Kitchen Designer Lighting

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Ashley Knierim has over a decade of experience in writing, editing, and content strategy. She held positions at Time Magazine, AOL, and JPMorgan Chase. She is also a home décor and DIY enthusiast who spends her free time decorating (and redecorating) her home.

We've long believed that the right light fixture can be like jewelry for your home—a glamorous finishing touch that makes every other detail come together in perfect harmony. But even we can admit that kitchens often get the short end of the stick. While formal dining rooms get dramatic chandeliers and even powder rooms enjoy more than their fair share of fun sconces, kitchens rarely get the first-class treatment when it comes to lighting.

Led Kitchen Lighting For Clever Cooking

But it doesn't have to be that way. Whether. you want an eye-catching centerpiece or you just need a little extra task lighting that's aesthetically pleasing, focusing on the lighting in your kitchen can do a lot. From modern sculptural designs to vintage-inspired chandeliers to understated accents, we rounded up our favorite scene-stealing light fixtures just might make the kitchen your favorite room of the house.

Click through for our favorite kitchen lighting ideas, and soon you'll be seeing your prep space in a whole new light. (Sorry, we had to do it.)

This clean and cohesive kitchen is what we'd call new traditional, but we love the subtle nods to more rustic elements—seen here in the unique light fixture, bar stools, and accessories. These small touches add another layer of character to this charming space. The metallic accents on the light fixture help tie the whole look together.

Best Kitchen Lighting Design Ideas 2023

While we'd obviously never pass up a great brass, copper, or oiled bronze light fixture, a rattan or woven jute option can be a great way to bring the outdoors in—especially if you're leaning toward a Scandi decorating scheme with lots of cane and light wood tones.

Opposites attract—which may account for why we're so smitten with these vintage-style lantern lights in this muted, contemporary space. Their oversized scale and light-catching brass accents make them the centerpiece of the kitchen, and reference the historic elements elsewhere in this home.

There's just not enough time for us to unpack everything we love about this quirky, midcentury space—but the light fixture definitely takes the cake. Its atomic age-esque shape fits right in with these Eames-style chairs, while the natural fiber brings a touch of the organic into this cheery eating area.

Kitchen Lighting Ideas From Interior Designers: 2018

A transformative kitchen lighting design doesn't have to be overly bold. Here, two simple gray pendants maintain the subtle, minimalist look of the rest of the kitchen while still acting as a focal point.

Sometimes the best lighting ideas are the most out-of-the-box choices. Instead of going for traditional recessed lighting or a pendant over the kitchen island, consider hanging a handful of mini pendants throughout the center of your prep space for a fun, playful lighting idea.

Who says you need to cover up your lights with shades? Here, exposed bulbs give off a rustic, industrial look and feel and add a lot of interest. You can opt for warm, loft lighting or Edison bulbs to keep the lights from feeling too harsh or bright.

Best Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Less is definitely not more when it comes to eye-catching chandeliers. This multi-bulb fixture is perfect for creating a contemporary focal point in your open concept kitchen/dining room and helps to delineate the space.

If you don't have a dedicated dining room, a statement fixture is a great way to carve out a more formal look and feel in the room.

Here, a pendant light with an oversized glass shade offers a fun touch to the otherwise traditional kitchen. The wavy, clear glass shade is subtle enough to provide just enough of personality without clashing with the rest of the space.

Kitchen Lighting Ideas: 45 Lights Designs To Set The Scene |

Whether or not you are actually close to the beach, you can still incorporate a nautical decor look in your kitchen through the use of lighting. Look for pendant lights made of driftwood or shell details to add a beachy vibe to your prep space.

If the rest of your kitchen is streamlined and simple, consider opting for more detailed or elaborate lighting to take the focus in your space. A multi-faceted, Moroccan-inspired pendant can not only reflect more light, but the artisanal look provides an elevated feel that's creative and personal.

Though the most popular kitchen lighting choices are focused around the island, don't forget the rest of your space. A few modern sconces can help frame a window and add task lighting above the sink where you need it.

Kitchen Lighting Design Ideas

If you want the lighting (and not the fixture) to steal the show, pick a shade that is understated and almost blends in with the rest of the kitchen. A clear glass cover allows the bulb to be the focus so you can pick a warm light such as an Edison bulb to fill the space with a glow.

If you play with Edison lighting in your kitchen, make sure you have multiple source of light so you fill the space with adequate lumens for the square footage.

Not sure where to start with your kitchen lighting? Look for lighting that pairs well with your cabinetry. Matching the color with your cabinets is an easy way to keep a streamlined look throughout the space.

Kitchen Lighting Tips Designers Swear By

Here, simple IKEA pendants are given a fun upgrade to create a custom lighting look that works wonderfully with the rest of the space. Consider DIY-ing or improving on cheap lighting to develop a kitchen lighting plan perfect for your space.

If you are a fan of open shelving in the kitchen, be sure to plan your lighting to support the look. Hang a couple of sconces in the open space above the shelves to help fill the walls and add a little warmth.

Modern farmhouse often incorporates a lot of brass, metal, and other rustic materials. This look is perfect for adding statement lighting that doesn't feel overly formal or too elegant. Opt for more rustic, vintage materials and shapes to give your kitchen that farmhouse edge.

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Have a big space to fill? Not only should you consider the lumens to support your room, but you should also be sure your fixtures themselves can hold their own in the space. Opt for oversized fixtures when you're working with a large, open concept kitchen plan.

While you may not want to hang actual candles from your ceiling, you can steal the look with a fixture that is reminiscent of a hanging candelabra. This fixture is great for adding a bit of drama to an otherwise understated space.

Scale is everything—and here's proof. This oversized pendant light brings a whimsical touch to this eat-in kitchen area, and subtly mimics the undulating shape of the tulip table underneath at the same time. This dreamy, midcentury-tinged space proves that even a simple shape can make a big impact if you play with proportion in an unexpected way.

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Kitchen-y. If you want to give your kitchen a more inviting warmth, consider a linen shade or brass accents that offer a more elegant, soft feel.

Give your kitchen a touch of pizazz with a gold, scaled pendant light. The touch of Moroccan flair helps to transform this otherwise minimal kitchen and easily becomes the centerpiece of the whole space.

If your sink is on the kitchen island, consider placing your hanging pendant directly above it to frame the space. Not only does this provide task lighting, but it also helps to center your kitchen add scale against the appliances.

Kitchen Design Made By Nolte Küchen

Instead of pendants over your kitchen island, consider. an oversized chandelier. A vintage-inspired brass piece is a great way to add a focal point to your space and help to create a more formal feel if you tend to dine at your island a lot.

The best way to pick the right statement lighting for your kitchen is to first determine what decor style you want to incorporate. If your space is traditional, for example, you can either mix things up with a more modern fixture or keep the traditional feel with a brass pendant with candle-look lights.

On the other hand, don't feel limited by your kitchen decor. It's easy to mix various design styles, especially when it comes to lighting. Here, a more vintage-inspired fixture plays wonderfully with the woven, boho-look bar stools.

Stunning Kitchen Lighting Designs To Transform Into A Designer Space

Give us a Sputnik-style light fixture any day—it always seems to enliven a space. And the kitchen island is no exception. While we more often see these sculptural, mobile-shaped chandeliers over the dining table