When it comes to designing a kitchen, lighting is often an overlooked aspect.
However, proper lighting can make a huge difference in the functionality and overall aesthetic of the space.
As someone who loves to cook and entertain, I know firsthand the importance of having the right lighting in the kitchen.
In this article, I will be sharing 49 of the best kitchen lighting ideas that will help you create a beautiful and functional space.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Kitchen Lighting
- Under-cabinet LED Lighting: Perfect for task lighting in the kitchen, these energy-efficient lights help to illuminate your workspace while preparing meals.
- Pendant Lights: Ideal for dining areas or over the kitchen island, adding a trendy aesthetic touch to your kitchen.
- Recessed Lighting: Suitable for kitchens with low ceilings, these lights provide a modern, clutter-free look.
- Track Lighting: Allows flexibility as they can be pointed in different directions, highlighting the areas you want.
- Ceiling-Mounted Chandeliers: A centerpiece of beauty, these can transform the overall atmosphere of your kitchen by providing warm, ambient light.
- Modern Pendant Lights: These lights add a decorative touch to your kitchen, perfect over a dining area or kitchen island.
- Dimmer Switches: These allow full control over brightness levels, helping you create different moods for cooking, dining, or entertaining in your kitchen.
- Flush Mount Lighting: For main sources of light, these take up minimal space and promote an open aesthetic in the kitchen.
- Industrial Style Sconces: Ideal as accent or task lighting, particularly useful for areas near the sink or open shelves.
- Smart Bulb: High-tech, energy-saving, and adjustable; these smart bulbs allow you to control the lighting through voice commands or mobile apps.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting adds the finishing touch to your kitchen’s illumination.
It draws attention to specific features and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
All-Around Brass Kitchen Lighting
Brass brings timeless elegance and a warm glow to your kitchen.
Whether you prefer a modern or traditional look, there’s a brass lighting option to perfectly complement your space.
Brass fixtures come in a variety of styles, from sleek pendants to rustic chandeliers, offering a cohesive and sophisticated look throughout your kitchen.
Antler Statement Lighting
Antler lighting injects a dose of rustic charm and a touch of the unexpected into your kitchen.
Ideal for cabins, lodges, or kitchens seeking a unique statement piece, antler chandeliers, pendants, or sconces create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Look for designs that incorporate natural materials and soft lighting to avoid overwhelming the space.
A Brushed Gold Sconce
Brushed gold sconces elevate your kitchen with a touch of modern luxury.
Their warm metallic finish adds a subtle sophistication, while the wall-mounted design frees up counter space.
Brushed gold sconces are particularly versatile, fitting well above the sink, flanking the stove, or accenting a breakfast nook.
A Pendant Trip With One Stem
A single-stem pendant light brings a touch of modern simplicity to your kitchen.
This sleek design features a single shade suspended from a slender cord, offering focused light and a minimalist aesthetic.
Perfect for over a sink or breakfast bar, single-stem pendants add a touch of personality without overwhelming the space.
Balancing Glow
Balancing Glow plays a crucial role in ensuring your kitchen doesn’t just look great, but also functions well.
Having the right balance of light is key to creating a space that’s both inviting and practical.
Too much light can create harsh shadows, whereas too little can leave your kitchen feeling cold and uninviting.
By using a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting, you can create a balanced glow that illuminates every corner of your kitchen, enhances its features, and facilitates all kitchen activities, from cooking to cleaning, and even entertaining guests.
Be Mindful Of Size
When choosing kitchen lighting, it’s important to consider the size of your space.
The scale and proportions of the fixtures should complement the room’s dimensions.
Oversized lights can overwhelm a small kitchen, while undersized lights may get lost in a large area.
Carefully measure the available space and select fixtures that are proportionate to create a balanced, cohesive look.
The right size lighting will help define the kitchen’s aesthetic and enhance the overall ambiance.
Black White Lighting
Black and white lighting fixtures can create a timeless, sophisticated look in the kitchen.
The contrast of the dark and light tones adds visual interest and a classic elegance.
Sleek, minimalist black pendant lights or sconces can anchor the space, while white glass or metal shades help to brighten and diffuse the light.
This color combination works well in both modern and traditional kitchen designs, allowing you to achieve a refined, cohesive aesthetic.
The monochromatic palette provides a versatile foundation to build upon with pops of accent colors or natural wood tones.
Boho Kitchen Lighting
For a bohemian-inspired kitchen, consider lighting fixtures with an organic, eclectic flair.
