Paper Pendant Lamp
Buy the best paper pendant lamp selected and recommended by interior designers. By Vanessa Weber.
Pendant lamps are a lovely way to light the home, but sometimes they are too heavy to mount. If that is your issue, a paper pendant lamp might be the solution. They are stylish, attractive, and we have plenty of options to match the aesthetic of your home. They can suit any taste and accept typical lamp light bulbs. Take a look at our collection and see if a paper pendant lamp is right for your space.
Paper Pendant Lamp
Buying Guide
Vanessa Weber
Interior Design Expert
Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.
When Japanese designer and artist Isamu Noguchi created the Akari hanging lamps, little did he know that it would become ubiquitous with paper pendant lighting around the world. It would be fair to say that almost every paper pendant lamp that we see on the internet today, draws inspiration from Noguchi’s creation in one way or the other.
The fragile but airy construction, the thin frame or the complete lack of it, clubbed with brilliant artistry gives a lightweight twist, to an otherwise, traditional and heavy lighting fixture. That’s what makes paper pendant lamps ideal for aesthetics, functionality as well as ambience.
If you are looking to add one of these versatile lamps to your home, then here’s some help.
Paper pendants can be styled traditionally, with highly ornate designs that draw inspiration from vintage décor. Or, it can be transitional or contemporary, or a blend of everything. Nothing’s written in stone.
For example, a Chinese lantern with a vintage chain that hangs from the ceiling. Or an ornate drum pendant with a simple rope that suspends it from the ceiling. There is no dearth of choices.
Paper pendant lamps can cast the beam downwards or upwards depending on the design.
- Down lighting is the more natural choice if the pendant is hung over a kitchen island or a billiards table or in an entryway. It provides you with a more focused beam of light that improves visibility for the task that you are performing.
- Up lighting in paper pendants is less common. But it is an option that can be used effectively to improve the ambient lighting in a space. Pendants with candle-styled lights in particular make great accent pieces in a layered lighting setup.
You can also select the paper pendant light depending on its intended use and the location where it will be installed.
- A drum pendant, for example, is mainly used in large living rooms. These have a drum-shaped, upward pointing pendant often with multiple lighting fixtures.
- Bowl pendants, on the other hand, can be used as task lights and installed over kitchen tables or work desks.
- Entryways and foyers usually have bell pendants because they are intended to be more decorative than functional.
- Mini pendants, on the other hand, can be fixed just about anywhere.
A quick search on the internet will give you access to thousands of DIY tutorials to make paper pendant lamps. And some of them are so detailed, that it’s akin to having a tutor grab your hands and guide you one step at a time.
Did ‘Arts and Crafts’ class give your nightmares in school? This might be a great opportunity to hone your skills and gain some boasting rights in your circle. DIY paper lamps look stunning. But more importantly, there’s nothing more satisfying than to see your own handicraft garner praises.
If you are juggling one thing too many, then you can always buy one off the shelf. There are thousands of designs to choose from.
Pendant paper lamps can be made of rice paper (Chinese lanterns), pretty paper, construction paper or tissue paper.
- If you are looking for a soft, diffused light, then construction paper works best. It is available at most arts and crafts stores and it is easy to work with.
- Tissue paper is more translucent. But you can always use a dimmer to soften the glow.
- Rice paper is an excellent choice due to its texture and the finish. However, it might not be available as easily as some of the other options.