In short. The most common rule is to leave 65 to 80 cm between the table top and the bottom of the pendant. For a round table, one pendant of about a third to half of the table diameter is enough; above a table longer than 160 cm, two or three smaller pendants or a pack of three light the whole surface better. At Deko District, pendants with a stated size go from 19 cm (Edison, €44.90) to 60 cm (Sona rattan shade, €34.27, cable sold separately).
Prices updated in October 2026.
How high above the table?
- common rule: 65 to 80 cm between the table top and the bottom of the lamp
- closer to 65 cm for a wide shade that lets little light through, so it does not block the view across the table
- closer to 80 cm for an open frame or clear glass, so the bulb does not dazzle seated guests
- with a ceiling at 250 cm and a table at 75 cm, the bottom of the lamp ends up at about 150 cm from the floor: you need about 100 cm between the ceiling and the bottom of the lamp, shade included
Several of the pendants below have an adjustable cable: 120 cm on Nullify and Lilu, an adjustable metal tube on the adjustable glass pendant.
Which size for which table?
| Table | Suggestion | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| round, 90 cm | 1 pendant of 30 to 40 cm | Nullify 30 cm, glass pendant 38 cm |
| round, 120 cm | 1 pendant of 40 to 60 cm | Hoa 40 cm, Poung 50 cm, Hoa 60 cm |
| rectangular, 140 to 160 cm | 1 large pendant or 2 of 25 to 35 cm | Savoni 50 cm, 2 bamboo pendants 26 cm |
| rectangular, 180 cm and more | 2 or 3 pendants, or a pack of 3 | pack of 3 pendants, 3 Edison 19 cm |
These are rules of thumb, not standards. With several pendants, a gap of 60 to 80 cm between them usually lights the table evenly.
The 19 pendants compared
| Model | Stated size | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison | 19 cm diameter | carbon steel and glass | €44.90 |
| Boho bamboo pendant | 26 cm diameter, 9 cm high | woven bamboo | €42.40 |
| Lia | 29 x 35 cm | electroplated iron | €49.90 |
| Aroc | 30 cm cylinder | cement, LED | €44.00 |
| Nullify | 30 cm diameter | chromed metal | €80.00 |
| Adjustable glass pendant | 38 cm diameter, 26.5 cm high | glass and metal | €72.00 |
| Hoa 40 cm | 40 cm | hand-woven rattan, shade only | €48.94 |
| Retro metal pendant | 40 x 47 cm | electroplated iron | €49.90 |
| Metal structure pendant | 47 x 41 cm | electroplated iron | €39.90 |
| Astra 40 cm | 40 cm | resin, concrete look | €144.00 |
| Boho design pendant | 44 x 55 cm | wood veneer | €199.00 |
| Poung | 50 cm | hand-woven rattan, shade only | €90.22 |
| Savoni | 50 cm diameter | acrylic beads | €192.00 |
| Astra 50 cm | 50 cm | resin, concrete look | €204.00 |
| Sona | 60 cm diameter | hand-woven rattan, cable not included | €34.27 |
| Hoa 60 cm | 60 cm | hand-woven rattan, shade only | €59.36 |
| Astra 60 cm | 60 cm | resin, concrete look | €248.00 |
| Lilu | 60 cm tube | black metal, LED | €46.00 |
| Pack of 3 pendants | 3 independent lamps | black or white | €96.00 |
Small pendants to line up (under 35 cm)
- Edison (€44.90): glass shade of 19 cm on a carbon steel fitting.
- Boho bamboo pendant (€42.40): woven bamboo dome of 26 cm by 9 cm, delivered with the cord already installed.
- Lia (€49.90): openwork frame of 29 x 35 cm in electroplated iron, in gold, rose gold or black.
- Aroc (€44.00): 30 cm cylinder mainly made of cement, with a warm white LED. Its product page mentions a kitchen island or a bar.
- Nullify (€80.00): 30 cm metal shade with a 120 cm adjustable cable, in silver, bronze or gold.
Two or three of these models in a row cover a rectangular table better than one small lamp in the middle.
One pendant for a round table (38 to 60 cm)
- Adjustable glass pendant (€72.00): glass shade of 38 cm by 26.5 cm, adjustable metal tube, in beige or grey transparent glass.
- Retro metal pendant (€49.90) and metal structure pendant (€39.90): open frames of about 40 x 47 cm in electroplated iron, in gold, rose gold or black. The open design lets a lot of light through, so hang them closer to 80 cm.
- Poung (€90.22): hand-woven rattan shade of 50 cm, sold without electrics.
- Savoni (€192.00): 50 cm of acrylic beads, in gold.
- Astra: white resin with a concrete look, in 40 cm (€144), 50 cm (€204) or 60 cm (€248).
- Boho design pendant (€199.00): wood veneer, 44 x 55 cm; a 30 x 43 cm veneer version costs €148.
Long tables: several pendants
Above a table of 180 cm or more, a single pendant leaves the ends in the shade. The pack of 3 pendants (€96, black or white) contains three independent lamps, each with an adjustable height, which its product page recommends for a kitchen worktop or a table. Lilu (€46) is a 60 cm black metal tube with LED and a 120 cm cable. For the chairs around the table, see our guide to affordable designer dining chairs.
Rattan shades: the cable is sold separately
Hoa, Poung and Sona are delivered without electrics. To hang them, add a cable: Sil (€5.90, 2 m, black or white) or Hanz (€8.90, 200 cm in jute and wood, E27 socket). A Sona with a Hanz cable comes to €43.17. All our pendants are in the pendant lamps collection.
Delivery
Deko District delivers to 30 European countries. The estimated delivery time is shown on each product page and in the cart, and shipping costs are shown before payment (shipping policy).
Frequently asked questions
How high should a pendant light hang above a dining table?
The common rule is 65 to 80 cm between the table top and the bottom of the lamp. With a 250 cm ceiling and a 75 cm table, that leaves about 100 cm between the ceiling and the bottom of the lamp.
What size pendant for a 120 cm round table?
A pendant of 40 to 60 cm, for example Hoa 40 cm (€48.94), Poung 50 cm (€90.22) or Hoa 60 cm (€59.36), with a cable bought separately.
How many pendants above a 180 cm table?
Two or three, spaced 60 to 80 cm apart, or the pack of 3 pendants at €96.
Are the rattan pendants sold with a cable?
No. Hoa, Poung and Sona are shades only. The Sil cable costs €5.90 and the Hanz jute cable €8.90.
What is the cheapest large pendant at Deko District?
Sona, a 60 cm rattan shade at €34.27, or €43.17 with the Hanz cable.
Sources
- Deko District product pages (links in the text and tables), checked in October 2026
- Deko District shipping policy
Written by Dorian, product manager at Deko District.
