Hi Carolyn, There is no standard for this - however to save bumping into the pendants [unless you decide to have them very low - maybe 200mm from the table] a good height would be around 2000mm - most people would miss this, and it is low enough to create an excellent statement. Speak to your electrician though - they may have different advice dependent on the actual install guidelines for the pendant, as they can vary between fixtures.
For a dining room the general rule is to hang the lowest point of the pendant light between 30" and 34" (76 – 86 cm) from the top of the table. If you were to have a standard bedside lamp you would want the bottom of the lamp to be at chin height when in bed as that will give you the ideal task lighting and avoid glare. Play around with both of these methods and you should find an ideal height somewhere in-between that suits you.
I usually work around 70 cm to 90 cm (about 2 ft 4 inches to 3 ft) above the bedside tables. If you're sitting in bed reading you want sufficient light cast on the page. You'll have to play around to get it visually as well as functionally right. If you hang them very low it looks funky but may drive you crazy if you are forever knocking them.
Gallifrey
Lindon Homes Pty Ltd
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