I'm sorry. It's silly, I know, but I can't write this without thinking of Chris Farley saying "fat guy in a little coat". Unlike that unfortunate pairing, though, an over-sized pendant in a small room just works:
Large as it may be, the pendant takes up no floor space since it's suspended overhead. What it does do, though, is introduce an entirely new scale, creating a dynamic feeling that livens a small space. This living room by Faiella Design exemplifies the phenomenon:
What do you think? Would you do this in a small room of your own? Or have you already?
Images: Faiella Design, Tommy Boy

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sure i would! having many small furniture/fixture in a small room makes the room look even smaller! i'd rather have few big pieces in a room.
it works for me :)
I just hung a huge Nelson saucer pendant in my relatively tiny dining area. As soon as I saw how big the box was, I felt sick to my stomach. I was sure it was a mistake, but it looks amazing! It has transformed our space and pulls everything together. The Nelson pendant also gives of an amazing sunny quality of light.
Already got one in my (tiny) living room :-)
what a gorgeous room! big pendant is on my list of "wants" - good to know my small space won't hinder me from buying one!
http://www.thelateafternoon.com
Does anyone know where that coffee table is from? It's got a very nice look about it.
I love that room
Love this pic, looks amazing! I also have big rice paper laterns in my livingroom, my study and the bedroom and like it a lot. If Nelson lamps would be more available here in Germany I would have indulged in one...
For me big but non frilly lighting can look great in a room when the ceiling is high enough.
I have an IKEA MASKROS pendant (the one that looks like a dandelion) hanging over the bed in my small bedroom. I love it there!
The height of the room matters more than its square footage -- this room looks quite tall.
Gigantic pendant lights and Tommy Boy RULE!
I agree with akay that it depends on ceiling height. And in a rental, it depends on whether your landlord will allow ceiling hooks to be installed! I have one existing celing hook in my studio and plan to make the most of it, but think a huge pendant would't go well with my average-height ceiling.
The coffee table is from www.jasonleesdesign.com
This post made me giggle at my desk. ;) Love big pendant lights and love Chris Farley.
I thoroughly approve of Chris Farley as an inspiration to us all.
Any excuse to remember Chris Farley is a good one :)
Big pendant lights AND Tommy Boy? Sold :) We have a big paper lantern (the Ikea one that has a flat bottom) in out bedroom and we love it. I really agree that it all depends on the ceiling height, however. We are blessed with high ceilings, so we never feel overpowered or anything.
The photo is gorgeous but I agree it totally depends on ceiling height... sadly, people would be hitting their heads on that fixture if we hung it from our 8' ceiling.