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39 Stylish Lighting Ideas for Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most-used spaces in a home. Not only is it used for meal preparation, but it is the space that guests naturally congregate. A good lighting scheme is a must for the proverbial heart of your house.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Vintage style meets industrial minimalism for this semi-flush-mount ceiling light. Paired with slate blue cabinets and stone tile floors, these fixtures impart an edge to this trendy kitchen design. Statement lighting isn’t just for above an island; don’t neglect your kitchen sink lighting.

Explore more Over Sink Lighting Ideas!

Copper and Chartreuse

For this traditional kitchen design, Leah Atkins of Leah Atkins Design uses copper pendants to light a kitchen island. The warm texture blends with the paneled wood cabinets. Bright green upholstered bar stools provide a whimsical touch.

Hub of the Home

For her renovation of the Laurel Avenue Residence, Kelly Taylor of Kelly Taylor Interior Designs conceived the kitchen as a central hub for the home. Three bass globe pendants hang above the island, illuminating this multi-functional surface. This space is the homeowner’s very favorite in the completed renovation.

Ready, Aim

Kitchen lighting is highly task oriented, meaning you need your fixtures to deliver light to the surfaces where you’ll be slicing, dicing and cooking. These modern white pendants can be aimed where you need them. As an added bonus, they contribute a lot of style to your kitchen.

Mixing Finishes

These simple brass pendants feature a wrapped suspension cable that lends a nautical flare. Don’t be afraid to mix brass fixtures and details in a kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Warm wood tones further ensure a cohesive effect.

Industrial Living

A loft apartment kitchen benefits from modernized industrial fixtures. The combination of glazed walls and exposed bricks calls for a pendant that is made to last. These white fixtures tie into the white brick walls while chrome accents coordinate with cabinet hardware.

Additional No Island Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Focal Fixtures

Make a show-stopping light fixture the focal point of your kitchen. This wooden linear suspension fixture picks up on the wood cabinet finishes, adding warmth and texture to this modern design. Linear fixtures are a simplified alternative to a series of pendants.

Modern Candlelight

This kitchen refresh in Pennsylvania by Deborah Bettcher of Decorating Den Interiors mixes traditional and contemporary elements. She selected pendants for above the island and dining table that resemble tapered candles, adding warmth and sparkle. Thoughtful touches like banquette seating and window valences round out the space.

All in the Details

A mostly white kitchen makes a home feel freshly renovated. For this kitchen design by Andrea Van Soest of Vantage Design Studio, two glass globe pendants illuminate the counter. The black detailing of the fixtures coordinates with the black kitchen faucet and bar stools.

How High Should Pendant Lights be Above a Counter?

Neutral, Not Plain

If you are aiming for an all white or nearly all white kitchen design, choose pendants that complement the tone. But of course you don’t want your kitchen to be boring. These pendants feature a chunky chain and gold lining, allowing them to work with the neutral decor while adding a bit of pizzaz.

New Take on Chandeliers

Crystal chandeliers immediately add elegance to any space. This modern take features clear glass rods, elevating this kitchen with an artful flourish. These fixtures work in both traditional and contemporary interior designs.

Focal Point

Sometimes you want your kitchen lighting to blend with the overall decor or nearly disappear, but other kitchen designs call for a focal point. This fixture offers a take on the mid century modern sputnik fixture, reinterpreted with blown glass elements. Bold fixtures are a good option for spaces with vaulted ceilings.

Explore Vaulted Ceiling Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Dueling Fixtures

For this elegant residence in London, Benjamin Ibanez of FCI Interiors made the light fixtures the focal point of the open kitchen and dining area. A dramatic, cascading multi-pendant fixture with smoked glass shades dominates the dining area. A structured double-ended pendant illuminates the kitchen island.

Explore more Dining Lighting Ideas Here

Dark Magic

Black makes a bold statement as part of a kitchen design. These sleek black pendants with chunky chains contribute to the dramatic effect of this kitchen. The contrast of light and dark and smooth and textured captures the eye.

Jewel Tones

A moody kitchen design is punctuated by these jewelry-like mini pendants above the counter. While many people opt for bright white kitchens, don’t be afraid to go for darker tones. The kitchen is often a space for entertaining, and this one offers a cozy spot for a glass of wine.

Architectural Lighting

Some light fixtures almost appear as if they are a piece of architecture. This linear pendant features wood fins, making it an excellent choice for spaces with lots of wood detailing. It can either blend in or stand out, depending on the backdrop.

Don't Fear Color

This colorful kitchen combines patterned wallpaper, hanging plants and a green stove with earth-toned walls and cabinets. The boho chic vibe continues with the elegant semi-flush ceiling light, which picks up on the kitchen’s brass hardware. Don’t be afraid to incorporate color; just be sure the fixtures and hardware are simple and cohesive.

Bridging Multiple Styles

Rustic meets modern in this open-concept kitchen. Exposed wood rafters and decking coordinate with wood-faced cabinets, shelving and solid-wood pendants hanging above the island. Stainless steel counters, appliances and island remind us this a modern, upgraded kitchen.

