Lighting trends for kitchens

35 Best Kitchen Lighting Ideas 2022

Kitchens are ground zero for delectable meals, family gatherings, and creative design opportunities, which means they should certainly shine. Enter: kitchen lighting ideas, an essential prerequisite for cheffing it up. From ornamental pendants to unobtrusive track lighting, the options for kitchen light fixtures are endless. Today's top designers have predictably led the way in illuminating different design possibilities, proving that sconces, blinged-out chandeliers, and dimmers all have a seat at the kitchen table.

Just like living rooms and bedrooms, the tried and true rules of layered lighting apply to the kitchen. By intentionally layering light, you can harness that power and create a well-lit, well-balanced kitchen interior. To start, employ task lighting like sconces and chic lamps above cooking hot spots for more clarity. Next up, evenly-dispersed ambient lighting can help further create balance. And, of course, don’t discount a statement piece. Be it a tole chandelier or a Murano glass fixture, statement lighting can work in a kitchen, too.

If you’re currently in the midst of cooking up a lighting scheme for your own kitchen, here are 35 kitchens that exemplify a considered and purposeful approach to lighting. Get inspired by how these designers lit up these kitchens, whether you have a small layout or a space with low ceilings.

1

Out of the Blue

Rustic White Photography

For a sleek mid-century modern-inspired kitchen, Brian Watford suspended a trio of glass globe pendant lights above a marble-topped kitchen island.

2

Minty Fresh

John M. Hall

In this farmhouse-inspired kitchen designed by Young Huh, mint green cabinetry provides a striking backdrop for a trifecta of simple glass pendants.

3

Be In The Pink

Werner Straube

Red pendants lend the perfect amount of vibrancy to this coral kitchen designed by Elizabeth Drake.

4

Mix and Match

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Playfulness is on full display in this ultra-patterned kitchen designed by Bachman Brown.

5

Easy Breezy

Julie Soefer

The navy blue and gold-accented island steals the show in this sun-filled kitchen designed by Creative Tonic, while a quintuplet of sconces provide directed countertop light.

6

Struck Gold

Laura Resen

In this sophisticated kitchen designed by Beth Webb, gold pendants blend seamlessly with a mosaic backsplash and weathered wood island.

7

Old Fashioned

Nathan Schroder

Vintage hanging lanterns impose Victorian-esque charm in this sunny and airy kitchen teed up by Dodson Interiors.

8

Double Duty

David Sundberg, ESTO

In this kitchen cued up by Douglas C. Wright, a shaded pendant illuminates the wood kitchen island, while a gold picture light sheds light on a book-filled hutch.

9

Let Them Eat Cake

Josh Thornton

Reminiscent of a French bakery, this ultra-chic kitchen designed by Summer Thornton makes the ultimate case for a classic black and white color combo.

10

Sun-Drenched Style

Family Room

Although the skylight and arched floor-to-ceiling windows bring in plenty of light, industrial pendants and a massive orb chandelier seal the deal in this kitchen designed by James Thomas.

11

Plain Poise

Nick Guttridge

A Sputnik-inspired chandelier adds a touch of modernism to this the otherwise provincial-style space designed by Christina Nielsen.

12

Down to Earth

Beall + Thomas Photography

A brass keystone chandelier is a perfect complement to this neutral kitchen designed by Suzanne Kasler.

13

Playful in Pink

Annie Schlechter

A spunky palette and playful pendants wake up this kitchen designed by Ayromloo Design.

14

Good Things Come in Threes

Christopher Dibble Photography

Symmetry is the name of the game for this kitchen designed by Nate Berkus. Three opaline globe pendants perfectly balance the island's six bar stools.

15

Lead the Way

Julie Soefer

A pair of steel-encased globe pendant lights provide ample light in this cheery galley kitchen designed by Chandos Interiors.

16

Pendant Pairing

Durston Saylor

For a kitchen with a homey, cabin vibe designer David Scott used a pair of crimson, quatrefoil pendants to bring the outdoors in.

17

Strong as Steel

Chris Little Photography - Atlanta

Stainless pendants make the perfect complement to this chef-grade kitchen designed by J. Hirsch Interiors.

