You know, in some situations the only sensible choice of light fitting is a pendant light.  Recessed lighting has changed the look of our interiors but, for sheer flexibility, the pendant light has it.

Pendant lights are graceful, elegant and, above all, versatile; nowadays they are just as at home in the kitchen as in the lounge and that old fly graveyard, the glass blown shell, is a thing of the past.  The variety of styles now available covers the whole gamut of modern design, with some traditional and historical designs thrown in for good measure.

Many people use this type of lighting in the kitchen and a row of pendants hung above a long island unit can look spectacular, especially when layered with other forms of lighting.  The same is true of a pendant fitting over the dining area; switch the other lighting in the room off and its good as dining by candlelight.

Whatever room you're thinking of illuminating, a little planning and forethought will ensure that you achieve your desired effect; you need to think about the space you're lighting as well as the existing dcor.  It may sound obvious but it's worth getting it right.  For instance, if you're illuminating a small hallway or corner, you'll only need a small fitting - and you'll certainly only need one.  On the other hand, if you're buying a pendant for your lounge or dining room, you'll need something somewhat larger, perhaps even tiered and you may well need more than one of them.

As already mentioned, the way your room is decorated will, to a certain extent, determine the type of pendant fitting you choose.  No matter - whether you want sleek elegance, Victorian fussiness, or modern minimalism, you will be able to find exactly the right fitting.

Then, of course, consideration must be given to the lighting effect.  Do you, for instance, want a vertical, narrow beam of light or more of a rosy glow?  For the former effect, you would need to choose narrow, cylindrical shades, while a shallow bowl would give you the cosy effect you're looking for.

Whether you're looking for a triangular shade or a square one, a dish or a globe, you'll find it out there somewhere.  And even in shades of the same shape, there's a whole host of choice, depending on the material used for construction - a crystal cylinder gives a totally different look to, say, a black resin one.

It might be the oldest type of artificial light fitting but there is nothing old-fashioned about the new pendant lights; they're a truly inspired combination of versatility and style.