant color pendants directly overhead. Bright yellow pendants give an energizing focal glow over sinks and cleaning zones. For dining nooks or table spaces, hang marine blue glass pendants low oversurfaces to create intimate yet cheerful lighting ambiance.

Choosing the Right Colored Pendant Lights

Selecting colored pendant fixtures goes way beyond just picking pretty colors. To end up with a functional, balanced kitchen lighting plan, consider the following factors:

Consider Size of Kitchen and Pendant Spacing

First, determine the general size guidelines for your pendant lights. Measure the square footage of your kitchen footprint, islands, dining areas and bar spaces needing task lighting. As a general rule of thumb, plan one pendant light per 2-4 linear feet. This allows for optimal spotlight coverage without shadows or dark spots.

Over islands and bars, allow 30-36 inches between adjacent pendants for best illumination. For higher 10+ foot ceilings, scale up pendant sizes so they don't get lost floating small against tall walls and cabinetry. Adjust drop lengths so pendants hang between 28-34 inches above task surfaces for ideal task lighting brightness.

Match Style to Kitchen Cabinetry and Counters

Choose colored pendant styles harmonizing with your kitchen's existing features. For contemporary spaces with glossy cabinetry, sleek drum or curved oval pendants work nicely. Farmhouse kitchens with wood countertops and exposed ceiling beams deserve artisan-crafted pendants with visible filaments. Transitional kitchens can mix colored glass pendants alongside clear glass contemporary styles for lots of layered depth.

Select Colors That Make You Happy

Determine which colors boost your mood, inspire you in the kitchen and make you smile. Warm tones like amber, coral and marigold yellow spark cozy feelings. Cool tones like sea glass green and sky blue evoke tranquil, relaxing vibes. Love bright pops of color? Opt for cherry red or lipstick pink pendants. There are no wrong color choices if they make your heart sing!

Popular Color Options

The light fixtures aisle offers an endless spectrum of vibrant colored pendants. Here are some of the most popular styles lighting up kitchens today:

Vintage Styles Like Tiffany or Moravian Star

Channeling Old-World European charm, these elegantly crafted pendants feature handmade colored glass with copper foil accents. Many designs depict spring flower and fruit motifs. Their striking yet delicate beauty adds a romantic glow over dining nooks.

Bold Colors Like Red, Yellow, Green

Make a cheerful decor statement with primary color pendants in glossy red, sunflower yellow or zingy lime green. Clustering same-color pendants tightly together amps up dramatic visual intensity. We love displaying primary hues against neutral white backdrops for maximum vibrant pop.

Soft Colors Like Sea Glass or Light Pink

For serene, relaxing and informal kitchen lighting ambiance, soft colored pendants positively glow. Hues like sea glass, blush pink, lavender and pale melon evoke a gentle, welcoming mood. Group just a few soft colored pendants loosely rather than tightly over islands and dining areas.

Placement of Colored Kitchen Pendants

Mindful positioning of colored pendant lights keeps kitchen spaces logically zoned for various needs like meal prep, cleaning, dining and homework. Try these clever spots to hang vibrant pendants:

Over Islands, Bars and Counters

Islands and bars deserve dedicated task lighting, perfect for showing off those colorful pendants. Allow proper clearance so chairs and barstools slide easily underneath fixtures without bumping heads. Position pendants evenly so light coverage doesn't leave darker gaps.

Above the Sink

Draw attention to this hardworking area with 1-2 vibrant colored pendants floating over the sink space. This adds cheeriness to tedious cleanup duties, keeps counter space brightly lit for meal prep and highlights lovely window views beyond.

Over the Dining Table

Define intimate dining nooks tucked into kitchen corners or alcoves using pendants in lighter, softer hues. For larger eat-in table and chair groupings, mix 3-5 pendants in an eclectic color and style blend for lots of fun and personality.

Ways to Showcase Colored Pendant Lights

Once you've mapped optimal pendant placement, it's time for creative display planning. Use these design ideas to draw maximum focus on your colorful new pendants:

Hang Pendants in Groups at Varying Heights

Display pendants in clustered groups of three, five or seven fixtures. Stagger pendant heights high, medium and low for lots of dimensional intrigue. Lower pendants relate better to human scale while far-above pendants feel like cheerful floating art.

Use Pendants of Mixed Colors in Focal Areas

Select a color theme like red and yellow, then choose pendants in varying red and yellow hues. Over islands, bars, tables and desks, cluster your mix of same-color pendants keeping drops consistent. The tight cluster keeps the color scheme cohesive yet interesting.

Backlight Colored Pendants Against Decorative Walls

Take vibrant pendants to the next level by backlighting them against an accent wall painted a deep, saturated hue. For example, illuminate cherry red pendants against a coordinating red wall. The pendants will glow like colorful lanterns, taking on an almost magical aura. It's a neat designer trick for serious visual impact!

Energy Efficiency Considerations

While aesthetics understandably dominate pendant planning, don't overlook critical functional factors like electrical loads and eco-friendly efficiency:

Choose ENERGY STAR-Rated Pendant Lights

Help curb energy waste by selecting colored pendants with ENERGY STAR certification. Many LED and fluorescent models like CFL meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines without sacrificing pretty design.