Linear light fixtures: the right piece, the right length

Allow two thirds of your table's length: for a 180 cm top, a 120 cm linear pendant is enough. Hang it between 75 and 85 cm above the surface, never below 70 cm. Then choose the socket: E27 if the bulb stays visible, integrated LED for a slim profile.

What length should you choose for a linear light fixture?

Length is calculated on what the fixture lights, not on the room. Above a table or a worktop, take two thirds of the length to be covered. In a hallway, two 60 cm modules are better than a single 120 cm one placed in the centre. When the table is bespoke or the island non-standard, the calculation is done from plans: our trade space handles these projects from measured dimensions.

What length for a pendant above a table?

For a rectangular table, aim for 50 to 70% of the top's length. A 180 cm top therefore calls for 90 to 125 cm of fixture, a 240 cm top goes up to 120 or 170 cm. Below half, the light concentrates in the centre and the ends stay in shadow. On a round table, think in diameter: the fixture covers about half the top.

Elongated shapes are plentiful. Across a sample of 250 references from our catalogue as of 25 September 2026, the Tube shape appears on 29% of the listings. In our pendant lights, multi-section models let you adjust the length almost to the centimetre, which a single block cannot do.

The choice also comes down to looks. A fine line above a solid wood table lets the top breathe, whereas a wide model crushes it. Our dining room light fixture guide details this relationship between top width and visual bulk.

How do you set the height of a pendant light?

Measure from the bottom of the shade to the table top, not from the ceiling to the fixture. Allow 75 to 85 cm. Go down to around 65 cm if you want the light to fall on the plates rather than into people's eyes. Below 60 cm, guests bump into it when standing up, and the bulb stays visible.

A 2.50 m ceiling leaves room; at 2.20 m, prefer a long ceiling light or a pendant on a short cable. For output, it is better to calculate the lighting you need before settling the length: a table for six does not need the same flux as a dining nook for two.

Linear light fixture by room: lounge, dining room, kitchen, hallway

In the dining room, two thirds of the top. In the kitchen, the length of the island or of the lit worktop. In the lounge, a module above the sofa or the coffee table, rather than a central axis. In a hallway, a strip light that follows the run, in two sections if the hallway is longer than 4 m.

Linear light fixture dining room

This is the room where length shows most. A suspended line above the table structures the space and gives guests a lit face rather than a silhouette. An E27 socket with a visible filament bulb brings warm light and a pattern in the glass.

A 120 cm model over a 180 cm table lets the edges breathe. Longer, it visually overflows and crowds the room. Generous formats are reserved for large gatherings and high ceilings, as detailed in our guide to large pendants. If you prefer a central point rather than a line, a dining room chandelier plays the same role above a round table.

Linear light fixture kitchen

Above an island, the length follows the worktop: a 200 cm island calls for 120 to 140 cm of fixture, often in two or three suspended points. Above the worktop, a 90 to 120 cm profile placed 70 cm from the surface lights the chopping area without casting a shadow on your hands.

Cleaning settles the rest. In a kitchen, steam and splashes rise: an IP44 rating protects the fixture where IP20 is only suited to dry air. In the same sample of 250 references as of 25 September 2026, IP20 accounts for 94% of the listings and IP44 only 2%. Check that line if the fixture goes near the sink. Our article on the kitchen pendant details the heights by zone.

Linear light fixture lounge

In the lounge, length serves a zone, not an axis. One module above the sofa, another above the coffee table: the room keeps several independent light sources. Dimming changes everything in the evening, and it is declared on 27% of our sample, against 16% that rule it out.

A long surface-mounted profile also suits an open living area, where it underlines the circulation without drawing the eye. Our selection of on-trend living room lighting helps you decide between black metal, glass and white, the three main colours in the catalogue.

If you are torn between two lengths on a specific plan, simply send us your measurements: we will come back to you with the length and height to go for before ordering. How these models look once installed can be read in the reviews left on our Google listing.

Pendant, long ceiling light or profile: which for your ceiling?

It all depends on the clear height. Below 2.30 m, a long ceiling light or a surface-mounted profile stops the fixture from dropping into your line of sight. Above 2.50 m, a pendant works without getting in the way. The profile suits long spans, hallways and open living areas. On the socket side, an LED ceiling light installs without a visible bulb.

Which fixture for a sloping ceiling?

On a slope, a pendant on adjustable cables stays straight and the fixture levels itself: it is the simplest solution, and the most legible. A ceiling light, on the other hand, follows the slope and lights at an angle. For a steep pitch, a wall light or low-level lighting works better, as explained in our article on sloping ceilings.

Which fixture on a beam or a ceiling rose?

A beam means dropping the light point below the beam, never on top of it. A ceiling rose or a junction box hides the cable entry and re-centres the fixture over the table. If the beam is too low, a surface-mounted profile fixed to the side stays straight, and in the most constrained cases, lighting a room without a ceiling light becomes the right answer.

Which socket for a linear light fixture?

In the sample of 250 references as of 25 September 2026, E27 leads with 29% of the listings, ahead of integrated LED at 20%, E14 at 12% and GU10 at 10%. E27 lets you choose the bulb and replace it; integrated LED gives a slimmer profile but cannot be changed. Our guide to bulb types details colour temperatures and dimmer compatibility.

These benchmarks overlap room by room: browse our advice and inspiration to cross-check height, length and mood before ordering.