Also, I am intrigued with this no pendant thought. I have big glass bowl pendants so they visually don't stand out. But wow how much more open it would be without them! And I prefer the light from the cans anyway.

What's your motivation for changing light fixtures in a rental?

I'd choose something along the lines of the black metal. Renters can't break it, and it brings in some color over the island, which is welcome.

Can you just replace the shades?

From the rental side, I'd pick for three things in this order: nothing breakable, nothing that glares, and a scale that finally matches that island.

Of your mock-ups, the open black lantern style is the one I'd choose. It has the "bigger presence" you're after, the metal shade or cage protects the bulb, and it suits the warm wood cabinets and the dark counter better than the bare-bulb options, which look harsh in a kitchen that nice and will have tenants asking you to swap them.

Sizing is where most islands go wrong: your current pendants are too small for the length of the island, which is why they read dated. For a two-pendant look, go about 12 to 14 inches wide each, centered over the island with the bottoms around 30 to 36 inches above the counter. Space them evenly so there's roughly the same gap at each end of the island as between the two fixtures.

Two landlord-friendly details: use frosted or warm-white LED bulbs (2700K) so the light is soft even without a dimmer, and look for fixtures with a solid metal shade rather than seeded glass or rattan; they wipe clean between tenants and nothing gets chipped on move-out day. Painted black metal with a brass interior is a nice middle ground if you want a little warmth.

I found THIS brushed gold pendant in two sizes. A 12" and 17". I like the 17"...it's a bigger presence. I'm NOT rewiring the counter to have a single pendant. And I found the lights on Ebay for about $100 each with shipping.

Or...frosted glass...and the cage would protect the glass.....Only $80ea!

(Note: If a tenant breaks anything...it comes out of their deposit. The glass looks like something I can order/replace.)

how does the cage protect the glass?

Ok....the cage partially protects the glass...and frosted holders prevent glare...? It's probably too fancy for the look...? Just another pendant for consideration....it's pretty.

As a tall person, I would vote for recessed lighting. We tried hanging pendants over our island and they either didn't provide what we felt was enough light or we were hitting our heads/working in shadows.

Do you have the next renter lined up? Would you give them an opinion as a way to show them how nice you are to work with, hoping theystay 7 years?

@RNmomof2 zone 5....no next renter yet...It's not available until November 10th. Usually places rent 5 days prior. People don't plan ahead. :0) And...no....I don't consult tenants about decor. Tenants are NOT allowed to alter the property...it's in the lease.

The black open cage one probably meets your needs best. Or, as others said, just do recessed lights over the island.

I am in the camp of of recessed lighting as the pendants make the space look busy and closed off. I had the same sort of situation in my apartment and tried various pendants and in the end decided it looked better without them.

The pendant lights are "jewelry"! The house needs jewelry!

I agree that decorative lighting fixtures are a valuable part of a lighting plan. Recessed fixtures have their place, but a good lighting plan embodies multiple types of lighting. Islands definitely benefit from hanging fixtures, and I don't think they take away from anything in your kitchen NiCOZ5.

I think I slightly prefer the black lanterns first shared over the gold ones. I was trying to find the ones I have which are apparently discontinued but by Qupoizel with 3 light.s. The finish was called silver gold and it really goes with both. It has a bit more curve to it. This is the fixture but with 4 light....

Anyway I don't find the bulbs irritating in the least and I do think the pendants are jewelry. I'm sure whatever you decide will be lovely.

I, too, prefer the recessed fixtures, but if you're going for pendants, my vote is the second post, the black lanterns.

I'd avoid the ones with the frosted glass. Shades that are open at the top trap bugs, and tenants would need to remove them regularly to clean (one would hope) and increase the chance of breaking one.

You have two of those can lights already. They look fine. I do NOT like those lights all over the ceiling. Yes, pick pendants fot the island.

Make it easy on yourself and your tenants and use can lights . Keeping fabric or rattan clean in a kitchen would be a nightmare! Think of how often the shades in your home need attention, and there they’re easier to reach than pendants.

And glass pendants, not just globes, certainly need lots of attention, and they’re all breakable!

Edit. Oh! And black shows dust better than anything! High maintenance!

Why in the world does ANYONE like those stupid can lights? They are just plain ugly!

@Sherry8aNorthAL You know what they say about opinions.

For me minimal lights looks good.

Why in the world does ANYONE like those stupid can lights? They are just plain ugly!

