Most of the time, buy the pendant
We make custom lighting, so this might sound odd coming from us: for most homes, a good ready-made pendant is the right call. You can see it before you buy, it arrives quickly, and if the size is right there's nothing to gain by waiting.
Custom is worth it in a narrower set of situations. Here's how to tell which one you're in.
When off-the-shelf works
- The size fits. Over a dining table, the usual guide is a fitting about half to two-thirds of the table's width, hung 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91cm) above the top. If a catalogue pendant falls inside that, you're done.
- You need it soon. Ready-made stock takes days or weeks to arrive. A made-to-order piece takes months.
- The style is common. Domes, globes and simple clusters are easy to find in plenty of finishes.
- You may change it later. If you expect to redo the room in a few years, don't sink time into something made to measure.
Our ceiling lamps and decorative lighting are a good place to start.
When custom is worth it
The proportions don't exist in a catalogue. This is the most common reason. With about 2.6m floor to ceiling in most HDB flats, and the usual 7 ft (about 2.13m) clearance where people walk, many shop-bought designs are simply too tall. A long island or a 2.4m dining table can also need a linear fitting about a third to half the table's length, and that size can be hard to find in the style you want.
It has to match something. Maybe it's a finish already used on the cabinetry, a colour from the brand, or a run of identical pendants across a shop front and a home in the same project. Ready-made ranges rarely line up exactly.
The space is awkward. Sloping or stepped ceilings, beams, a light point that's off-centre from the table, or a void over a staircase. Those are easier to design around than to force a standard drop into.
It's the main feature of the room. If the pendant is what people notice first when they walk in, it's worth getting exactly right.
You need many of them. Designers and contractors fitting out several units or a commercial space often need consistent pieces in a quantity that retail stock can't promise.
What to weigh up honestly
| Off-the-shelf | Custom | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time | Usually short, from stock | Around 2 months with us, depending on complexity |
| Seeing it first | Showroom or photos of the actual item | Agreed through consultation and drawings |
| Fit to your space | Choose from what's made | Sized to your ceiling and furniture |
| Change of mind | Depends on the retailer | No refunds for change of mind, since it's made for you |
That last row matters. Something made to your measurements can't easily be sold to anyone else, so with us there are no refunds for change of mind on custom work. Take the time at the consultation stage to be sure. Every piece we make is covered by a 1-year product warranty.
A quick test
Answer three questions:
- Have you found a ready-made pendant that's the right size for your ceiling and table?
- Does it need to match a specific finish, colour or set?
- Can you wait around 2 months?
If you said yes to the first one, buy it. If you said no to the first, yes to the second or third, and you can wait, custom is probably worth talking about.
Talking it through
Home Genie has been in Singapore for 40 years. Our custom lighting is designed and made to suit your space, for homes, businesses, interior designers and contractors, and we can discuss trade terms. The first consultation is free and site visits are available. Send a photo of the space and your ceiling height on WhatsApp 8837 6682, or call the office on 6741 4377.
FAQ
Is a custom pendant light worth it?
It's worth it when a ready-made pendant can't get the size, drop or finish you need, when it has to match a set or finish, or when it's the main feature of the room. If a catalogue pendant fits, buying ready-made is usually the better choice.
How big should a pendant over a dining table be?
A common guide is about half to two-thirds of the table's width, hung 76 to 91cm (30 to 36 inches) above the tabletop. A linear fitting should be about a third to half the table's length.
How long does a custom pendant take?
At Home Genie, made-to-order lighting takes around 2 months, depending on how complex the design is.
Can I return a custom light if I change my mind?
No. Custom pieces are made to your measurements, so there are no refunds for change of mind. Home Genie custom lighting carries a 1-year product warranty.
Do you work with interior designers and contractors?
Yes. We work with homes, businesses, designers and contractors, and trade terms can be discussed. The first consultation is free. WhatsApp 8837 6682.