Learn How Many Pendants over a Kitchen Island

Optical Illusion

This modern kitchen by Pamela O'Brien of Pamela Hope Designs features subtle pendants above the island. Their metal frames seem to disappear from certain angles. The silver finish coordinates with the stainless steel appliances and chrome fixtures.

Discover Modern Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas!

Perfect Symmetry

A clean, symmetrical kitchen design benefits from two sets of elegant globe pendants. The lighting echos the layout of the space, adequately lighting both sets of kitchen islands. The pendants’ metal framework stands out against the white backdrop.

Explore Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas Here

Vision in Gray

A cool kitchen with soft tones of gray calls for elegant light fixtures. These mini pendants have frosted glass shades. They coordinate with a larger multi light pendant in a dining alcove.

Open Air

Have a lot of space to fill in your kitchen but on a tight budget? Open air frame light fixtures are a great option to make a bold statement at a larger scale. The result is a light and airy look for your kitchen.

White Out

Linear pendants aren’t just for above dining tables. They work equally well above a kitchen island. This example features a white finish that coordinates with the clean kitchen design and the pendant hanging in an adjacent space.

In the Clouds

A contemporary dining area with a fireplace calls for a dramatic fixture that will refract the light. Appearing like a cloud, this showstopper features many reflective surfaces. It sets the tone for good food and even better socializing.

Thinking Outside the Box

Some pendants have boxy shades, while others just suggest it. These metal frame pendants feature a black frame that makes a statement while preserving views. They compliment the black window frames and hardware in this modern kitchen.

Classic Crystals

An Old World-style kitchen calls for ornate light fixtures. Crystal chandeliers are a natural choice. If you thought that these fixtures were only for the entryway or dining area, think again!

Go for Gold with Kitchen Island Chandelier Ideas!

Making Waves

In this statement-making kitchen design by Patricia Davis Brown Designs, a glass kitchen island resembles waves on water. Recessed can light fixtures and a flush range hood keep the ceiling plane simple, allowing the focus to stay on the counter detail and corresponding wall art.

Add practicality with Kitchen Recessed Lighting Ideas

Squared Away

Can’t decide between a round or square fixture? This flush-mount fixture allows you to have the best of both. Its simple form is the perfect touch for this bold teal kitchen.

Semi-Flush Life

Low ceiling spaces will benefit from flush or semi-flush ceiling fixtures. These drum shades almost feel like pendants but leave plenty of clearance. A translucent simple shade works with this mostly white kitchen design.

Get low with Low Ceiling Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Up Light, Down Light

Fixtures that cast light both up and down are perfect for lighting a kitchen island. They provide the task lighting needed for the work surface. At the same time, they project light onto the ceiling that softly illuminates the room.

Explore Kitchen Island Pendant Lighting Ideas

Vintage Vibes

A retro half-dome semi-flush ceiling fixture is the perfect addition to this vintage-inspired kitchen. Hexagonal wall tiles combined with bright blue millwork and wood counters and shelving create visual interest. The result is a quirky yet sophisticated kitchen design.

Low Profile

If your kitchen has lower ceilings, consider pendants with a low profile. These sleek fixtures maintain sight lines while providing adequate illumination for the island. Pro tip: Coordinate your pendant’s finish with your appliances, such as the stainless steel look here.

Maximizing Space

A galley kitchen design can still maximize on space by incorporating light finishes and colorful accents. Understated light fixtures, including a wall sconce and semi-flush mount fixture with frosted glass and brass detailing coordinate with the cabinet hardware.

More Galley Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Clean and Tidy

This tidy white kitchen features a white subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and open wood shelving. A simple flush mount ceiling light is an excellent choice to keep the space feeling open, airy and decluttered. This fixture features a simply glass shade that blends into the clean white backdrop.

Transitional Kitchen Design

A series of three artisan cast glass pendants adds sparkle to this transitional kitchen design. The pendants’ sleek forms work within the space, which combines multiple textures and materials. A round pendant above the sinks and recessed ceiling lights round out the lighting concept.

Blending Vibes

This off-white kitchen feels modern yet a bit traditional all at once. Brass pendants mounted above the island complement the brass sink faucet. Rattan barstools, a macrame wall hanging and a plethora of plants bring a warm and cozy boho vibe to the space.

Functional Kitchen

A simple three-light semi-flush ceiling light with clear glass globes and a brass finish is the perfect addition to this functional kitchen. White upper cabinets contrast with wood lower cabinets. Open shelves with cookware on display combined with artwork and countertop decor show this kitchen is often used for cooking.

Go for Chrome

Chrome-finished mini pendants evenly Illuminate a white island in this updated kitchen. The chrome fixtures complement the new stainless steel appliances. Their sleek profiles keeps the focus on the teal walls and sleek surfaces throughout.

Look forward to Kitchen Wall Lighting Ideas!

When in Doubt, Add Wood

These unique pendants featuring solid wood coordinate well with wood kitchen cabinets. Wood always imparts warmth and texture for an interior. Coordinate your wood pendant tones carefully with your millwork and furnishings.

Kitchen lighting is an extremely important consideration for your home. You need adequate task light for preparing food as well as ambient light to make it a great space for entertaining. With these kitchen lighting ideas, you should be able to implement a successful lighting strategy for your own kitchen.



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