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40+ Kitchen Lighting Ideas To Brighten Your Space

By: Andrew Saladino | 6 min

White kitchen with pedant lights over bar and top glass cabinets with lights inside.

Does your kitchen lighting need an update? Replacing your kitchen light fixtures is one of the easiest ways to take your kitchen from drab to stylish. With thousands of options to choose from, you're sure to find a solution that will not only improve the lighting in your kitchen but the functionality of it as well.

If you're having trouble picturing your perfect kitchen lights, check out our collection of kitchen lighting ideas to inspire your search.

1. Moroccan-inspired Pendants

Large bronze three-tiered Moroccan style chandelier.

Whether you're looking to add a hint of drama to a modern kitchen design or go all out with a boho design, a multi-faceted, Moroccan-inspired pendant provides a uniqueness that's both creative and personal.

2. Bare Bulbs

Six bulb pendants hanging from wood pallet with vines over kitchen.

Single hanging bulbs are often a staple of industrial-style kitchens. Use Edison bulbs as pendants or group them together on a gas pipe to create a unique lighting centerpiece.

3. Cage Pendants

Three pendant lights with copper cage shades or different sizes.

Cage pendants have made their way into virtually every interior design style. While caged pendants often feature single bulbs, caged candle-style chandeliers and multi-bulb fixtures are popular choices for illuminating large areas.

4. Clear Glass Shades

Understated, simple glass shade pendants optimize the lighting in your kitchen. A clear glass cover allows the lighting itself to be the focus, so decorative bulbs like Edison bulbs are great options to pair with these.

5. Beehive Pendants

Speaking of glass shades, beehive pendants have become a favorite amongst transitional design specialists. You can opt for a more vintage feel with lantern-style beehive pendants or choose a single-bulb pendant with a thin glass shade if you prefer to keep it modern.

6. Bubble Shades

Playful yet sophisticated, use pendants with glass orbs to create a bubble effect above your kitchen island. Consider hanging multiple different-sized pendants at different heights to give a natural floating effect. You can even try a bubble chandelier if you prefer one large statement fixture.

7. Oversized Pendants

Two pendants with oversized gray shades over kitchen table.

'Go big or go home' rings true for your kitchen, too. With the increasing popularity of open floor plans and tall ceilings, you can use daringly oversized pendants to create an interesting focal point that defines an area. Try pairing a couple over your kitchen island or above your dining table.

8. Industrial Lamps

Stainless steel industrial lamp over kitchen island in modern gray and white kitchen.

If you're looking for vintage utility lighting with chic sophistication, industrial lamps are for you. While this style plays an obvious role in the industrial aesthetic, rustic, farmhouse, transitional, and modern designers have also incorporated these lamps into their designs.

9. Barn Lighting

Two black vintage barn lights.

Use vintage barn-inspired fixtures to achieve a blend of rustic and modern styles. This design features wide, shallow shades perfect for focusing light on small areas without it being overwhelming. These light fixtures come in materials like bronze and oxidized brass, but you can also find them in bright shades of red, green, blue, and yellow.

10. Mini Pendants

Instead of opting for recessed lighting or kitchen island pendants, consider hanging a few mini pendants throughout your prep space for a playful twist on traditional kitchen lighting.

11. Flute Lights

Known for their long, cylindrical shape, flute lights provide excellent lighting for tasks in your kitchen work areas, especially above the sink or over the stove. You can group them together to provide more ambient lighting over your island or dining table.

12. Single Statement Pendants

If you want your lighting to be the real focus of the room, a stand-out statement pendant over your kitchen island or dining table will add both visual intrigue and a nod to the dramatic. Large, multi-bulb fixtures are sure to draw attention while still providing good ambient light.

13. Rope Pendants

Bare bulb pendants lights wrapped in hemp rope hanging from wood beam.

Minimalist pendants wrapped in hemp rope and draped over bars or beams make for a moody, industrial kitchen vibe. This fixture will also complement nautical-style kitchens.

14. Art Glass Pendants

Unique stained glass light fixtures with gold detailing.

For one-of-a-kind light fixtures, choose custom art glass pendants and ensure that no two lights are the same. The pendants combine functional task lighting with creative and unique designs to add eye-catching beauty to your kitchen. Designs range from hand-blown speckled glass, dreamy swirls of blues and greens, and beautiful mosaic patterns.

15. Origami Pendants

Single lotus-shaped pendant light illuminating modern dining room table.

