Pool Table Lighting - Billiard Pendant or Island Pendant Lighting

   Most people think that the pool table is the center piece to their pool room or family den. Wrong! A pool table is a pool table is a pool table, until it's properly lit. The center piece to a pool room is the light above the pool table. Unless you are Ray Charles, you probably can't play pool in the dark, and you certainly can't play pool when you have shadows interfering with the playing field
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   Pool room lighting or billiard room lighting is the finishing touch that sets off and displays your pool table. Until then it's a piece of furniture. Like dry toast without the jam. That beautiful 3 light Tiffany Island Pendant or Tiffany Oblong Pendant that hangs above the playing surface is what makes or breaks your pool table area.

   Bottom Line: What you choose for your pool room lighting becomes the center piece of your pool room.

   Ok pool shark let's slow down and consider some important things about your lighting options. There are a few things to take into consideration and taking some time to do a little homework will result in years of enjoyment for your family and friends. As well as add beauty, style and personality to this favorite part of the house and/or pool table setting.

   First, let's assume that you have looked at the ceiling above your pool table and considered that there is someplace for the lighting system to hang from. Some pool tables and Billiard Tables take up a lot of real estate.  Second, is it properly wired  or can it be properly wired so that the lighting can be centered, and third, high enough to allow your new 3 light Tiffany Island Pendant or Tiffany Oblong Billiard Pendant to hang approximately 30" to 32" above the pool table playing surface.

   You want to make sure that your new Island or Billiard lighting system illuminates up to the edge of the pool table. If it is to high the lights will interfere with your eyes, if it is to low the lights can be damaged by an erratic pool ball, cue stick or your head. Most systems work well with 60 watt bulbs, however depending on the setting and pool table shape or size, 40 watt bulbs might work just as well.

  Now comes the exciting part, choosing the lighting system.

   The two best lighting styles to consider is an Island Pendant (either 2 light or 3 light) or Billiard Pendant (Oblong Pendant). From here the choice is yours and depends on your taste. Right now you are probably still reeling from the pool table center piece thing but trust me the right lighting will turn a nice piece of furniture into a beautiful pool table.
  Tiffany Style Lighting has been mentioned for a reason. Nothing says pool room faster than a beautiful 3 light Tiffany Island Pendant or Tiffany Billiard Pendant. Here is the difference between the two.

- Island Pendant - Ceiling fixture usually multi-shaded, horizontally hung and generally best suited for a kitchen island, bar, pool table or above a counter top.

- Billiard Pendant - Single shade ceiling fixture usually 30" or longer in length, horizontally hung and generally best suited for a bar, den or pool table.

   So you can see either one will work well for lighting your pool room. Tiffany Oblong Pendants are very popular since you can get them in so many different themes. If you also love to Sport Fish, Golf, Hunt, Fly, play Baseball or any other sport you choose, companies like the Meyda Tiffany Company has Oblong Pendants with those types of themes. Or you can choose a slogan like Budweiser, Coca Cola, Cheers, or Billiards. From simple to complex and beautiful, nothing says Pool Room like a Tiffany Billiard Pendant or Oblong Pendant.

   If you would like to go in a different but just as functional direction, consider a Tiffany Island Pendant. Either a 2 light system or 3 light system. Many Island Pendants also come in themes or slogans or just simple styles. They are a little more versatile simply because at some point if you want to change to different shades it's as easy as buying new shades with a different theme, style or slogan. Either one properly set and lit will have the same results.

A wonderful time and the potential for lot's of shark bait!

   Cost can be a major factor in choosing either style of lighting. Fortunately there is a price range for everyone interested in these pool room lighting styles. The cost for either style starts as low as a $100. Tiffany Pendants in this price range use a less substantial material and they won't offer the finer crisper beauty of the more expensive pendants, however they can be just a functional and the savings might be worth it. On the higher side you can pay $500, $1000 up to $2000 and more. Of course you get what you pay for. These expensive lamps are truly beautiful and will capture and hold the gaze of anyone looking at them.