Rattan, wicker, or bamboo pendant lights can lend a natural, artisanal feel. Cluster multiple globe-shaped pendants in varying sizes for a layered, free-spirited look.
Alternatively, opt for fixtures with intricate metalwork or stained glass details to add a touch of global, bohemian charm.
These lighting choices complement the relaxed, cozy ambiance associated with boho-style interiors.
Pair them with warm, earthy tones, natural textures, and vintage-inspired accents to cultivate a truly unique, bohemian-chic kitchen.
Branched Lighting
Branched lighting fixtures, such as multi-armed chandeliers or clustered pendants, can make a bold statement in the kitchen.
These designs feature multiple light sources extending from a central base, creating a dramatic, sculptural silhouette. The branching elements add visual interest and a sense of movement, drawing the eye upward.
Branched lighting works particularly well in spacious, open-concept kitchens, where it can serve as a stunning focal point.
Choose finishes and shapes that complement the overall kitchen aesthetic, whether it’s sleek and modern or rustic and industrial.
The layered lighting from a branched fixture can also provide ample illumination for meal preparation, dining, and entertaining.
Branching Hanging Pendants
Brass Band Kitchen Lighting
Warm, gleaming brass accents can infuse a kitchen with a touch of timeless elegance.
Brass lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights or sconces, can beautifully complement a range of design styles, from traditional to contemporary.
The rich, golden hue of brass adds a refined, sophisticated note, while also reflecting light to brighten the space. Paired with dark wood tones, white marble, or other natural materials, brass lighting creates a harmonious, luxurious aesthetic.
The soft, reflective quality of brass can also help to visually expand a smaller kitchen by bouncing light around the room.
Incorporate brass lighting as a statement piece or as a cohesive element across the space for a cohesive, high-end look.
Brass Pendant Lighting
Brushed Gold Pendants
Caged Lighting
Caged lighting fixtures can add an industrial-chic touch to a kitchen.
The exposed bulb design, often with a metal cage or grid surrounding it, creates an edgy, utilitarian aesthetic.
These types of lighting work well in modern, loft-inspired kitchens or spaces with a more rugged, warehouse-style vibe.
The caged structure can also help to diffuse and direct the light, providing both ambient illumination and task-focused brightness.
Hang a row of caged pendant lights over a kitchen island or dining table for a striking, focal point.
The open, industrial-inspired design complements materials like exposed brick, concrete, or raw wood, lending a warm yet urban feel to the space.
Casual Warm Lighting
Chainmail Lighting
Chainmail lighting fixtures can lend a unique, artisanal flair to a kitchen’s decor.
The intricate, interlocking metal mesh creates a dynamic, sculptural silhouette that catches the light in mesmerizing ways.
Chainmail pendants or chandeliers have a distinctive, handcrafted quality that adds depth and texture to the space.
The metallic finish, whether in silver, gold, or bronze, can complement a range of kitchen styles, from modern farmhouse to contemporary.
Chainmail lighting fixtures also have the ability to cast dramatic, patterned shadows on the walls and surfaces, adding another layer of visual interest.
Suspend a chainmail pendant over a kitchen island or dining table to make it the centerpiece of the room.
Coastal Blue Pop Lighting
Incorporating a pop of coastal blue into your kitchen lighting can infuse the space with a fresh, breezy aesthetic.
Whether it’s a bold, azure-hued pendant or a set of turquoise-tinted sconces, the splash of oceanic color can evoke a sense of relaxation and serenity.
Paired with natural materials like wood, rattan, or whitewashed finishes, the coastal blue lighting creates a harmonious, serene ambiance.
This color palette works particularly well in beach-inspired or farmhouse-style kitchens, helping to transport the calm of the seaside into the heart of the home.
The vibrant blue tones can also help to visually energize the space and provide a cheerful, uplifting mood.
Colorful Caged Lighting
Colorful Statement Pendant Lighting
Complementing Colors Lighting
When selecting kitchen lighting, it’s important to consider how the fixtures complement the overall color palette of the space.
Choosing lighting that harmonizes with the existing hues and finishes can help to create a cohesive, visually balanced design.
For example, pairing warm-toned bronze or copper fixtures with a kitchen featuring rich wood tones and earthy accents can cultivate a cozy, inviting ambiance.
Conversely, sleek, chrome or nickel lighting can accentuate a modern, monochromatic kitchen with crisp white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances.
The key is to select lighting that enhances the kitchen’s color scheme, whether it’s bold and vibrant or soft and neutral.