Becuase they provide really good light, and can be adjusted easily with dimmers. They are best used sparingly and along side other sources of light.

To me, pendants read as clutter. a huge distraction. i also dislike table lamps. i like magic light. i guess i like both stupid and smart can lights. this is why theres chocolate and vanilla.. westsider40 westy

I want room lighting tobe a background element, not a point of interest. furnishings and art are focalpoints, ime. design and function are important.

I STILL think they are ugly! They mess up my ceiling. I will never like them. If I bought a house with them, they would be the first thing ripped out.

I vote no on any pendants over an island. They interfere with the visual space. I'd replace with recessed lights.

https://youtube.com/shorts/ZmdKeNKHk9U?si=yVoN1uWjJsKuqa42

I want room lighting tobe a background element, not a point of interest. furnishings and art are focalpoints, ime. design and function are important.

~~

i also dislike table lamps. i like magic light.

Lamps can be artistic, and are furnishings. They are also part of design and function. They reflect our personalities and style. I am a lampoholic, and vintage/antiques, so the majority of our lamps have been made from found objects. They do not demand more attention than anything else in the room.

~~

If you do not have lamps, what are you layering to get "magic light?" Or only have recessed on dimmers?

Maybe she/he has a magic wand?

😂Diana

I showed my husband the ideas presented HERE. He thinks metal shades will only offer downward light...and he thinks the room needs MORE light than just single light pendants or cams. He favors the 3-4 light open cages. That narrows it down and will be my prime focus. Tenants can always opt to NOT use the pendants...just use the canned lights that are already there and the natural light from the sliding glass door and windows.

I found a floor lamp I liked at Lamps Plus. They have all kinds of lighting different from what everyone else is carrying.

Allison, I agree with your nicely stated defense of lamps. Thanks for writing.

I like lamps but I like widespread, from-the-top illumination better. We add can lights wherever we go.. because we can 😁

I like the black open lanterns for the pendants - they will be a nice touch in the space

I like both of the black pendants in the top row of the montage. I am not a fan of the open lighting that look like candles.

I think these are kind of nice.They look unbreakable....I ordered two...I'll try them out....

I apologize for failing to say previously, that you have a beautiful, fresh and welcoming room. lovely and tasteful. enjoy your space. westy lotta great space and surfaces. bright,fresh and clean.

I did a mock up with Chat. THIS is what it will look like when installed.

How do you like it? My house has a similar set up, I don’t love the heavy black look. I chose recessed over my island. I went over all the options in my head and ultimately decided the openness was more to my taste.

They will light the counter - you have very little overhead lighting in your kitchen, so I would want pendants that cast broader light

" How do you like it? "

I think it gives a bistro...open concept look. Here's another shot of the rental. The fireplace has a carrera marble/stone surround. A walk-in pantry with a glass etched "Pantry" door in the back. Each of my rentals has it's own personality. :0) I think it works for the clientele it will attract.

I like that the black shades match the appliances and the fireplace in color. The current ones look wimpy and too ”country” for the test of the space.

To me, lighting is the ”jewelry”.

I don't think there's a lack of lighting. You have an adjacent patio door for daytime light and under-cabinet lighting for prepping. The pendants will provide good task-lighting on the counter. A dimmer switch would be nice for anyone chatting over a glass of wine at the island.

The spacing of your existing pendants are a bit far apart compared to the island. Make sure you check the size of the pendants as you will want them to be well within the footprint of the island (not up to or going over the edge of the island). You may need to reposition the junction boxes closer together so the spacing is correct.

The black shades look right with the appliances and the fireplace. If you go with Eileen’s dimmer idea, one thing worth checking: the bulbs need to say “dimmable” on the box, and the dimmer should be rated for LED. Mismatched LED bulbs and dimmers are a common cause of flickering or a faint buzz, which is exactly the kind of small issue tenants end up calling about. Swapping the switch is a quick job for electricians, or probably for your husband since he’s done remodels for years.

The bulb just screws in, I checked. It's a standard base, E26. The shade canopy is 12". The top mount is a standard 4". I can do texture and paint myself, in case I scuff it when installing. I have matching paint and did the remodel with my husband...a professional remodeler for the last 60 years. I'm looking forward to the "updated-look".

Oh...and....I paid $15 a fixture, NIB, before tax and shipping.

I like THIS one too @ $150ea...

Use some painters tape and rub n buff and add that gold band yourself.