18

Elect Eclectism

Ryan McDonald

Afraid of overcrowding your kitchen with fixtures? Follow designer Sarah Montgomery's lead and opt for a single hanging pendant.

19

Exuberance, Exemplified

Phillip Ennis

So as not to compete with the vibrant color palette (and dramatic ceiling!) featured in this cozy kitchen, White Webb Interior Design selected a pair of simple milk glass pendants to provide illumination.

20

Dashingly Debonair

Michael Alan Kaskel

Industrial black pendants partnered with slate blue cabinets make this kitchen designed by KitchenLab Interiors feel both sleek and chic.

21

One-Track Mind

Aimee Mazzenga

Practice restraint and follow studio CAK's lead of installing simple black track lighting to make a kitchen feel unexpectedly minimalist.

22

Forward-Looking

Roger Davies

A funky, geometric overhead fixture gives this kitchen designed by Jamie Bush + Co. a futuristic feel.

23

Dreamy Drum

Anita Sarsidi

Two conical canvas drum pendants bring a uniquely industrialist touch to this kitchen designed by M. Elle Design.

24

Lumen Large

Neil Landino Jr.

A pair of neoclassical-style, lantern pendants bring in an Old World feel to this crisp and contemporary kitchen designed by Rinfret Limited.

25

Glint of Gold

Tim Williams

A gold dome pendant glistens against the background of weighty, navy-gray cabinetry in this kitchen designed by Laurie Blumenfeld.

26

Right as Rain

Tony Soluri

In this serene, crisp kitchen designed by Lisa Berman, opaque flush mounts and a bulb-style chandelier recall water droplets falling from the sky.

27

Sea Shell Chic

Kris Tamburello

A chandelier made of seashells lends a whimsical note to this kitchen designed by Kakar House of Design.

28

Geometric Eclectism

Eric Piasecki

Prism-shaped light fixtures steal the show in this kitchen-slash-dining room designed by Kati Curtis.

29

Scalloped Edge

Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Crisp pendant lights let the bamboo-bedecked island and punchy blue backsplash take center stage in this modern kitchen teed up by L.A-based firm Murphy Design.

30

Drum Drama

Zeke Ruelas

A matte black drum pendant adds a brooding mystery to this crisp, contemporary kitchen produced by designer Lori Gilder.

31

A Serene Green

Renee DiSanto

In this muted, bungalow kitchen, design firm Park and Oak installed a petite wall sconce for some much-needed task lighting.

32

All-in-One

Michael Kaskel

To light up this open, versatile kitchen, KitchenLab Interiors installed a Sputnik chandelier as well as multi-pronged globe pendants.

33

Brooding Blue

Jack Thompson

To brighten up this moody blue kitchen, designer Nadia Palacios employed a pair of cylindrical brass lights.

34

Sputnik Style

Dustin Forest

Paying testament to the power of green and gold, designer Crystal Blackshaw selected an amber sputnik globe chandelier for this convivial kitchen.

35

Criss-Cross Chic

Catherine Nyugen Photography

A latticed drum pendant and rattan dining chairs imbue texture into this charming space designed by Kress Jack at Home.

Alicia Mies Alicia Mies is an editorial intern at Chairish, an online marketplace for vintage home decor.

70+ Stunning Kitchen Lighting Ideas

1

Layered Lariats

Roger Davies

For a cluster of lights that makes a statement alone and together, you can’t go wrong with a lariat style. In this Beverly Hills home, designer Oliver M. Furth strung an Apparatus pendant above a glossy island that’s decked out in brass fixtures and vintage Bride’s Veil counter stools from Twentieth.

2

Playful Pendants

Ema Peter

For this Vancouver home, design firm PlaidFox enlisted two squiggly pendants from Lambert & Fils to add a touch of whimsy to this modern kitchen. The final product is part playful, part pared-back, and all pristine.

3

Colorful Pendants

Alanna Hale

Trade in the typical brass, bronze, and silver pendants with a light fixture flushed in bold, bright colors. Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis mastered the look in this Bay Area abode by pairing this lively Schneid from Stillfried Wien style with yellow appliances and cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue.

