Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lights for the Contemporary Home

Mid-century modern lighting is a trendsetting style that revitalizes a glorious period of design. The best of contemporary technology mixes with influences of the post-war decades surrounding the 1950s to create the mid-century modern design. With a blend of vintage and modern, pendant lights are an excellent choice to infuse mid-century modern design into today’s home.

Mid-century modern is a style of pendant lighting that is characterized by geometric shapes, clean lines, and authentic forms. These features are the result of playing with function and form while utilizing high-quality craftsmanship of the past. With a minimalist approach, mid-century modern pendant lights add functionality and beauty to a space without clutter or distraction.

Various Styles of Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lights

Mid-century modern pendant lights come in a variety of different shapes including drum, square, dome, globe, and teardrop. Some offer one-of-a-kind looks, such as the starry sputnik pendant or the inventive exposed bulb.

Color is important to consider when redesigning the lighting experience. White is the most popular color for the mid-century modern pendant light since it will blend in seamlessly with any existing décor. However, mid-century modern pendant lights come in many other colors including black, blue, brown, beige, and silver. Other finishes include brass, copper, and nickel. Colored pendants can add just a dash of a bold or a pinch of pizzazz to a room with simple white walls.

While they vary in form, shape, and color, mid-century modern pendant lights share the common theme of style. They take the best design elements of the mid-20th century and reinvigorate them into contemporary, functional works of art.

Redesigning the Contemporary Home with Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lights

Choosing the best pendant for a space requires much more than simply hanging lights. Similar to the mid-century modern chandelier, a pendant is suspended from above to provide ambient and concentrated light. However, the selection of a pendant can depend on placement and size. As a general rule, the size of the mid-century modern pendant light should complement the size of the surface it hangs above.

Large mid-century modern pendant lights, such as drum pendants, are well-suited above spacious surfaces. Large pendants are often found as a central focal point above dining room tables or large kitchen islands. Typically, there should be 60-70 inches between the floor and the bottom of the shade.

Small pendants, such as mini pendant lights, are ideal when used in multiples. One might find multiple small pendants placed symmetrically in a hallway or above a countertop. Multiple pendants are usually placed about two to two-and-a-half feet apart.

The beauty of mid-century pendant lights is that they can work well in many areas of the house. They are paired well with mid-century furniture, such as when suspended over a nightstand or table. No matter what room of the house they are used in, mid-century modern pendant lights will still provide that timeless appeal that is missing from other styles of lighting. With a minimalist appeal and organic form, the mid-century modern pendant light is the perfect choice to reinvigorate the contemporary home.