Pulling inspiration from the centuries-old Japanese art form, origami pendants offer a timeless simplicity perfect for Mid-Century Modern and transitional designs. These designs range from simple, pleated lamps to bold, complicated shapes, giving you the option to add them as accent or statement lighting.

16. Mismatched Pendants

If you're going for a more eclectic design, mismatching vintage-style pendants creates a one-of-a-kind lighting solution. Try pairing fixtures with different shapes and colors that each demand their own attention.

17. Gold Shades

Large, sparkling gold fixtures have incredible reflective properties ideal for bouncing light around the room. They also provide excellent contrast in kitchens with darker cabinets and color schemes.

18. Boho Chandeliers

Want to stick with more earthy tones? Chandeliers made from wood beads, macrame, and other natural materials have become a staple in high-end bohemian design. Pair these with modern glass pendant lighting to keep your layout light and breezy.

19. An Array of Modern Pendants

Multiple bare-bulb and cage pendant lights over white galley kitchen and wood dining table.

Create a one-of-a-kind light fixture by grouping together modern pendants above your kitchen island. Choose pendants with fun details like colored chords or bubble-like shades and hang them at a variety of heights for an artistic arrangement.

20. Crystal Chandeliers

Simple elegant chandelier in white kitchen with gold cabinet trim.

In large, open kitchens, vintage crystal chandeliers are anything but stuffy. If you plan on entertaining, chandeliers add a sense of occasion to the heart of your home. What's more, the crystal droplets shimmer and reflect light around the room for a glamorous effect.

21. Rattan and Wicker Shades

Two pendant lights with wicker shades over small white dining alongside modern galley kitchen.

Large fixtures in natural materials like rattan, wicker, jute, and bamboo are budget-friendly options for high-end boho design. Whether layered with other earthy elements or styled on their own, these lights can help add warmth to a modern kitchen.

22. Basket Shades

Design the ultimate rustic kitchen with a dash of bohemian flair with basket-shaped shades in natural materials. These woven light fixtures add texture and warmth to any space and are affordable options for statement lighting.

23. Pops of Color

You don't have to sacrifice your personal style to achieve the modern kitchen of your dreams. Add a little spice to a neutral palette with lighting fixtures in fun, unexpected colors. You can even opt for clear glass pendants with colored wires for a subtle pop of color.

24. Paper Lanterns

Paper lantern pendants are a perfect mix of timeless and modern designs. From upscale designers to Instagram influencers, these beautiful and versatile lights can be unique additions to interiors of any style. Hang a couple over your kitchen island, or cluster them above your dining room table to double as lighting and art.

25. Mid-Century Modern Light Fixtures

Two pendant lights with Mid-Century shades over kitchen bar and one over wood dining table.

Give a nod to mid-century architecture with a light fixture featuring unexpected shapes and natural fibers. Pair with clean lines and Eames-style barstools or chairs for a chic vintage feel.

26. Sputnik Chandeliers

Modern rose gold multi-bulb chandelier over large kitchen island in transitional kitchen.

If you're looking to add a hint of maximalism to a modern kitchen, statement fixtures like multi-bulb chandeliers are a great contemporary focal point for an open-concept kitchen or dining room.

27. Vintage Lanterns

Two large black lantern-style pendant lights with faux candles over large kitchen island.

If you have historical elements in your home you'd like to highlight but still appreciate a modern aesthetic, add a vintage dash to a contemporary kitchen with lighting inspired by candle lanterns. Metal lanterns complement brick and other industrial elements, while wood lanterns pair nicely with modern bohemian decor.

28. Unexpected Shapes

Who said lights had to be bell-shaped or cylindrical? Break the mold with fixtures featuring abstract shapes, like imperfect orbs, crystalline structures, or delicate petals. These eclectic designs are sure to draw attention and interest.

29. Track Lighting

Track lighting is making a comeback, complete with modern finishes, unique tracks, and shades that are anything but basic. Not only do they look great in any style of kitchen, but they're also incredibly versatile. Adjust them to illuminate a specific spot or brighten a general area.

30. Modern Wall Sconces

While the kitchen island or dining table are often the popular choices for kitchen lighting, modern sconces can help illuminate the areas where you work the most—such as above the sink or a prep area.

31. Color Coordinated Lighting

Three pendant lights with black shades over kitchen island with black cabinets.

Not sure what will look best in your kitchen? A simple solution is to look for lighting that will pair well with your cabinets. Matching the color of your light fixtures with your cabinet color helps create a unified look throughout the space.

32. Mixed fixtures

Two pendant glass pendant lights over kitchen bar and one large metallic pendant light shade over dining table.