4

Shape-Shifting Lanterns

André Rider

Pack on the visual appeal with mismatched fixtures, just as design firm Les Ensembliers did here. The three Formakami in this Montreal loft are slightly different, giving this an eclectic-yet-orderly edge.

5

A Simple Trio

Esther Choi

As this kitchen Dash Marshall designed for a TriBeCa apartment proves, all good things come in threes. The Ladies & Gentleman pendants pair nicely with the wavy wooden island and cabinetry—making a space that’s equal parts chic and curvaceous.

6

Artful Tube Lighting

Stephen Kent Johnson

Anyone who wants to pack on the drama will find a lot to love about the Apparatus fixture that designer Poonam Khanna added to this Hamptons beach house. Not only does the lengthy setup offset the spacious island, but it also draws the eye upward to highlight those tall ceilings.

7

Dual Lighting

Thomas Loof

Why settle for one light fixture when you can do a few? Summer Thornton juxtaposed the lights over the island—which were sourced from Roman and Williams Guild—with smaller flush mounts in an alcove. The result? A Chicago home that shines at full wattage.

8

Repetitive Lighting

Stephen Kent Johnson

Another way to prove the strength in numbers is by repeating the same fixture throughout your kitchen. Take a cue from Ryan Lawson, who made the most of Schoolhouse Electric Company’s flush mounts in this charming Connecticut home.

9

Supersize Pendant

Cerruti & Draime

As the saying goes, go big or go home. In this verdant kitchen, designer Fabrizio Casiraghi created contrast and a statement with this Isamu Noguchi pendant. The result? A standout fixture that draws the eye upward and highlights the room’s high ceiling.

10

Antique Accents

Ricardo Labougle

If you want to transport your kitchen to a different time and place, consider adding a vintage element. In this seaside villa, designer Lorenzo Castillo paired a gilded chandelier—which was sourced from a palace in Madrid—with an oak island and printed tiles.

11

’70s Lamps

Kris Tamburello

Pendants, sconces, and flush mounts might be the go-to lighting styles for a kitchen, but if you want to shake things up, consider placing table lamps on your counters. In this Boca Raton home, designer Fawn Galli enlisted sunset-toned fixtures by Verner Panton.

12

Large Industrial Pendants

Douglas Friedman

In a kitchen with rustic touches in this Malibu, California, home designed by Steven Gambrel, black accents make for a modern look—most prominently the black industrial pendants above the black countertop.

13

A Billiards-Style Pendant

Francesco Lagnese

A sleek pendant reminiscent of a billiards room hangs above a bright green island in a New York City apartment designed by Tom Scheerer and architect Gil P. Schafer.

14

2021 Pantone Colors of the Year

Miguel Flores-Vianna

With gray accents throughout the breakfast room of a Madrid apartment designed by Isabel López-Quesada, the yellow on the pendant adds a nice pop of brightness—almost like Pantone’s Colors of the Year for 2021, Illuminating and Ultimate Gray.

15

Pink Lampshade Pendant

Simon Upton

16

Custom Glass Pendants

Ricardo Labougle

17

Diamond-Motif Pendants

Eric Piasecki

These pendants would add a sophisticated design element to any kitchen, much like they do in this New Jersey home designed by Cullman & Kravis.

18

Light on Top, and Below

Sylvie Becquet

For a not-so-modern kitchen in Bill Brockschmidt’s palazzo in Sicily, this suspended pendant shines light both upward to the ceiling and below to the island, providing ample light for the whole space.

19

Brass Fixtures with Clear Bulbs

Douglas Friedman

20

Orb Pendants

John Ellis

These shiny orbs fit the bill in a light-filled California kitchen designed by Academy Award–winning set designers David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds-Wasco.

21

White Saucer Pendant

Trevor Tondro

In actress Sophia Bush’s Hollywood kitchen, designed by Jake Alexander Arnold, a white saucer pendant hangs from exposed beams, lending shape and texture to the plain white backdrop of the cabinets.

22

Neutral Ceramic Pendants

Luke White

23

Exposed Wire Pendants

Douglas Friedman

24

Polished Cage Lights

Douglas Friedman

Oversized cage pendants in a polished silver finish tie together this Miami kitchen while providing a generous amount of light.

