Installation guide
Short answer: begin with the bottom of the pendant shade 30-36 inches (76-91 cm) above the countertop. Measure to the lowest visible point, not to the canopy and not to the end of the cord. Then sit on each stool, stand at the prep zone, and adjust until the fixture lights the island without cutting across the room's sightline.
Pendant height is often described as a ceiling measurement, which is why installations end up unexpectedly low or high. The useful reference is the surface you work on: the finished countertop. Once that reference is fixed, the rest is simple subtraction. You choose a comfortable shade-bottom height, account for the fixture's body, and leave the remaining distance for the cord or rigid stem.
The compact Bauhaus Nordic Morandi Cylinder Glass Pendant Light makes the calculation easy to visualize. The product page lists a shade about 15 cm in diameter and 17 cm high. That 17 cm matters: a target height measured to the shade bottom cannot be converted into a cord length by guessing from the ceiling.
Measure From the Countertop, Not the Ceiling
Take three measurements before installation:
- Countertop to shade bottom: your chosen finished height, usually 30-36 inches as a starting range.
- Shade height: the fixture body from its top connection to its lowest point.
- Canopy and connection allowance: the small section hidden at the ceiling that still affects the total drop.
If the countertop-to-shade-bottom target is 34 inches and the Morandi body is 6.7 inches high, the connection point will sit roughly 40.7 inches above the counter before you account for the canopy. The exact cord adjustment depends on the hardware supplied, so use the product dimensions as a planning input and verify the final hanging range before ordering.
Check the actual 15 cm diameter and 17 cm height on the Morandi Cylinder Glass Pendant Light product page before cutting a template or specifying a cord length.
Use 30-36 Inches as a Starting Range
The familiar 30-36 inch range works because it balances three everyday needs: enough clearance for food preparation, a readable connection between the island and the ceiling, and a shade that does not float so high that it loses visual purpose. It is a design starting point rather than a universal rule. A narrow island, a deep shade, or a very low ceiling can change the answer.
Raise the fixture when:
- the tallest regular user sees the shade directly in front of their eyes while standing;
- the island is a main pathway or the kitchen opens directly into a living room;
- the shade blocks conversation between people on opposite sides.
Lower it slightly when:
- the ceiling is high and the island needs a stronger visual anchor;
- the pendants are very small and appear disconnected from the countertop;
- the island is used mainly while seated and the standing sightline remains clear.
Make changes in small increments. A two-inch adjustment is easy to see in a paper mock-up and much harder to undo after the electrical box and canopy are fixed.
Check Both Seated and Standing Sightlines
Height is not correct until it works from the positions that matter. Tape a paper circle at the proposed shade bottom or hang a lightweight mock-up from a temporary board. Stand at the main prep spot, then sit on every stool. Look toward the person opposite you and toward the room beyond the island. If the shade occupies the strongest line of sight, raise it or move the group slightly toward the task zone.
Do the check with the lights on. A glass shade that feels almost invisible in daylight can become a bright focal point after sunset. The Morandi uses an E27 bulb and the listing specifies a maximum of 40W; the final glare level will still depend on the bulb's shape, output, and whether the bulb is visible through the selected glass finish.
Account for Small Pendants in a Group
A 15 cm shade is small enough that homeowners often hang it too low to make it feel substantial. Resist solving scale with height alone. If one pendant looks lost, first test two or three at the correct height. A balanced group gives the island a stronger visual line without placing one bright object directly in the middle of everyone's view.
For a 6-inch-style pendant, keep the same shade-bottom target for every drop. Do not stagger heights unless the room design deliberately calls for it; inconsistent lowest points make a clean island feel accidental and complicate the sightline check.
Ceiling and Electrical Checks Before You Fix the Height
Confirm the junction box position, ceiling slope, canopy compatibility, and support for each drop. A sloped ceiling may require hardware that can sit level; the product page does not establish that compatibility, so confirm it before purchase. The listing specifies AC 110-240V and indoor use, but local wiring rules still govern the installation.
For fixed-wiring work, follow the Electrical Safety Foundation International's home electrical safety guidance. If lights dim when other devices start, switches buzz, or breakers trip repeatedly, have a qualified electrician inspect the circuit before adding multiple pendants.
After the height passes your standing and seated tests, review the available shade and base combinations for the Morandi pendant and share the measured drop with your installer.
FAQ
Should I measure to the canopy or the shade?
Measure from the countertop to the lowest point of the shade. Use the canopy and fixture height afterward to calculate the total drop.
Is 30 inches too low?
Not automatically. It can work when standing sightlines are clear, but test tall users and the room view before fixing the height.
Is 36 inches too high for a small pendant?
It may feel high on a large or tall ceiling. Test a paper template and adjust in small increments.
How does the Morandi's 17 cm height affect the cord?
The body uses part of the total drop, so subtract its height from your connection-point calculation rather than guessing the cord length.
Can I install the pendants myself?
Only if permitted by local rules and you are competent for the work; fixed wiring is best checked and completed by a qualified electrician.
