2 pendants I think three is too many for the space.

My island is going to be 3.5 x 8 and I decided on going with 2 oversized lighting fixtures rather than 3. Thought that the 3 may look too much. Good luck on decision :)

I've never heard of anyone complaining of having too much light.

My island is smaller than yours - a little over 6' x 3' - and I went with three smaller ones. Main reason was function: the sink is in the island and I wanted maximum light on that instead of two lights flanking it. Also, the location of our joists and ceiling ducting dictated that pendants could not be hung perfectly symmetrically, whether we went with two exactly one-third of the way in from each side, or three placed at quarter intervals. Since the island layout is also asymmetrical (big sink flanked by dishwasher on one side and smallish trash pullout on the other), placing three lights slightly asymmetrically mimicked the asymmetry of the island and made the whole feel planned and purposeful. With two, nothing above lined up with what was below. With three, we created the illusion of some symmetry.

Thanks all for your opinions!

3, unless you are doing oversized pendants

I personally prefer two larger sconces. We have a 14' island in our new build. I did not want to use 3 but really had no choice. I went with three large glass pendants. However, if my island was your size I would definitely do two.

This is a fave kitchen of mine from Houzz. I love the two large pendants they used.

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Charlotte Interior Designers & Decorators Carolina Design Associates, LLC

Thanks for the picture Aktillery. That's similar to what I had in mind.

i have three RH benson pendants over my 3x8 island.

@elizabeth714 Hi Elizabeth, I know its been a few years, but we are looking at the Benson pendants as well for our 3x7 island. Did you use the 13 or 7 inch pendants, and do you happen to have a picture of your completed space?