Favorite Sources: Pendant Lights Under $250

Ready for more of my favorite sources?  I’ve got 45 amazing lights to share with you today and more where that came from.  Many of you requested lighting sources, and I knew to do it right I would have to break it up by type and do several lighting roundups.  I am kicking it off with pendant lights!

I am sharing my top 15 sources for pendant lights.  That means there are 45 pendant lights on the graphic below!  I challenged myself to showcase beautiful, affordable pendant lights.  Every light on the graphic below costs less than $250 and many of them cost way less…maybe even a few in the $25 range!  Just remember the budget-friendly to splurge-worthy order is relative to each source, and in this case the pendants toward the right of the graphic are closer to the $250 limit.

Where to Use Pendant Lights

When you hear the term pendant light, you might be thinking of the small pendants that hang from track-lighting or the mix and match glass shades you can hang over a kitchen island.  Those are better termed mini-pendants.  When I say pendant light, I am referring to a ceiling mounted fixture that hangs down, on a cord or rod, and usually has 1-light bulb.

The pendant lights featured in this roundup can be used in many places throughout your home.  Pendant lights are commonly used over kitchen islands.  Some of the larger pendants make a great modern alternative to a chandelier over a dining table, like my DIY drum shade pendant over my kitchen table.  Pendants are also great to use above a work  surface, like my 3-light pendant in my studio.  If you have high enough ceilings, you can also use pendant lights in hallways, foyers, closets, and bathrooms.

My Favorite Pendant Lights

The reporter for the Woodbury Bulletin feature asked me what I do first in a home to make it my own (I have owned three homes).  First for me is always paint.  Second, is lighting…changing out builder grade fixtures!  I love modern, unique, elegant, and sometimes colorful pendant lights.  Below the graphic I have included all the source links and some comments on why I like each source.  Here are 45 of my favorite pendant lights:

Ikea – Okay, you already knew this source right?  Can’t deny how awesome the prices are at Ikea.  They have a great selection of inexpensive modern pendants.  The three shown here are all less than $100.  Pictured: Knappa Pendant Lamp, Hektar Pendant Lamp, Ikea PS 2012 Pendant Lamp

Lulu & Georgia – This shop is well-curated, meaning a smaller, but good selection.  I was oohing and aahing over the three lights I chose to feature, and pleasantly surprised they each fit under the $250 budget.  Pictured: Aiden Lamp, Raine Lamp, Commerce Lamp

CB2 – For a unique, modern, sometimes industrial edge, don’t miss the lighting at CB2.  I love that we have a CB2 store in Minneapolis now and I can go check out the lights in person.  These ones all caught my eye.  Pictured: Eden Pendant, Fiore Pendant Lamp, Cage Chrome Pendant Lamp

West Elm – Oh, West Elm, you always have amazing lights.  The globe pendant is what we used over our kitchen island with Edison lightbulbs.  Pictured: Globe Pendant, Turning Pendant, Bentwood Pendant

Z Gallerie – Most of Z Gallerie’s selection of ceiling lights are chandeliers, but they have a few great pendants (that they still call chandeliers).  Lighting at Z Gallerie is all about glamour…think high-end kitchen or luxurious walk-in closet. Pictured: Omega Chandelier, Carlyle Chandelier, Eclipse Three-Arm Chandelier

World Market – A great source for casual, sometimes rustic, affordable lighting.  This is another store I like to visit in person to see the lights…the online details don’t always do them justice.  The first one shown is a ceiling mounted fixture with three lights dropping down with burlap shades for under $85!  The last one shown has an amazing gold/brass interior that just glows when lit up.  Pictured: Gray Irving Burlap Lamp Shades Set of 3 with 3-Arm Ceiling Hardwire Kit, Punched Metal Pendant, Black Iron Bell Pendant Lamp

Barn Light Electric – For a retro, barn, or schoolhouse vibe, this is a great source.  There are so many fun, colorful options.    Seriously, I want to hug and kiss that last enamel light.  Pictured: Minimalist Raw Brass Pendant, Primary Schoolhouse Stem Mount Light, Ivanhoe Union Warehouse Porcelain Pendant

Urban Outfitters – Love the fun pendant options at Urban Outfitters.  Their prices are perfect for impulse buys (a rare thing to think about when shopping for lighting). Pictured: Faded Out Paper Lantern, Cage Pendant Light, Honeycomb Glass Pendant Light

Land of Nod – Not just for kids!  Land of Nod has a a great selection of lighting in fun colors and shapes that would look great in any room.  I don’t believe I have ever seen a cable knit light before…love!  Pictured: Pop of Color Pendant Shade Yellow with Yellow Pop of Color Cord Kit, Cardigan Pendant Lampshade, Up and Atom Chandelier

Lamps Plus – Large online lighting stores can be intimidating to sort through.  I have always found Lamps Plus to be easy to use.  They have good filtering options for searches, which helps when looking for the prefect light in their vast selection.  Pictured: Cocoon Pendant Light, Mercury Glass Pendant Chandelier, Capiza Pendant Chandelier

Shades of Light – One of my favorite light sources to refer clients to.  Shades of Light has a large, but well-curated selection of lights.  Their site is easy to use and they have some exclusive collections, including the Young House Love collection.  Pictured: Young House Love Metal Strap Drum Pendant, Pickled Wood and Clear Glass Pendant, Teardrop Glass Pendant

RH Baby & Child – Restoration Hardware has beautiful lighting, but most of the pendants were out of the price range for this post.  However, RH Baby & child has some beautiful lighting options at some lower price points.  I found more than 3 pendant lights to love for less than $250.  No one would ever guess these lights were designed for a kids room.  Pictured: Barrel Shade Pendant Navy, Portico Lantern Pendant, Fluted Trellis Pendant

Ballard Designs – For a more traditional choice, Ballard Designs is great.  I chose to feature three of their more unique pendant lights.  Hello, the cage light is BRASS…amazing.  Hexagons and pentagons…oh my…I am loving the honeycomb look.  The modern, simple lantern had me swooning, too.  Pictured: Stephen 1-Light Pendant, Seeded Honey Comb Pendant, Eldridge Pendant Medium

Home Depot – You can buy pretty much any light you want at Home Depot, which can actually be pretty daunting.  I love how my local store has an end cap devoted to some of the more popular modern lights, including a selection from Home Decorators.  Pictured: Cone Burlap Pendant, Home Decorators Collection Glass Bowl Pendant, Black Pendant

Schoolhouse Electric – All I can say is drool-worthy.  Seriously I feel like I stalk the Schoolhouse Electric website.  I love the vintage-look lighting.  They have a great selection of colors and metal finishes.  With the ability to choose a fixture, cord color, and shades, you can really make the perfect light for you.  Pictured: City Pendant, Hampton 6″ with Striped Shade, Walsh Pendant

Okay, you know the deal…I showed you mine, now you show me yours.  What are you favorite sources for affordable pendant lights?

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