It's likely your kitchen will require multiple types of lighting, so why not try mixing and matching different features? Combine different shapes and shades to create a unique visual—just be sure to stick to a theme or tone so the design is coherent.

33. Reflective Materials

Kitchen with shiny black countertops, stainless steel appliances, and lacquered teal cabinets with gold hardware.

If your kitchen is on the darker side, one trick to enhance light is to incorporate reflective surfaces into your design. Try hanging mirrors, using shiny metals, and installing glass open-frame cabinets to bounce off light and brighten your kitchen.

34. Recessed Lighting

If understated lighting is more your style, then recessed lighting is the best option for you. Recessed lighting not only creates a seamless look on your ceiling but also provides a balanced spread of light around the room that other light fixtures can't provide.

35. Under-cabinet Lighting

If your prep area is underneath your cabinets -- or you simply want to add another lighting element to your kitchen -- under-cabinet lights provide more directed task lighting on the countertops below it. You can use light bars, puck lights, or even LED strips for a renter-friendly alternative.

36. Over-cabinet Lighting

Do you have a gap between your wall cabinets and ceiling? Use this space to provide a generous, warm glow to your kitchen with above cabinet lighting. Achieving this high-end effect is a lot simpler than you think—in most cases, you can do it yourself with light strips.

37. Plinth lighting

Modern kitchen with LED lights under wall cabinets and floor cabinets.

Give the illusion of floating cabinets by installing contemporary plinth lights underneath your bottom cupboards. These lights cast a soft glow to illuminate a walkway or obstacles in your kitchen. Use LED strips or spotlight-style bulbs to complete the effect.

38. In-cabinet Lighting

Open cabinets with lights on each shelf in modern brown kitchen with natural wood accents.

If you have your favorite glassware on display in open-frame or mullion cabinets, in-cabinet lighting can give your kitchen even more of a museum feel. You can use practical lighting inside pantries and wall cupboards to illuminate dark patches and create a more balanced look.

39. Ceiling Fans

White ceiling fan over kitchen with white cabinets wood countertops.

It's common to see ceiling fans in other rooms of a home, but they often aren't used as kitchen lighting fixtures. However, they can be a beautiful—and practical—addition to your kitchen, especially if you're living in warmer climates. Ceiling fans can help keep you cool, lower energy costs, help dispel odors and smoke, and keep mosquitos and other bugs away during warm summer months.

40. String Lights

Although string lights are most commonly used for patio lighting (or college dorm rooms), they can have a place in formal home decor. Hanging string lights across your dining table gives a dinner party a festive touch and is a fun way to bring the outside in.

41. Layered Lighting

When choosing contemporary kitchen lighting, you may want to illuminate your space both vertically and horizontally. This is especially true if you have high ceilings and want to add extra lighting closer to eye level. Consider pairing downlighters—like recessed lighting or chandeliers—with low-hanging pendants.

Kitchen Lighting Ideas FAQ

Choosing the right kitchen lighting for your home should be a balance between style and functionality. To ensure you have all of the details you need to make your best decision, we've included a list of answers to the most common kitchen lighting questions.

What kind of lighting is best for the kitchen?

The best lighting for your kitchen depends on your layout and design. Generally, you'll want to aim for fixtures that provide ambient lighting throughout the entire space. Additionally, you could include secondary options like pendants or under-cabinet lighting to illuminate specific areas, like your kitchen island or prep area.

How can I improve the lighting in my kitchen?

If your kitchen lacks natural light, finding fixtures to improve its functionality should be a priority. Here are a few options you can choose to brighten a dark kitchen:

  • Install wall sconces over the areas you prep and cook.
  • Use under-cabinet lighting.
  • Add reflective surfaces like mirrors, metals, and glass to your design.
  • Replace recessed lights with pendants for focused task lighting.

What is modern lighting for kitchens?

Modern kitchen lighting includes hanging pendant lights or bulbs, recessed lighting, statement fixtures, or a combination of these. Some popular modern lighting elements include glass shades, natural materials, intricate shapes, and revived antique designs.

Lighting is not only one of the most important proponents of a kitchen to help you prep and cook efficiently, but simply switching out a pendant or two can easily take your space from adequate to stylish.

Before making a commitment, consider the size of your kitchen, the amount of cooking and cleaning you do, and what type of lighting best fits your style. Once you've made a decision on your kitchen lighting type, be sure to install the lighting with the appropriate balance for your kitchen's needs.

For more design inspiration, check ou tips for styling two-tone cabinets or kitchen wall accent ideas.

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