What types of glass are there?
Clear glass shows the bulb and gives the most light, so it suits decorative filament and globe bulbs. White acid-etched or opal glass hides the bulb and spreads a soft, even light, which makes it the safest choice over a table or island where you look up at the shade. Smoked, amber and coloured glass tint and dim the light; they are best as feature pendants alongside other light sources.
Blown, borosilicate and double glass
Most Ideal Lux glass pendants are blown, so small bubbles and slight variations are part of the character. Borosilicate glass (used in Equinoxe, Flam and Kalique) is thinner and very clear. Double-glass designs such as Lena and Kalique combine a white inner diffuser with a coloured outer shell, giving colour without glare.
How big and how high?
Over a dining table, one large glass pendant at roughly 40–60% of the table width looks balanced; two or three smaller ones suit longer tables. Over a kitchen island, space two or three pendants 60–80 cm apart. Hang the bottom of the glass 75–90 cm above the worktop or table, and at least 2.1 m above the floor where people walk underneath.
Bulb or integrated LED?
Most glass pendants take an E27 or E14 bulb, so you choose the colour and brightness. A warm 2700K bulb flatters amber and smoked glass; a clear filament bulb suits clear glass. The bulb cap is listed on every product page and in the Bulb cap filter.
Cleaning and care
Glass collects dust and fingerprints. Switch off and let the shade cool, then wipe with a soft cloth and a little glass cleaner sprayed on the cloth, never on the fitting. Choose a shade you can reach or remove if it is going over a cooker or busy worktop.
Residential or commercial?
Glass pendants are used in homes, restaurants, bars and hotel receptions. For commercial projects we can confirm weights, cable lengths and lead times for multiple units; send us the codes and quantities.
Questions
Do glass pendants give enough light for a kitchen?
Clear and opal glass pendants give plenty of light over an island or table. Use them with downlights or under-cabinet lights for general and task light.
Which glass hides the bulb?
White acid-etched (opal) glass hides the bulb and diffuses the light. Clear glass shows the bulb, so pair it with a decorative bulb.
Is smoked glass too dark?
Smoked glass reduces the light noticeably. Use it for mood and decoration rather than as the only light in a room.
Are glass pendants heavy?
Usually light to moderate; large blown-glass shades are heavier. The net weight is on each product page.
At a glance
| Fittings on this page | 128 |
|---|---|
| Collections | 36: Equinoxe, Nemo, Bloom, Bistro', Kalique, Mint, Cocktail, Cotton, Flam, Flut and more |
| Most common finishes | smoked glass, brass, chrome, amber glass, black, white, clear glass, green |
| Light source | 24 integrated LED, 104 take a bulb or light source |
| IP ratings | IP20 |
Popular collections in this range
- Ideal Lux Equinoxe (16 on this page)
- Ideal Lux Nemo (15 on this page)
- Ideal Lux Bloom (8 on this page)
- Ideal Lux Atlas (3 on this page)
- Ideal Lux Smarties (2 on this page)
Related guides
- Glass Lampshades Explained: Clear, Opal, Smoked, Amber and Blown Glass
- How to Choose Pendant Lights for a Kitchen Island
- Light Bulb Caps Explained: E27, E14, GU10, G9, G4, GX53 and R7S
Prices for retail, trade and projects are by quotation: add fittings to your enquiry list and we reply with availability, lead time and price, usually within one working day.