Scandinavian wooden pendant lights

Start by choosing the shade size according to the volume you want to light, then the cable length according to the room: a 29 to 38 cm dome above a large table, a compact 18 to 20 cm model in a small living room. Most of these pendants mount on a ceiling rose, use an E27 socket, and give off a warm white light.

This collection brings together Scandinavian-inspired pendant lights, mostly in wood, sometimes combined with metal, bamboo or glass, designed for the kitchen, dining room and living room. Soft shapes, dome, tube or round, warm light: here is how to choose according to the room, the material and the socket.

• Which pendant light to choose for a living room
• Dining room: height and number of points
• The woods and materials of Scandinavian design
• The colours of Scandinavian decor
• Chandelier or pendant light
• Socket and light temperature
• Installation and care
• Matching the pendant light to your decor

Which Nordic wood pendant light should you choose for a living room?

In a living room, size comes before style: a large volume calls for a 29 to 38 cm dome such as the Thessia or the Conica, or several shades aligned above a sofa. A small living room is fine with a compact 18 to 20 cm model, with an adjustable cable so it does not overwhelm the space.

Which Nordic wood pendant light for a large living room?

Under a high ceiling, aim for a large diameter: the Ginara reaches 38 cm and the Frikka 34 cm, two domes that fill the space without cluttering it. Above a sofa or a coffee table, three aligned shades such as the three shades of Nordlys or the Linden spread the light over a longer distance. Find these formats in the wood models for the living room.

Wood and white pendant light for a small living room?

In a narrow room, the Eirwen (18 cm) and the Alvéo (20 cm) fit anywhere, and the Dovella and Yvonelle tubes, 8 to 10 cm in section, slip in close to a wall. The adjustable cable lets you lower them above a reading corner without taking up space. The Scandinavian pendant lights for living room gather these compact formats, also to be seen in the white finishes.

Which on-trend lights for a dining room?

In a dining room, the shapes that stand out are the dome, the tube and the wood bar, often with several light points. The choice follows the shape of the table: a single model above a round table, three shades or a bar above a large rectangular table.

At what height should a pendant light be hung above the dining table?

The practical rule: the shade should stay out of the seated guests' line of sight, so low enough to light the plate without hiding the faces opposite. Adjust the cable length before tightening the ceiling rose, then test by sitting down. The Dovella and Yvonelle tubes go down to two metres, which leaves room under a high ceiling, while the Ginara stops at 74 cm.

Do you need one or several pendant lights above a table?

A round table takes a single point, a large dome or a five-head model. On a long rectangular table, the light benefits from being spread out: the Linden and Nordlys align three shades, and the Barrara light bar covers 150 cm with a single opal diffuser. To go further, see the wood pendant lights for kitchen and all the Nordic pendant lights.

What are the types of wood most used in Scandinavian design?

Wood is the dominant material, in a light matte finish, and bamboo appears on a few pieces combined with glass. Wood and metal rarely go without each other: the shade or the bar is in wood, the ceiling rose and the structure are in metal or steel.

Light wood, bamboo: the materials of Nordic pendant lights

Light wood shows on the shade, the link or the bar, with a matte finish that absorbs light instead of reflecting it. Bamboo, rarer, combines with glass on globe or multi-head models, such as the Xala pendant light and its globes. These lighter assemblies are found in the glass and wood pendant lights.

Wood and metal: why this combination comes up so often

Metal brings rigidity where wood stays flexible: ceiling rose, stem, end cap or structure painted white, black or steel. This gives a soft contrast that works in a living room as well as an entrance. The pieces concerned are gathered in wood and metal together, with a more pronounced variant in the industrial style wood and metal pendant lights.

What are the typical colours of Scandinavian decor?

Brown and black dominate, followed by white, then beige and grey. White gives a discreet pendant light that lets the light wood speak, while black and brown create a more graphic contrast on a light wall. Beige and grey remain rarer.

Scandinavian wood and white pendant light

The matte white of the shades and structures erases the light against a light ceiling and highlights the light rather than the object. Eirwen, Conica and Nordlys play this card, easy to match with off-white walls and pale wood furniture. The full catalogue can be browsed in the white finishes and the modern white colourway pendant lights.

