i think 3 should be fine......5 sounds like too much to me, unless they are mini pendants.

i would search for pendants you like, and then determine how many would look right. i kept thinking 3 because of the odd number rule. then i found pendants i really wanted and they were bigger than i thought.

oh....fyi, our island is about 7 1/2 ft.....

we went with 2 and it looks perfect.

hope this helps.....

Thanks so much gglks--
I'd love to see pics of how yours turned out.

Our island is about the same size and we are going with two. But we do have columns on each end, so I think if they weren't there I would have done three. I'll tell you how it looks at the end of the week!

Thanks for the feedback, amylovesbud...
and good luck this week!

Anyone else???

here's a few pics to see what 2 pendants look like

I agree with gglks that the number you use depends on the style and size of lighting fixture itself; you'll need fewer lights with larger units.

How deep is your island? if it's 48" or more, one mini pendant would not have enough spread. if your counter is 24-30", then you could use mini pendants.

My island is 50" x 72" and I have 4 contemporary mini pendants in a rectangular shape.

It is an important decision; try to hold off deciding until you find the fixture you like (or at least sure of the size).

I now have the same dilemma. My island will be almost 9' by 4' and I had the electrician rough in 2 spots because I wanted a couple pretty chandeliers - and now DH has completely nixed that idea. Boo hoo hoo. I am so upset about this because it has been in my "vision" for this kitchen the whole time. So I will need to find 2 larger size pendants for the space - unless it's pretty easy to add another box later on?? We are just starting drywall so I don't know if I'll be able to change the positions/number very easily. didn't mean to take over your post!

I think that 2 pendants should be substantial (as gglks' kitchen, which by the way makes me drool everytime I see that backsplash) - what is your lighting plan for the remaining portion of the island?

Wow, beautiful gglks!
nuccia--
Our peninsula will be 24"+15" overhang, so roughly 40" deep and will be a one level sit-at, so good light for homework/food prep, eating, etc... is important.
mairin--
I'm sorry to about your vision gone awry!
The good news is that there are millions of pendants to choose from.
We will have 6 inset lights and one middle ceiling fixture on the rest of the kitchen ceiling, but the pendants are pretty much it for the peninsula.
The electrician wired in 3 boxes yesterday, 27" apart and gave me a catalogue of pendants since I seemed so stuck.
I liked the ones below--
Any thoughts as to whether they'd work?
At 11 1/2 " wide... too small?

Here is a link that might be useful: pendant possibility

I love that pendant! I don't think it will be too small, especially for three of them. my quick math tells me it will leave about 16 inches between each?

mairin--
Thanks for taking a look.
It would leave about 15 1/2" between,
would that be enough do you think?