By carefully coordinating the lighting with the broader color story, you can achieve a polished, intentional look.
Complimentary Materials
Contemporary Kitchen Light Fixtures
Contrasting Lighting
Display Lighting
Embrace Retro Style
Embracing a retro style in kitchen lighting can add a touch of nostalgic charm and personality to the space.
Mid-century modern pendant lights with clean lines, globe shapes, and bold colors can evoke a sense of vintage flair.
Alternatively, industrial-inspired fixtures with exposed bulbs and metal cages can pay homage to the past while serving a functional purpose.
Retro-inspired lighting, such as antique-style wall sconces or a statement chandelier with a vintage aesthetic, can anchor the kitchen’s design and set the tone for the entire room.
These timeless lighting choices work well in both traditional and contemporary kitchens, allowing you to blend the old and the new for a unique, visually interesting space.
Flexible Spotlight Lighting
Flush Mounts
Galley Kitchen Lighting
General Lighting
Glass Bottle Chandelier Kitchen Lighting
A glass bottle chandelier can bring a whimsical, eco-friendly touch to kitchen lighting.
Repurposing recycled glass bottles into a hanging light fixture adds a unique, one-of-a-kind element to the space. The translucent quality of the glass allows the light to softly diffuse, creating a warm, inviting glow.
Bottle chandeliers can come in a range of shapes and sizes, from a simple cluster of bottles to a more elaborate, multi-tiered design.
This type of lighting works particularly well in rustic, farmhouse-inspired kitchens, where the recycled materials and vintage-inspired aesthetic complement the overall style.
Hang a glass bottle chandelier as the centerpiece over a kitchen table or island to make a statement and showcase your commitment to sustainability.
Glass Fixture Lighting
Glass Globe Lighting
Globe Pendant Lights
Globe pendant lights can instantly elevate the aesthetic of a kitchen, adding a touch of modern elegance.
The clean, spherical silhouette of these fixtures creates a visually striking focal point, while the glass or metal construction allows for ample, diffused illumination.
Globe pendants come in a variety of sizes, from petite orbs to oversized, statement-making spheres, allowing you to scale the lighting to the dimensions of your kitchen.
Suspend a cluster of globe pendants at varying heights over a kitchen island or dining table for a layered, eye-catching effect.
The minimalist, geometric design of globe lights pairs beautifully with both contemporary and transitional kitchen styles, seamlessly blending form and function.
Gold Pendant Lighting
Gold Milk Glass Statement Lighting
Grid Pendant Lighting
Glass Globe Lighting
Hanging Lighting
Hanging lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights or chandeliers, can serve as impactful design elements in the kitchen.
Suspending these fixtures from the ceiling allows them to become the focal point of the space, drawing the eye upward and adding a sense of architectural interest.
Whether it’s a single, large-scale pendant or a grouping of smaller lights, hanging fixtures can help to define specific zones within the kitchen, such as over a dining table or kitchen island.
The height and placement of the lighting can also impact the overall ambiance, with higher fixtures creating a more formal, elegant feel, while lower-hanging lights can establish a more intimate, cozy vibe.
Explore a variety of hanging lighting styles, from modern and minimalist to rustic and industrial, to find the perfect fit for your kitchen’s design aesthetic.
Happy Clamper Kitchen Lighting
Keep The Statement Simple
Laid-Back Pendant Lighting
Lampshade-Style Pendant
Lamp Lighting
Incorporating lamp lighting into a kitchen can add warmth, texture, and a sense of coziness to the space.
Table lamps or floor lamps placed strategically can provide soft, ambient illumination that complements the brighter task lighting from overhead fixtures.
Lamps with fabric shades, ceramics bases, or natural materials like wood or rattan can lend a welcoming, homey feel to the kitchen.
Positioning a lamp on a kitchen counter, open shelving, or in a cozy nook can create a sense of intimacy and make the space feel more inviting.
Lamp lighting is particularly effective in open-concept kitchens that flow into living or dining areas, helping to blur the boundaries between rooms and create a seamless, cohesive design.
Lantern-Inspired Lighting
Layered Mellow Lighting
Light Blue Pendant Lighting
Long Lighting
Matte-White Pendant Lighting
Mid-Century Statement Lights
Milky Glass Kitchen Lighting
Mix and Match Lighting
Modern Kitchen Lighting
Moody Fixtures
Opting for moody, dark-toned lighting fixtures can infuse a kitchen with a sense of drama and sophistication.