25

Dandelion Chandeliers

Richard Powers

This art aficionado’s Museum Mile kitchen is enlivened by dandelion chandeliers by Tony Duquette, which offer a playful touch in the classic yet modern space.

26

Sleek Steel Fixtures

Mike Schwartz

In a contemporary Lincoln Park kitchen, materiality is center stage with sleek steel light fixtures that give the space one of its many layers of texture.

27

Opal Glass and Vintage Brass

Douglas Friedman

28

Globular Plaster Pendant

Pascal Chevallier

An antique black-plaster pendant light offers a modern appeal amidst the retro black-and-white design of this Paris kitchen.

29

Mix of Old and New

Eric Piasecki

A kitchen ceiling clad in glass tiles is accented by eight circa-1930 C.F. Otto Müller ceiling lights and grounded with a pendant designed by Steven Gambrel for the Urban Electric Co.

30

Industrial Bulb

Tessa Neustadt

Subtle yet packed with personality, this kitchen by Stefani Stein Inc. features an industrial-style bulb pendant that makes the case for understated design.

31

Refined Rustic

Chris Everard, The White Company

32

Modern Lampshades

Emily Gilbert

33

Brass and Glass

Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Contemporary pendants are dispersed across this D.C. kitchen, with a gilded appeal that balances the space's cool navy hues.

34

Modern Globe Pendant

Alison Gootee

In the House of ELLE Decor's Neal Beckstedt-designed kitchen, globe pendants with a black-and-brass finish ground the contemporary space.

35

Sculptural Tortoise

Heidi A. Long

Sculptural tortoise pendant lights hang above this moody gray kitchen, serving as a focal point against the otherwise monochrome space.

36

Extra-Long Brass Pendants

Courtesy of The Selby

In the kitchen of this lofted Los Angeles home, Hans Verstuyft brass pendants from Plug Lighting are a sleek counterpoint to an 1890s farm table framed by vintage French chairs from Obsolete.

37

Multicolored Glass

Patrick Cline

A relatively traditional kitchen in this Tribeca condo is brought to life with a scattering of Murano-style blown glass pendants in confetti tones.

38

Circular Pendant Lights

Christian Harder

In the kitchen of this renovated spec home, natural light complements the custom cerused oak kitchen cabinetry with custom brass detailing. Circular pendant lights from Lambert & Fils provide contrast and bring out streaks of black in the marble countertops and backsplash from Marble America in New Rochelle, New York. The stools were sourced from CB2, and the appliances, Wolf.

39

Polished Nickel Pentagon

Paul Costello

In a New Orleans mansion, an open cage, polished nickel pendant from Arteriors casts stylish shadows in a marble kitchen.

40

Multiple Edison Bulbs

Ricardo Labougle

On an idyllic Aegean island, the kitchen’s custom island is in stainless steel, the sinks and fittings are by Marcel Wanders for Boffi, and the wall cabinets, counters, and backsplash are in Carrara marble. The ceiling is clad in bamboo and walnut, and the light—a collection of Edison bulbs framed out in a glass rectangle—is custom.

41

Vintage Ceramic

JAMES MERRELL

In this Milanese attic apartment, the custom cabinetry is fitted with marble counters, and the ceramic pendant is vintage.

42

Rolleiflex Pendants

Nicole Cohen

"The vintage Rolleiflex pendant lamps are also one of my favorite things in our home," Refinery29 founder Christine Barberich says of these blue and white striped pieces. "I found them on eBay for next to nothing and they cast the most beautiful glow."

43

Concrete Trio

Claire Esparros

In Homepolish co-founder Will Nathan's industrial loft, a trio of concrete gray pendants softly grounds a white and wood kitchen.

44

Gilded pendants

Eric Piasecki

The custom kitchen island in Christina Juarez' home has a Carrara marble top, the pendants are by Tom Dixon, and the barstools are by CB2; the bar cart is by Homenature, and the Sam Still artwork above it hangs on a wall covered in a Madeline Weinrib wallpaper; the antique birthing chair is from New Orleans.

