How to Choose the Right Bulb for Your Pendant Light

We often get asked which bulbs to use with our pendants and with so many bulb types available nowadays we don’t blame you, it’s so easy to get confused.

Most importantly, all our Pendants must be fitted with an LED E27 bulb (6W Maximum). 

Bulb Size

The style and size of bulb depends on your pendant shape.

The Brindley Pendant is our narrowest shade and when hung at eye level the bulb isn’t visible. So, the Brindley Pendant requires a small/standard bulb, the appearance of which doesn’t really matter.

Above: Hammered Copper Brindley Pendant in Elan Black

Our Harborne and Hockley Pendants have a larger circumference, meaning a larger bulb can be fitted. If you choose to use a larger bulb with these Pendant shapes it may be more visible. There are plenty of large filament bulbs in different colours, shapes and designs available which can be used to create a feature.

Above: Smooth Brass Hockley Pendant in Birch

Tone of Light

Next, think about the interior finish of your pendant and the type of light you wish to create.

Hammered Copper / Burnished Interior

When lit, the hammered copper finish achieves a soft, dappled light which looks great against dark interiors.  Pendants with a copper interior work best with a cooler/brighter bulb as it balances the warm glow of the copper. 

Above left: Hammered Copper Harborne Pendant, Above right: Burnished Harborne Pendant.

Smooth Nickel Interior

When lit, the sleek nickel finish creates beautifully unexpected reflections.  Pendants with a nickel interior work well with a warmer, brighter bulb.

Above: Smooth Nickel Harborne Pendant.

White Gloss Interior

When lit, the white gloss interior bounces light and creates a radiant glow, the brightest of our pedant finishes. Pendants with a white gloss interior work well with a warmer bulb.

Above: a Bespoke Green & White Gloss Pendant. Find out more about our bespoke services here.

Click here to discover our full Pendant Lighting range.

Learn more about our lighting in our Create a Bespoke Pendant blog.