Pendant lights or sconces in deep, inky blacks, rich browns, or moody greens can anchor the space and provide a striking contrast to lighter cabinetry, countertops, or walls.
These moodier hues create an intimate, cocooning atmosphere, especially when paired with warm, ambient lighting.
Moody fixtures with matte or burnished finishes can also lend an industrial-chic or rustic-modern vibe to the kitchen, complementing the overall aesthetic.
The strategic placement of these darker lighting elements can help to define specific work zones or dining areas, while also adding depth and visual interest to the overall design.
Natural-Hued Glass Fixtures
Natural Lighting
Nautical Rope Kitchen Lighting
Neutral Nodes Lighting
New Antique-Looking Kitchen Lighting
Incorporating new lighting fixtures with an antique-inspired look can lend a timeless, historic charm to a kitchen.
Distressed metal finishes, vintage-style glass globes, or fixtures with an aged patina can evoke the feeling of a bygone era. These antique-inspired lighting choices work particularly well in farmhouse, traditional, or transitional kitchen designs, where they help to create a sense of old-world character.
Pairing these new-yet-old-looking fixtures with other vintage or reclaimed elements, like weathered wood beams or ceramic tile, can further enhance the timeless aesthetic.
The juxtaposition of modern function with an antique-inspired aesthetic can result in a kitchen that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
Carefully selecting lighting with an heirloom-like quality can become the perfect finishing touch to your vintage-inspired kitchen design.
Nook Lighting
Novel Kitchen Lighting
On the Grid Kitchen Lighting
Outside-In Kitchen Lighting
Extending your kitchen’s lighting scheme to the outdoor spaces can create a seamless, cohesive design that brings the indoors and outdoors together.
Installing pendant lights or sconces on a covered patio, pergola, or even above an outdoor kitchen or dining area can visually connect these spaces and make them feel like natural extensions of the internal kitchen.
This “outside-in” approach to lighting can enhance the overall flow and functionality of the space, allowing for fluid movement between the indoor and outdoor living areas.
Selecting fixtures that complement the style of your kitchen, whether it’s modern, rustic, or coastal, can tie the entire aesthetic together.
Strategically placing these exterior lighting elements can also provide ample illumination for alfresco dining, entertaining, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Oversized and Rustic Lighting
Oversized Lanterns
Oversized Shade Pendants
Pendants With A Pop Of Color
Period-Appropriate Kitchen Lighting
When designing a kitchen with a specific architectural style or historic period in mind, it’s important to select lighting fixtures that are period-appropriate.
This helps to maintain the authentic aesthetic and ensure the space feels cohesive and intentional. For example, in a traditional, Victorian-inspired kitchen, you might opt for ornate chandeliers or wall sconces with intricate metalwork and glass shades.
Conversely, a mid-century modern kitchen would benefit from sleek, angular pendant lights or flush-mount fixtures that evoke the clean lines and minimalist sensibilities of that era.
Researching the defining characteristics of your desired architectural style can help guide you in choosing lighting that seamlessly integrates with the overall kitchen design.
Striking the right balance between modern function and historical accuracy can result in a kitchen that feels truly timeless
Rattan Pendants
Rattan Pendant Lights
Recessed Lighting
Recycled Material Kitchen Lighting
Incorporating lighting fixtures made from recycled materials can add an eco-friendly, one-of-a-kind touch to your kitchen.
Pendant lights or wall sconces crafted from repurposed items, such as old pipes, reclaimed wood, or recycled glass, not only reduce waste but also bring a unique, artisanal aesthetic to the space.
These recycled lighting elements can complement a range of kitchen styles, from industrial-chic to rustic farmhouse.
The organic textures and natural imperfections of the materials used lend a sense of character and authenticity.
Choosing recycled lighting fixtures can also serve as a conversation starter, allowing you to showcase your commitment to sustainability while elevating the overall design of your kitchen.
Pair these unique, eco-friendly lighting choices with other reclaimed or natural elements to create a harmonious, visually interesting space.
Rustic Metal Pendants
Semi-Flush Mount Statement Light
Shaded Lighting
Ship-Shape Kitchen Lighting
Implementing a ship-shape lighting scheme in the kitchen can evoke a nautical, coastal-inspired ambiance.
Pendant lights with a porthole or lantern-like design, reminiscent of maritime vessels, can instantly transport the salty, breezy feel of the seaside into the heart of the home.
Sconces with brass, copper, or weathered finishes can also contribute to the nautical aesthetic, while providing ample task lighting.