45

Simple Retro

Stephen Kent Johnson

In Amanda Seyfried's Catskills home, the kitchen’s range and hood are by Wolf, the Whitehaus sink is fitted with a Kallista faucet, and the backsplash is of tiles by Heath Ceramics; the island has a countertop of Caesarstone, the pairs of pendant lights are by Tom Dixon, and the cabinets are painted in Aganthus Green by Benjamin Moore.

46

1920s Antique Lighting

Simon Upton

In this Connecticut kitchen, the island has a top of honed Carrara marble, the wall tiles are by Waterworks, the stove is Viking, and the stools are by York Street Studio; the 19th-century Windsor chair is a family heirloom, and the 1920s English pendants are from BK Antiques.

47

Massive Pendants

Mikkel Vang

In a New York apartment, the kitchen’s sink, fittings, and tile backsplash are by Waterworks. The range is by Wolf, the pendants are by Circa Lighting, the custom island has a Calacatta marble top, and the flooring is limestone with black-marble cabochons.

48

Organic 20th-Century Design

Ricardo Labougle

In a London townhouse, the kitchen cabinetry by Plain English is painted in Pure Grey 6 by Papers and Paints, the 1955 pendant lights are by Serge Mouille, the wall tiles are by Neisha Crosland and the floor is made of three types of limestone.

49

Solid Brass and Frosted Glass

Francis Amiand

In this home, the dining table and chairs are by DimoreStudio, the Sputnik ceiling light is by Fedele Papagni, and the marble flooring is original to the 1970s building in this Monte Carlo apartment. The artworks in the dining area are by Pierre Le-Tan.

50

Concentric Art

Trevor Tondro

The unique structure of this Artemide light fixture in an eat-in kitchen is made out of aluminum and white metal. The sleek design allows for "...a nuanced mix of light and shadow".

51

Polished Sconces

William Waldron

The light, striped wallpaper in this West Village dining room is illuminated with simple Areti wall sconces, designed to reflect light outward and fill the entire space. Other furnishings include a table and a banquette upholstered in Maharam fabrics, The Thonet chairs are vintage, the barstool is by Gubi, the wallcovering is Work + Sea’s Watercolor Stripe and the artworks include pieces by Wardell Milan, John Register, and Jeff Lewis.

52

Hammered Brass Chandelier

Joshua McHugh

The hand made chandelier in this Upper West Side apartment adds a metallic element that gives movement to the space. The dining table and banquette in this apartment, upholstered in a Maharam mohair, are custom designs; the swivel chairs are by Koi and the painting is by Allen Anthony Hansen.

53

Radial, Symmetrical Forms

Trevor Tondro

In a glamorous Central Park apartment, the kitchen table is by Egg Collective, the Holly Hunt chairs are covered in a leather from Keleen Leathers and the light fixture is by Lindsey Adelman.

54

Sculptural Lanterns

Richard Powers

In the kitchen of an Upstate New York ranch, handmade lantern-style ceiling lamps were designed with the intention of creating "a harmonious blend of Japanese handcraft and modernist form." A root table found at an upstate New York auction was fitted with a glass top, the Josef Hoffmann chairs are covered in a vintage Larsen fabric, the ceiling incorporates beams from a 19th-century Pennsylvania barn and the lights are by Isamu Noguchi.

55

Mirror Ball Pendants

Produced by Cynthia Frank; Photography by William Waldron

In Tamara Mellon’s Hamptons house, pendant lights by Tom Dixon create a refined, disco-esq vibe. The shape and material of the fixture is “lightweight yet robust and reflects its environment, projecting downward ambient light” (via tomdixon.net). The cabinetry is custom made, the oven and stove are by Wolf, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore's Decorators White.

56

Custom Brass Design

Produced by Cynthia Frank; Photography by Simon Upton

Salvagni designed the brass light fixture in the kitchen of a Rome palazzo. The 1780 Venetian portrait is of a family ancestor, the custom-made cabinetry is painted in Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath, and the walls are painted in Skimming Stone.

57

Refined Industrial

Produced by Robert Rufino; Photography by Björn Wallander

This kitchen island was made with reclaimed wood from the Upstate New York house, the countertop is Carrara marble, and the refrigerator is by Sub-Zero; the light fixtures are from Time and Materials, and the window frames, shutters, and cabinetry are painted in Farrow & Ball's Buff.

