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18 Kitchen Lighting Ideas to Brighten Up Your Space



Kitchens are not only meant for three daily meals—there’s also midnight treats, snack time, and the most special family gatherings & holiday parties. Needless to say, a lot goes on in here, and you need to be able to see clearly to do it all perfectly. But while we spend a big chunk of our budget (and time) planning for the color scheme and appliance choices, odds are most of us don’t obsess over kitchen lighting fixtures. Unless you’re a designer, of course. Professionals know the power of the right kitchen lighting ideas, and the decision is definitely not the easiest. You need to consider how you will use the kitchen, as well as other details, such as cabinet color, backsplash, hardware finish, and a lot more.


Browse the top 18 kitchen lighting ideas below, and you’ll land great choices for every design aesthetic, taste, and budget.


Wall Sconces


Price: $192


A classic choice. Install a trio of small sconces on the wall above the sink. Choose fixtures with a black finish for a modern look, or to balance colorful accents.


Kitchen Island Pendants


Price: $360


Anchor the heart of your kitchen with sleek pendant lighting. Hang a pair of pendants in a kitchen with limited space, and scale up to three (or more), depending on what fits in.


Can Lights


Price: $166


Can lights get a bad reputation for being boring and outdated, but when wrapped in an eye-catchy metal finish, they can make quite the statement. Here, the designer chose to pull the fixture’s hue from the bold black sink backsplash.


Color Coordination



Instead of choosing contrasting metal finishes for your kitchen lighting ideas, opt for powder-coated steel, as the designer did for this coastal-style interior. It helped lift the kitchen without weighing it down with heavy materials or dark colors.


Adjustable Lighting



While dimmers customize your fixture’s temperature and brightness, the fixtures themselves are always, well, fixed. However, with a rise-and-fall pendant, like in this kitchen, both the shade and bulb can move up and down to accommodate cozier parties, larger centerpieces, and even times of deep focus on your kitchen island.


Statement Kitchen Lighting Ideas


Price: $3,560


Task lighting is important to ensure you prep food safely, but statement lighting is equally essential. Hang a stunning chandelier, like this dark walnut linear chandelier, and see how it instantly uplifts the interior, regardless of the design style.


Portable Lamp


Price: $1,294


Utilize the open shelving in your kitchen as an opportunity to showcase your favorite lamp. A great example is this coal LED table lamp, which looks just as stunning even when not in use. If the wall isn’t wired, consider opting for a cordless portable LED lamp.


Japandi-Style Pendants


Price: $68.80


If you’re into that clean but cozy look, Japandi-style pendants are for you. This one’s simple, sleek, and just moody enough with its oil-rubbed bronze finish. It works great over an island or tucked into a breakfast nook. Bonus points if your kitchen features warm wood tones or soft neutrals—this style truly thrives in that kind of ambiance.


Kitchen Floor Lamp


Price: $1,198


Place a floor lamp to define zones seamlessly in a big, open-plan kitchen. In this contemporary space, a bold red floor lamp introduces a jolt of color and a lovely ambient light source. A sleek, toned-down fixture works beautifully too; it all comes down to the vibe you’re aiming for. Whether punchy or playful, a floor lamp can totally tie the space together.


Candy-Colored Pendants



Add a whimsical element to an otherwise utilitarian space with a trio of candy-colored pendants. Pair with natural wood cabinetry, metal hardware, and slabs of stone for a fresh feel.


Creative Combinations



Price: $360.00 + $192.00


It’s easy to get convinced to buy all matching fixtures for your kitchen. For a truly coherent yet elevated kitchen lighting idea, designers suggest using different shapes but similar materials. For example, a gold pylon pendant light to complement the gold hardware, and black wall sconces to echo the black-tiled backsplash without going overboard.


Brass Flush Mount


Price: $329.99


Although flat to the ceiling, shiny brass flush mounts still know how to make an entrance. This weathered version brings in a bit of vintage charm while keeping things streamlined. It’s perfect for kitchens with lower ceilings (or tight layouts), where pendant lights might feel too bulky. Pair it with gold or brass hardware to keep the look cohesive, and let that warm metallic glow work its magic.


Under-Cabinet Light


Price: $108.00


Illuminate a small kitchen with sleek LED lighting for a modern feel. In this interior, a bronze under-cabinet LED strip casts a warm glow onto the marble backsplash, while a minimal, textured black pendant lights up the island.


Sunburst Fixtures


Price: $1600.00


Give your kitchen lighting ideas a touch of the outdoors with a classic sunburst fixture. Whether you’re going for glam, mid-century, or just want something unexpected above the island or dining nook, this design brings all the character. Bonus: it looks just as good off as it does on.


Woven Pendant


Price: $855.80


A designer tip for creating an inviting eat-in dining area is to hang your pendant light low, so it hovers right above the eye level of the tallest member in your home. It makes the interior feel grounded and floods the table with a warm glow during evening meals.


Crystal Chandelier


Price: $1,660.00


Who says chandeliers are reserved for the living room or dining room? Take them to the kitchen for a glamorous look. The fixture introduces sparkle and luminosity when lit, but the crystals catch (and bounce) around light even when off.


Colorful Kitchen Lighting Idea



Kitchen lighting doesn’t have to be limited to metals and neutrals. Take a note from this vibrant kitchen where the designer looks to the color wheel to find the perfect contrasting shade that pops against this monochromatic kitchen. Here, a bold red stands out against the bold green cabinetry.


Accent Lights


Price: $462.00


Picture lights can be used for more than just illuminating wall art; install them in the kitchen to make your open shelving shine. If you’re a collector, this kitchen lighting idea is the perfect way to flaunt your family heirlooms and hard-won antique finds.


 
 
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