20 of the best minimal pendant lights

So, onwards with my next ‘Best of’ post, this time rounding up 20 of the best minimal pendant lights from my favourite brands and independent shops. Through my research scouring the internet high and low, I realised just how many options there are out there, from traditional metal shades and exposed bulbs to sculptural pendants and metallic cages. No wonder it’s often hard to find the right pendant light for you – there’s almost too much choice, and most likely not enough time to sift through the volume.

I’ve tried, therefore, to restrict this ‘Best of’ to minimal, cloche-style shades in predominantly black, grey and white (although most designs come in a variety of different colours). All the designs featured are pared-back and considered, no detail is superfluous or unnecessary – each pendant lamp is functional yet beautiful.

Muuto pendant lamp - 20 of the best minimal pendant lights — Muuto Ambit pendant lamp, image credit: Muuto

Without further ado, here we have 20 of the best minimal pendant lights out there, with a focus on clean Scandinavian design. I’ve tried to cater to every budget, with a mix of high end and high street – half of the designs are under £100. There’s slim bulb fittings for small, compact spaces, larger pendants for over dining tables, adjustable designs for maximum flexibility, and easy-to-fit shades for existing lights. Shop away!

a. Muuto grain pendant lamp, £109, available in five colours, Someday Designs
b. Gubi semi pendant light in matt black, £209, available in eight finishes, Clippings.com
c. Muuto Ambit pendant lamp, £155, available in five colours and two sizes, Someday Designs
d. Regular coolie hat pendant, £71, available in 11 colours, Pooky
e. Millbank pendant light in polymer concrete, £57, Garden Trading
f. Ogilvy matt back rise-and-fall pendant light, £79, Made.com
g. Nordlux Lighting DFTP black strap 36 pendant, £154, Love4Lighting via Trouva.com
h. String light cone pendant by Michael Anastassiades for Flos, £410.88, Clippings.com
i. Muuto e27 light, £65, available in five colours, Future and Found
j. Anglepoise Original 1227 pendant in Elephant Grey, £100, Made in Design
k. Normann Copenhagen Bell Lamp, from £205 available in four colours and four sizes, Houseology
l. Harvey black and cream metal easy-to-fit ceiling shade, £90, Habitat
m. Muuto Unfold pendant, £155, available in six colours, Heal’s
n. Menu Tied pendant light, £60, Nest.co.uk
o. NYMÅNE black pendant lamp, £35, IKEA
p. Beaten brass round pendant, £115, Graham and Green
q. Woud Annular LED Suspension Lamp, £255, Tea and Kate
r. Light & Living Black Neina pendant light, £74.99, The Restoration via Trouva.com
s. Pantone Deneb pendant, £49.95, available in seven colours, Plumen
t. Menu Bollard lamp, £79, available in five colours, Utility Design

Woud Annular pendant light - 20 of the best minimal pendant lights — Woud Annular LED Suspension Lamp. Image credit: Woud

Menu Bollard lamp - 20 of the best minimal pendant lights — Menu Bollard lamp. Image credit: Menu

My first port of call would be Danish brands Muuto and Menu, both have a brilliant selection of simply designed pendants in different colours that won’t break the bank. We have Menu’s Bollard pendant lamps by our bed and I love their flexibility – you can move the cable so the shade is positioned downwards, to an angle, or upright on a table. Otherwise, the dream would be a Gubi Semi pendant light over the dining table, a gently curved lamp that’s elegant and timeless.

Which pendant is your favourite?

Gubi semi pendant light - 20 of the best minimal pendant lights — Gubi Semi pendant light. Image credit: Gubi

All images courtesy of respective brands, main image: Normann Copenhagen

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