Our Favorite Modern Scandinavian Design Pendant Lights
This is not our first time shining a light on some of our favorite pendant light designs, but we can’t get enough of how functional and beautiful pendant lights are. Hang them above a kitchen island, a dining area, or anywhere else you need some ambiance.
Levitate Pendant Lamp - MENU Design
Hovering in the air, challenging our perceptions of gravity and light, the Levitate Pendant gracefully illuminates spaces. Casting light both upwards and downwards, the Levitate Pendant creates the illusion that it hangs in air.
Umanoff Pendant Lamp - MENU Design
Capturing the timeless traditions of bygone design, the Umanoff Pendant proves that simple and elegant never go out of style. Reminiscent of a treasured vintage style, the sculptural light was designed by Arthur Umanoff during the mid-century modern movement of the 1950s that eschewed the ornamental in favor of a more streamlined silhouette free from unnecessary embellishment. A meeting of beauty and function, the Umanoff Pendant shines a light on the contrasts that appear when geometric components meet. Shaped from perfectly symmetrical walnut and polished brass parts, it emits downward light to illuminate surfaces with a soft and cozy glow.
PH Snowball Pendant - Louis Poulsen
The PH Snowball Pendant is a Poul Henningsen original, introduced at an exhibition at the Danish Museum of Decorative Art. The shape, reminiscent of a snowball, emits light in a unique way: when the light is switched on, the top portion is illuminated while the bottom part remains dark.
PH 5 Pendant - Louis Poulsen
In 1985, Henningsen developed the PH 5 Pendant in response to bulb manufacturers constantly changing the shape and size of incandescent bulbs, which seemed nonsensical and frustrating for consumers. The PH 5 Pendant is named after the size of the main shade, which is 50 centimeters in diameter.
Ambit Pendant Lamp - MUUTO Design
"With the [Ambit Pendant Lamp], we worked with the form and proportions in a very thorough and almost meticulous way,” says TAF Architects, who collaborated with MUUTO on this pendant lamp design. “There is a dynamic between the linear and rounded shape that creates an attractive outline. A timeless pendant that never becomes boring to look at. The lampshade is made of a lightweight spun material and the dual-tone, with the inner white, adds a delicate contrast."
Grain Pendant Lamp - MUUTO Design
The Grain Pendant Lamp draws its name from the materials used in the design: a mix of bamboo grain and plastic. “The Grain Pendant Lamp is a versatile light with a warm and welcoming appearance, complemented by a soft form that generously spreads the light underneath,” explains Jens Fager. “The design is made from a unique mix of bamboo grain and plastic, adding a new perspective to the archetypical pendant lamp through its visual expression and matte touch.”
Rime Pendant Lamps - MUUTO Design
The Rime Pendant Lamp design is simple, with a silhouette inspired by the shape of acorns! “Designing simple things is often one of the hardest things to do,” says TAF. “We wanted to create a simple lamp with a glass shape, giving it a soft expression while making its top and pendant tube as subtle as possible. We were inspired by the shape of acorns for the gentle lines of the pendant while hinting towards the shaded expression of ice and rime for the glass of the design, allowing for the light to shine slightly through with a refined touch. The Rime Pendant Lamp brings a timeless yet modern perspective to the archetypal light through its translucent shade and graphic form.”
Fluid Pendant Lamps - MUUTO Design
“We wanted to give the lamp a form with a certain softness, towards a more natural language and further removed from pure geometry,” recalls Claesson Koivisto Rune about the Fluid Pendant Lamp. “Fascinated by the way that surface tension governs the curvature of a resting water droplet, we have tried to capture its essence. The subtle irregularity of Fluid means that their silhouette gently changes depending upon the viewing angle. It also brings a greater light intensity to the lamps’ underside - just where you need it.”
Strand Pendant Lamps - MUUTO Design
“The Strand Pendant Lamp is formed from a sprayed cocoon material with its cloud-like appearance that tightly clings to a spinning steel frame. It consists of tiny strands for a complex, intriguing structure that shrouds the light source while acting as its diffuser,” says designer Benjamin Hubert. “With its see-through expression, the cocoon material allows for the Strand Pendant Lamp to filter light for a warm, comfortable glow. Designed in various sizes and shapes, the Strand Pendant Lamp hovers lightly in space, bringing comfort, harmony, and a refined sensitivity into any room.” Style several sizes for a striking lighting arrangement.
E27 Pendant Lamp - MUUTO Design
The E27 Pendant Lamp is a design stripped down to the essentials, with high-quality materials to boot. “The simplicity of the naked bulb is hard to compete with. It stands for something that feels romantic and contemporary at the same time,” explains Mattias Ståhlbom. “E27 departs from the essence of a lamp - the socket - creating a simple yet strong object that celebrates the potential beauty in simplicity.”
Record Shade - Ferm Living
This shallow drum-shaped Record Shade (second from the right above) has a nod to retro forms, with a reflective white interior that radiates strong light downwards.
Opal Shades - Ferm Living
Ferm Living’s Opal Shades feature opaque glass in spheres and ovals. We love the Southern Moss coloring of the Opal Shade shown above, which spreads soft light evenly in a room.
Add ambiance and thoughtful design to your home with our Lighting collection.
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Batten Home carefully curates Scandinavian furniture designs and minimalist decor objects for the modern home. We are inspired by a Scandinavian aesthetic and Danish design philosophies with a new modern design feel we like to call new Nordic design.
Have any questions for us? We’re family-owned and independently operated, and we’d love to hear from you. Drop us a line at hello@battenhome.co or find more inspiration on Pinterest.