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Mini Pendant Buyer's Guide
Mini pendants are hanging fixtures that are typically smaller than 12 inches. They provide task lighting for a space and the abundance of available designs also adds style, drama and substance to a room. The downward facing bulb provides direct light, making them ideal to illuminate workspaces.
Getting a Little More Complex
Mini pendant lights can either be wired directly into the ceiling or attached to a track lighting system. If you already have the wiring in place or are hiring someone to install them for you, you may consider individual pendants. If you only have one light fixture available but want multiple mini pendants, a track will probably be the best choice.
Once you’ve determined if you are going to use a track or not, you’ll need to get the proper voltage. Mini pendants will be available in either low voltage or line voltage.
Many mini pendants are low-voltage and will require a transformer to work properly. This means they will cut down the 120 volts topically running through a home’s electrical system to 12 volts. Some have built-in transformers, but others do not. Be sure to read the product description to determine if you will need any additional products before you install.
If a mini pendant is line voltage, it will use all 120 volts that typically run through a home’s electrical system. These lights will not require a transformer to work.
If you are planning on replacing existing mini pendants, you will probably be able to manage on your own, as long as you make sure to read all of the requirements carefully. If you are installing them for the first time, it may be a good idea to hire a professional because there are so many factors that influence a mini pendant choice.
Placement
The decorative nature of mini pendants combined with their direct and focused light make them ideal for task lighting. This, and the fact that they hang, makes them ideally suited for work areas, like above a kitchen island or a pool table. They would not be suitable for a hallway or other area where hanging lights would get in the way.
Mini pendants should be used in addition to general ambient lighting, because they do not provide enough general light to illuminate an entire room.
Choices, Choices, Choices
With so many styles and colors available, mini pendants can either complement décor or contrast it to create more visual interest. The styles can also be mixed-and-matched. Options range from hand-blown glass to crystal; an abundance of colors provide many choices for the consumer.
A single mini pendant can be used to highlight a specific area or object, while a series of pendant lights can add drama and much-needed task lighting.
Installation
Mini pendant lights should be positioned about two feet above the surface they are intended to illuminate. This will keep them in view and make them a more essential addition to the room’s décor than a light placed out of sight level. While mini pendants can be mixed and matched, they should hang about a foot to a foot-and-a-half apart and follow a symmetrical pattern.
