Nice brief guide — here are the top modern pendant styles and specific fixtures to consider for a living room, across budgets and looks, plus compact buying/placement tips.

Top modern pendant picks (by style)

• Sculptural / designer statement — PH 5 (Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen). Timeless, glare‑controlled layered shade that works as art and ambient light in larger living rooms or high ceilings. (louispoulsen.com)
• Soft organic / cocoon — West Elm “Cirrus” pendant. An affordable sculpted form that gives warm, diffused light and plays well over a seating area. (westelm.com)
• Midcentury-modern / refined — Rejuvenation “Blaine” pendant. Midcentury proportions, opal glass + metal options; good if you want a designer look without ultra‑high prices. (rejuvenationhome.ca)
• Clean globe / minimal — CB2 Moon Globe pendant. Simple opaline globe for even, modern ambient light — easy to pair, available in multiple sizes/finishes. (cb2.com)
• Natural / boho — Rattan or woven pendants (Serena & Lily / West Elm styles). Great for warm, textural living rooms and biophilic interiors. (architecturaldigest.com)
• Budget/versatile modern — simple conical/minimal pendants (examples recommended by BHG like the AllModern Laroche). Good for mood lighting or clusters on lower ceilings. (bhg.com)

Which to choose for your space (short guidance)

• Focal vs. ambient: pick a sculptural/large pendant (PH 5, Cirrus) as a focal point for an open living room; pick smaller globes or multiples (CB2 Moon Globe or clustered mini pendants) for layered ambient light. (louispoulsen.com)
• Scale rule of thumb: the fixture’s diameter should feel proportional to the seating area — large sofas/open plans tolerate 20–36"+ pendants; small rooms do better with 10–16" globes or multiple minis. (Design guides recommend sizing and proportion attention when selecting pendants.) (bhg.com)

Practical buying & installation tips

• Use warm LEDs (2700–3000 K) in living rooms for cozy color and high-CRI bulbs if color accuracy matters. (lumens.com)
• Make the pendant dimmable (or use a dimmable LED + compatible dimmer) so you can shift mood from task to relaxing ambient light. Many modern pendants list dimmer compatibility. (westelm.com)
• Height: if hanging over a seating area, keep the bottom of the pendant high enough to avoid sightline obstruction (often 30–36" above a coffee table; higher if no table beneath). For center‑of‑room fixtures with no furniture directly beneath, hang to feel visually balanced and clear of heads — consider ceiling height. (architecturaldigest.com)
• Consider multiple pendants or a cluster for even illumination in larger rooms rather than one single light source. (dujeng.com)
• Hardwired fixtures usually require professional installation; check UL/ETL listing and mounting specs before buying. Many retailers note dimmer compatibility, max bulb wattage, and mounting details on product pages. (cb2.com)

Price ranges (typical)

• Designer icons / higher end: $700–$1,500+ (PH 5, high‑end Rejuvenation pieces). (lumens.com)
• Mid-range: $250–$700 (West Elm, CB2, many boutique lines). (westelm.com)
• Budget: <$250 (mass‑market modern pendants and cluster knockoffs). (bhg.com)

If you want, I can now:

• give 3–5 specific fixtures matched to your ceiling height and sofa size, or
• show best current sellers under a specific budget (e.g., under $200, $200–$600, designer).

(If you’d like me to pick for your exact room, tell me ceiling height, approximate seating area width, and your budget and I’ll give a short tailored shortlist.)