Installation Guide
Quick answer: Start with the bottom edge of the shade 30-36 inches (76-91 cm) above the countertop. Measure to the lowest visible point, not to the trim, and not to the end of the cord. Then, sit on each stool, stand at the prep area, and adjust the height until the fixture illuminates the island without interrupting the line of sight throughout the room.
The height of pendant lamps is often described as a measurement from the ceiling, which is why installations often end up unexpectedly too low or too high. The useful reference is the surface you're working on: the finished worktop. Once this reference is established, the rest is a simple subtraction. Choose a comfortable height for the lower edge of the lampshade, consider the body of the fixture, and leave the remaining distance for the cable or rigid stem.
The compact , cylindrical Bauhaus Nordic glass pendant lamp Morandi makes the calculation easy to visualize. The product page lists a lampshade with a diameter of approximately 15 cm and a height of 17 cm. Those 17 cm are important: a target height measured to the lower edge of the lampshade cannot be converted into a cable length by guessing from the ceiling.
Measure from the countertop, not the ceiling
Before installation, take three measurements:
- Distance between countertop and bottom edge of lampshade: The final height chosen, usually 30-36 inches as the starting range.
- Lampshade height: The body of the fixture from the top connection to the lowest point.
- Cover strip and connection edge: the small section hidden in the ceiling that still affects the overall sag.
If the target distance between the countertop and the bottom edge of the lampshade is 34 inches and the Morandi body is 6.7 inches tall, the connection point will be approximately 40.7 inches above the countertop before considering the trim. The exact cord adjustment depends on the supplied hardware, so use the product dimensions as a design reference and verify the final suspension range before ordering. 
Please check the actual diameter of 15 cm and height of 17 cm on the product page of the Morandi cylindrical glass pendant lamp before cutting a template or specifying the cable length.
Use 30-36 inches as your starting range
The popular 30-36 inch range works because it balances three everyday needs: enough space to prepare food, a clear visual connection between the island and the ceiling, and a lampshade that doesn't appear to hang so high that it loses its visual function. It's a design starting point, not a universal rule. A narrow island, a deep lampshade, or a very low ceiling can change the answer.
Raise the appliance when:
- the tallest person usually sees the lampshade directly in front of their eyes while standing;
- the island is located on a main path or the kitchen opens directly into the living room;
- The lampshade interrupts conversation between people on opposite sides.
Lower it slightly when:
- the ceiling is high and the island needs a stronger visual element;
- the pendant lamps are very small and appear disconnected from the worktop;
- The island is used mainly when seated and the line of sight when standing remains unobstructed.
Make adjustments in small increments. A two-inch adjustment is easy to see on a paper template and much harder to undo after you've attached the electrical box and duct cover.
Check sight lines while sitting and standing
The height isn't correct until it works from the positions that matter. Tape a paper circle to the proposed height of the lampshade's lower edge, or hang a lightweight template on a temporary table. Stand at the main setup point, then sit on each stool. Look toward the person in front and toward the room beyond the island. If the lampshade occupies the most important line of sight, raise it or move the group slightly toward the task area.
Test with the lights on. A glass lampshade that seems almost invisible in daylight can become a bright focal point after dark. The Morandi uses an E27 bulb, and the data sheet indicates a maximum wattage of 40W; the final level of glare will depend on the shape and wattage of the bulb and whether it's visible through the chosen glass finish. 
Consider small pendant lamps as a group
A 15 cm lampshade is small enough that owners often hang it too low to make it seem more imposing. Avoid trying to solve the problem of proportion by adjusting the height alone. If a pendant light seems lost, first try two or three at the correct height. A balanced grouping gives the island a stronger visual line without placing a single light fixture in the center of everyone's view.
For a 6-inch lamp, keep the bottom edge of the shade the same for each pendant. Don't stagger the heights unless the space design intentionally requires it; misaligned bottom points make a tidy island look haphazard and make it difficult to control sight lines. 
Check the ceiling and electrical system before setting the height
Check the location of the junction box, the slope of the ceiling, the compatibility of the trim, and the mounting bracket for each pendant. A sloped ceiling may require level hardware; the product page doesn't specify this compatibility, so confirm before purchasing. The specification indicates 110-240 VAC and indoor use, but installation must still comply with local electrical codes.
For hard-wired projects, follow the Electrical Safety Foundation International's home electrical safety guidelines . If lights dim when other appliances are turned on, switches buzz, or circuit breakers repeatedly trip, have the circuit checked by a qualified electrician before adding more pendant lights. 
Once the height has passed the sitting and standing tests, consult the available lampshade and base combinations for the Morandi pendant lamp and inform the installer of the measured distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I measure up to the trim or up to the lampshade?
Measure from the countertop to the lowest point of the lampshade. Then use the height of the trim and the fixture to calculate the total drop.
Is 30 inches too small?
Not automatically. They may work when standing with clear sight lines, but test tall people and the view of the environment before setting the height.
Is 36 inches too much for a small pendant light?
On a large or high ceiling, they may seem excessive. Try a paper template and adjust the height in small increments.
How does the 17 cm height of the Morandi affect the cable?
The body takes up some of the total sag, so subtract its height from the connection point calculation instead of guessing the cable length.
Can I install pendant lights myself?
Only if local regulations allow it and you have the necessary skills; for fixed wiring, it's best to entrust the inspection and completion of the work to a qualified electrician.