Clustering multiple pendant lights of varying heights over a kitchen island or dining table can create a layered, boat-inspired look. Incorporating driftwood, rope, or other natural materials into the lighting fixtures can further enhance the coastal vibe.
This type of ship-shape lighting works particularly well in beach houses, lakeside retreats, or kitchens with a laid-back, seaside-inspired style.
Single Overhead Lighting
Slim Fixtures for Small Spaces
Small Modern Pendant Lighting
Small Pendant Lighting
Soft White Oversized Bulbs
Oversized, soft white bulbs can create a warm, inviting glow in the kitchen.
These large-scale, Edison-style bulbs with their exposed filaments emit a cozy, ambient light that complements a variety of design styles, from farmhouse to industrial.
Suspending a handful of these oversized bulbs in a cluster or linear arrangement over a kitchen island or table can make a bold, statement-making lighting feature.
The soft, diffused illumination from the bulbs helps to foster a welcoming, intimate atmosphere, ideal for meal preparation, dining, and entertaining.
Pairing the oversized bulbs with fixtures that showcase their sculptural silhouettes, such as glass, metal, or wooden pendants, can elevate the overall aesthetic.
This type of lighting choice can inject a sense of warmth and character into the kitchen, creating a space that feels both functional and visually appealing.
Statement Chandelier
Super-Sized Kitchen Lighting
Task Lighting
Textured Fixture Lighting
Threes a Crowd Pendant Lighting
Grouping pendant lights in clusters of three or more can make a striking design statement in the kitchen.
This “threes a crowd” approach to pendant lighting creates a visually impactful focal point that draws the eye upwards.
The repetition of the pendant shapes and the varied heights at which they’re suspended can add depth, visual interest, and a sense of rhythm to the space.
The clustering effect also allows you to incorporate different pendant styles, sizes, or finishes to create a layered, cohesive look.
Whether you opt for sleek, minimalist pendants or more ornate, statement-making fixtures, arranging them in groups of three or more can transform the kitchen into an inviting, dynamic space.
This lighting configuration works particularly well over kitchen islands, dining tables, or in open-concept layouts where the pendants can be enjoyed from multiple vantage points.
Traditional Pendant Lights
Try A Kitchen Wall Sconce
Under Cabinet Lighting
Under Open Shelving Lighting
Incorporating lighting under open kitchen shelving can serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. Placing task lighting, such as LED strip lights or small puck lights, beneath the shelves provides focused illumination for food preparation, cooking, and easy access to stored items.
This type of undershelf lighting helps to brighten up the workspaces and make the contents of the shelves more visible.
From a design perspective, the subtle glow from the undershelf lighting can also create a warm, welcoming ambiance and highlight the open shelving as a design feature.
The lighting can accentuate the textures, colors, and arrangements of items displayed on the shelves, adding depth and visual interest to the kitchen.
When combined with overhead pendant or recessed lighting, the undershelf lighting contributes to a layered, balanced lighting scheme that caters to both function and form.
Vintage Chandelier
Vintage Hanging Pendant Lighting
Vintage Kitchen Light Fixtures
Wide Fluorescent Lighting
Wooden Cage-Style Pendant Lights
Woven Pendant Kitchen Lighting
Tips for Creating the Perfect Kitchen Lighting
- Under-cabinet LED Lighting: Perfect for task lighting in the kitchen, these energy-efficient lights help to illuminate your workspace while preparing meals.
- Pendant Lights: Ideal for dining areas or over the kitchen island, adding a trendy aesthetic touch to your kitchen.
- Recessed Lighting: Suitable for kitchens with low ceilings, these lights provide a modern, clutter-free look.
- Track Lighting: Allows flexibility as they can be pointed in different directions, highlighting the areas you want.
- Ceiling-Mounted Chandeliers: A centerpiece of beauty, these can transform the overall atmosphere of your kitchen by providing warm, ambient light.
- Modern Pendant Lights: These lights add a decorative touch to your kitchen, perfect over a dining area or kitchen island.
- Dimmer Switches: These allow full control over brightness levels, helping you create different moods for cooking, dining, or entertaining in your kitchen.
- Flush Mount Lighting: For main sources of light, these take up minimal space and promote an open aesthetic in the kitchen.
- Industrial Style Sconces: Ideal as accent or task lighting, particularly useful for areas near the sink or open shelves.
- Smart Bulb: High-tech, energy-saving, and adjustable; these smart bulbs allow you to control the lighting through voice commands or mobile apps.