Wood pendant light in black colourway

Black and brown with a black end cap draw a sharper line, structuring a light wall and drawing the eye above a table. The Thessia and its 29.5 cm dome and the Alvéo illustrate this look, with rings or a dark dome on light wood. See the black versions and the wood and metal models in black colourway.

What is the difference between a chandelier and a pendant light?

A pendant light lights from a point suspended from the ceiling by a cable, with a shade, a tube or a bar. A chandelier spreads several light points over a structure. Three-shade models such as Nordlys or Linden and the five-head Xala pendant light sit between the two.

Chandelier or pendant light: how to count the light points

A single point is enough to light a table for four to six guests and adjusts effortlessly. Beyond that, or for a large room, several points avoid shadow areas: the Clara aligns five dome shades, the Xala pendant light and its globes has five in E14, with a 100 cm cable and a structure of 80 or 120 cm depending on the version.

Scandinavian wood chandelier pendant lights: several shades on one ceiling rose

Several shades on the same ceiling rose require individual adjustment of each cable to align the heights: this is what separates a careful installation from a rough result. Count the number of points needed before choosing, then lower each wire to the same length. The wood LED pendant lights simplify this calculation when the bulb is not to be changed.

Which socket and which light should you choose for a Nordic wood pendant light?

Most models take an E27 bulb, the wood tubes work in GU10, the Xala pendant light in E14, and the Barrara and Lignaria bars have integrated LED. As for the light, warm white dominates by far, neutral white remains reserved for a few pieces.

E14, E27 or GU10: read the socket before ordering

The socket decides the bulb, the replacement and the beam. An E27 lets you freely choose the shape and colour of the light; a GU10 projects a more directed beam, useful above a worktop or in a hallway. Integrated LED removes the bulb question, but imposes the temperature stated on the product sheet. To compare, see the modern LED pendant lights.

Warm white or neutral white: which light temperature?

Warm white, between 2700 and 3500 K, warms up light wood and suits a living room, a bedroom or an evening table. Neutral white, between 3500 and 4500 K, makes colours sharper and works well above a worktop. Cool white, rarer, is kept for passage areas.

How to install and care for a wood pendant light?

These pendant lights are fixed to the ceiling on a ceiling rose and the cable height is adjusted before tightening. For care, a soft cloth is enough on wood as well as on metal. All models are rated IP20: they are not intended for damp rooms.

Cable height: adjust before fixing the ceiling rose

Most models state several metres of available cable, to be adjusted according to a high or low ceiling: Dovella and Yvonelle go up to two metres, the Conica to 160 cm, the Thessia to 130 cm. Cut the power before working, adjust the length, then tighten. For a living space, compare the a model for the bedroom before fixing a final height.

Caring for light wood and metal finishes

A feather duster or a soft dry cloth is enough on wood; moisture and household products damage the matte finish and whiten the wood. On painted metal or steel, the same gesture applies. As all models are IP20, they protect against dust and contact, not water: out of the question above a bathtub or an exposed sink.

How to match a Nordic wood pendant light with your decor?

The Nordic style dominates, followed by modern then minimalist. For a bohemian interior, go for round or globe shapes, in bamboo and glass. For a more rustic or vintage look, a wood finish with a black metal end cap. Two or three materials maximum per room.

Balinese or bohemian Scandinavian wood pendant light

Round shapes, globes and bamboo and glass assemblies blend with natural fibres, rattan and light tones. Keep a single strong point in the room, the pendant light, and leave the rest understated. These pieces are gathered in the design wood pendant lights.

Vintage or rustic Scandinavian wood pendant light

The wood finish with a black metal end cap, as on the the Dovella wood tube, matches solid wood furniture and warm tones. A matte white cone, on the other hand, calms a busy interior: the Conica cone is a good example. Also browse our lighting catalogue to balance the room.

Hesitating between two diameters or two light temperatures? The Designix customer service team helps you decide, with secure payment, tracked delivery and returns if the model does not suit.

Frequently asked questions

One last criterion before confirming: the warranty, two or five years depending on the models, and dimmer compatibility on a small part of the selection. The dimmer-compatible models let you lower the intensity in the evening, and the wood LED pendant lights avoid bulb replacement.