The 10 Best Industrial Pendant Lights
Somewhere at the crossroads of minimalism, farmhouse, turn-of-the-century, and modernism lies the Industrial design aesthetic. Often difficult to describe, once you see an Industrial space, you immediately recognize it. Whether it’s the familiarity of the eclectic furnishings, the approachability of the layouts and simplicity, or the warmth of the overall expression of the space, Industrial creates a more laid-back atmosphere. Often a massive part of this design style is the lighting. These pieces anchor the design aesthetic and are sometimes your first clue that this space is leaning more Industrial. So, as usual, lighting is vital, and pendant lighting is essential. Here are our 10 best industrial pendant lights you’ll love in your home and office.
What is Industrial Design?
When you hear industrial, you might start envisioning gears, metal surfaces with jagged, raw edges, or crumbling concrete walls. But with a little intentionality, the industrial style pulls inspiration from these things without overtly making them a focus.
Katherine McLaughlin at Architectural Digest states that “the origins of industrial interior design start with the aesthetic’s namesake: the industrial revolution.” Warehouses, efficiency, architectural mainstreaming, and pared down elements form the cornerstone of Industrial design, while natural materials, Mid-Century Modern forms and silhouettes, and contemporary art complete the picture.
This style picked up speed in the design world when the large warehouses and factories started to be abandoned and then given new life as loft apartments, other residential spaces, and offices. Instead of erasing the framework of the building, it was embraced and built upon.
The exposed brick and slightly crumbling concrete walls were left alone, while leather sofas, wood tables, and metal décor, lighting, and structural elements were brought in to fill the space and make it livable.
The 10 Best Industrial Pendant Lights
To choose the best Industrial pendant lights, we have to start with iconic brands and designers. Whether these brands have been around since Industrial found its feet, or are collaborating with burgeoning designers, they all capture the sculptural and warm feel at the foundation of the aesthetic. And the lights we’ve chosen accomplish this as well.
Linear lights, multi-arm pendants, and oceanic-inspired pieces all capture the industrial age, enhancing your space through functionality while also infusing weathered finishes and exposed elements.
Industrial Metal Pendant Lighting
Probably the most common material used in Industrial lighting is metal. Abandoning the soft, cloth shades for more structured metal, industrial metal pendant lighting utilizes this material to establish well-defined forms, sculptural silhouettes, unmatched durability, and that delicate homage to the industrial age.
Tubelight
Tube lighting brings back memories of large, fluorescent lights and bulbs that need to be delicately handled. But Tubelight turns all of that on its head, yanks the “bulb” right out of the framework and forces you to reimagine the entire concept. The light itself is encased in a silicone tube that can hang from the powder-coated metal linear shade, or be extended and wrapped around it in an art installation of light. This flexible, customizable industrial light looks perfect over the kitchen island, works beautifully as modern restaurant lighting, and brings that avant-garde whimsy to loft apartments.
Hemisphere Pendant Small
A metal band, punctuated by hardware, cinches the sand-blasted glass shade into two hemispheres of light. Paired with a chain, the metal in the Hemisphere Pendant light is minimal but impactful. Its elegant illumination creates a beautiful atmosphere, effortlessly enhancing any room with its soft and inviting light. And the various sizes and shapes available can be mixed and matched for a unique collection of pendants in industrial spaces that might lean a little more elegant.
Drop Chandelier
Fluidity and a little bit of atom construction is brought to mind with the Drop Chandelier. This branching light fixture is nuanced and features adjustable shades so the light can be directed to offer illumination for the whole room. The oxidized aluminum gives this light its richer, more textural, authentic feel while the series of smaller bulbs ensure the glow it provides is still atmospheric. We love this chandelier in dining rooms and lobbies.
Lampe Gras N°312 Ceiling Lamp
Emulating the pipework found in warehouses and factories, the Lampe Gras pendant light has a fluid movement paired with sharp angles. At its heart, it’s and adjustable arm wall or ceiling light that is minimalist and streamlined to reduce clutter and provide superior task lighting for any space. More than just a lighting fixture, it’s a bold statement in industrial design, meticulously crafted to captivate and illuminate with unmatched elegance in offices, bedrooms, and more.