58

Repurposed Pendants

Photography by David Woolley/Limitless Pictures

Vintage light fixtures from an ammunition factory hang above an early-19th-century shop counter in this UK kitchen; the floor is painted in Farrow & Ball's Down Pipe.

59

Charcoal Cone Pendants

Produced by Robert Rufino; Photography by Björn Wallander

The kitchen stools are by BDDW, the pendant lights are by Paul Ferrante, and the ceiling fixtures are by Charles Edwards in this Santa Monica kitchen. The range is BlueStar, the refrigerator is Sub-Zero, and the custom-made cabinetry is painted in Farrow & Ball's Old White.

60

Sleek Metal

William Waldron

In a Manhattan kitchen the chairs and banquette are custom made, the Saarinen table is from Design Within Reach, and the pendant light is from Avantgarden; the wallpaper is by Hines & Company, and the herringbone flooring is original.

61

Worn Metal & Glass

Richard Powers

This Hollywood Hills kitchen features vintage pendants from Obsolete, BassamFellows stools from Design Within Reach, and a sink by Shaws with fittings by Jaclo. The custom-made cabinetry is painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue, the countertops are Carrara marble, and the hood by Modern-Aire is custom made, as is the flooring by Granada Tile.

62

Factory Lights

Simon Upton

On the Upper East Side, pendants from a Czechoslovakian factory and 1940s stools by Warren McArthur in the kitchen; the oven is by Wolf, the floor is lined with Corten steel tiles, and the staircase is suspended from cable supports.

63

Sleek Swedish Design

Kristoffer Johnsson

A chandelier by Jonas Bohlin for Örsjö Belysning hangs above a custom-made table in a Swedish kitchen. The chairs are by Magis, and the rug is sisal.

64

Modern Danish Pendants

Björn Wallander

The kitchen cabinetry in this Hamptons house is custom made, the stools are by BassamFellows, and the pendant lights are by Louis Poulsen; the refrigerator is by Sub-Zero, and the hood is by Wolf.

65

Stained Glass

Douglas Friedman

The custom made kitchen counters and sink are accented by a pair of stylish pendants, and the dishwasher is by Fisher & Paykel in a home in New York's famed Tuxedo Park.

66

White Ball Lights

Simon Upton

Pendants by Circa Lighting hang above the granite-topped kitchen island. The cabinetry is custom made, the range is by De Dietrich, and the flooring is granite and quartzite in this Paris kitchen.

67

Chain Hanging

Douglas Friedman

In a New York apartment the kitchen counters are Calacatta Gold marble, the sink fittings are by Waterworks, and stools by Palecek are covered in a Designtex fabric; the cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore's Stonington Gray, the hood is custom made, and the walls are sheathed in Walker Zanger tiles.

68

Aligned Golden Pendants

Björn Wallander

The kitchen island and counters in this New York home are topped with a Caesarstone surface, the Bertoia barstools are by Knoll, and the 1950s pendants are Italian; the refrigerator is by Thermador, and the sink by Elkay has Rohl fittings.

69

Long Hanging

William Abranowicz

Pendant lights by Produzione Privata hang above this marble-top kitchen counter in Westchester, the bar chairs are by Thonet, and the table is custom made, as are the milk glass–lined cabinets. The backsplash tiles are by Waterworks.

70

Three-Arm Ceiling Light

Photography By Richard Powers/ Produced By Anita Sarsidi

In this New York kitchen, the custom cabinetry is ebonized oak topped with Nero Marquina marble, the Milo Baughman barstools were found on eBay, and the iron sculpture is a Paris flea market find; the range is by Jade, the refrigerator is by Sub-Zero, and the sink fittings are by Kohler. Most importantly: The light is Serge Mouille.

71

Matte Black Pendants

Simon Upton

The walnut-veneer kitchen island in Paris and cabinetry are custom made, the stools are by Mater Design, and the pendant lights are by Tom Dixon; the ovens and refrigerator are by Gaggenau, and the sink fittings are by Franke.

Kelsey Mulvey Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others.

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