Tinkering Suspension Lamp
We’d argue the Tinkering Suspension Lamp is more art than lighting. A series of half-moon shades cover seven different lightbulbs and are connected by arms, posts, and buttresses that give the light its architectural and sculptural silhouette. Designed by Joost van Bleiswijk, the Tinkering pendant incorporates Moooi's Electrosandwich® technology to eliminate all visible wiring, streamlining this pendant and making it a top choice for dining room lighting.
Cono Pendant Lamp - 3 Shades
Designer Benny Frandsen masterfully pays homage to Denmark and the area WOUD calls home with the Cono Pendant Lamp. Three conical shades are arranged on a single pole and suspended on a cord to create a fresh, visually tranquil light that has essences of Industrial inspirations. This more Scandinavian light looks perfect in halls, stairwells, over dining tables, and in living rooms.
Industrial Pendants for Kitchens, Dining Rooms, and More
Beyond black metal industrial lights and other pendants that center metal materials, there are a few other industrial pendants we have to recommend. Not only because we know you’ll love them, but because they perfectly suit modern kitchens, dining rooms, and more.
Sahn Chandelier
The Sahn Chandelier was reserved for this section of the article because of the opal white glass shades that offset the other metal materials. These orbs of light catch the eye and add a sophistication to the composition. Enjoy the open proportions that work perfectly with different ceiling heights and room configurations, adding that essential Industrial expression while offering a sculptural addition in modern spaces.
Well Glass Grouping of 7679
One of the best sub-genres of Industrial design is nautical. Davey Lighting is one of our favorite brands who captures this high-seas, atmospheric aesthetically beautifully. Galvanized metal, glass shades, and exposed elements make the Well Glass Grouping ceiling light irresistible. The cluster silhouette adds substantial maritime character and drama without overwhelming the space, achieving the balance of timelessness, elegance, and engineering excellence.
Celeste Pendant
Lostine has been blessing the industry with superior lighting for years. Each light is infused with character, creativity, and innovation that makes them more than just a lighting element in your home. The Celeste Pendant is no exception with its buttery soft, perforated leather shade and brass details. Enhancing your space with a more rustic approach to industrialism, the light is versatile and charming in any room.
NL12 Pendant
Combining beauty with utility, the NL12 Pendant is the epitome of modern industrial lighting design. A bundle of tube lights is supported by aluminum hoops and wires in a stunning, ethereal display perfect for large dining rooms and kitchens. The thoughtful engineering of the NL12 Pendant allows it to diffuse light evenly across the space, providing both ambiance and practical illumination.
3 Tips for Using Industrial Pendant Lighting
The Industrial aesthetic is probably one of the easier design styles to incorporate into your space. Thanks to its minimalist foundations and the laid-back approach to adding furniture and other pieces, you can utilize what’s already at your disposal in the architecture of your spaces and simply add a few key pieces. The lighting however, may need a little more thought. Here are our best three tips for using industrial pendant lighting.
- Keep it simple. You don’t need complex lighting solutions. Odds are, you industrial space has more of an open concept layout, so a few strategically placed floor lights, a good, large pendant, and a handful of table lights achieve the perfect amount of lighting.
- Keep materials consistent. Mixing metals is not a problem for industrial spaces, but we recommend sticking with metal and maybe one other material when it comes to your lighting. Wood has a minimal role in industrial spaces and works best in furniture rather than lighting.
- Consider your high ceilings. Another common part of industrial spaces is really high ceilings. That makes pendants perfect choices, but you have to choose one that can accommodate the height. Double check the chain and wire length options and the size of the light itself so the proportions work and the light does what it needs to do in your space.
Lighting for Every Style Home
No matter how deep into the Industrial aesthetic you wish to go for your home, business, or office, HORNE has the lighting you need. In fact, our collection of Scandinavian and modern lighting offers something for every space. Whether you’re complementing exposed brick walls, metal staircases, and urban vibes, or building a relaxing, Nordic-inspired retreat, find the light that illumines your lifestyle and brightens every activity.
Explore related collections, including Modern Coffee Tables, Coffee Tables, and Side Tables, and visit our design guides for a broader point of view.
