15 Creative Kitchen Lighting Ideas That Put Plain Ceiling Lights to Shame

published Jul 22, 2024
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Don’t fall into the trap of sticking with the default kitchen lights that your home or rental came with — it’s time to consider removing, upgrading, or adding onto the builder-grade fixtures you may currently have with fresh kitchen lighting ideas that are both stylish and highly functional. 

“I’m not big on trends, but one thing I’d love to see more of is eliminating the use of overhead can lighting,” notes New York-based designer Ariel Okin. At the same time, this doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your kitchen and rip out electrical wires in your walls. A great place to start is by pinpointing the area(s) in the kitchen you use most. Whether you have a go-to corner of your countertops or an island you’d like to make more of a focal point, the key is to play around with different kitchen light fixture ideas.

“Layer your lighting,” says Jo Plant, head of design and production for U.K.-based lighting brand Pooky. “Bring in movable spotlights, articulated lights, pendants, and more. For instance, add a chandelier over the main table along with rechargeable lamps sprinkled around to create an inviting room you enjoy hanging out in.” 

For more inspiration, check out the designer styling tips below, plus 15 different kitchen lighting ideas you can shop right now — including under-the-counter strips, sconces, lantern pendants, and more.

Credit: Design: Apartment Therapy

Kitchen Lighting FAQs 

What lights look best in the kitchen? 

Think beyond just ceiling lights: From chandeliers to sconces, under-the-cabinet lighting, and everything in between, mixing and matching multiple sources of light will bring much-needed warmth and ambience to your kitchen. Just remember to find a balance and not pair pieces that will overwhelm the room or clash with one another. “There are certainly plenty of styles to choose from, such as traditional or modern,” says designer Valerie Darden of Brexton Cole Interiors. “My best advice is to follow your style and go with the aesthetic that best fits your home.” 

Are there any current kitchen lighting trends? 

According to Plant, the lighting in people’s kitchens continues to drastically evolve year after year. While it makes sense to stick with timeless designs that’ll never go out of style, there have been some recent in-demand products that many continue to gravitate to. “Integrated LED has really opened up possibilities in lighting design, and rechargeable LED table lamps are everywhere,” Zaveloff explains.

What’s a good formula for kitchen lighting? 

“A great formula for kitchen lighting is to have lights set up in three’s,” Darden confirms. It’s a go-to number for designers to ensure the look of a place is intentional and authentic. “Feel free to mix and match pendants and sconces to be used when needed, and decorative table lamps or rechargeable ones when hosting and having guests gather in the kitchen.”

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Credit: Jenni Radosevich

1. A Sconce by the Window 

Have windows that give your kitchen natural light? Highlight this coveted feature by focusing on it with a sconce above the sink, or opt for a set of matching fixtures on both sides. 

Buy: Battery-Operated Black Industrial Wall Sconce Set of Two, $99.99 from Amazon 

2.  Pick a Pendant 

When it comes to kitchen island lighting ideas, you can’t go wrong with overhead pendant lamps, like the pair in this Buenos Aires apartment. Rattan specifically provides plenty of texture and has become an increasingly popular material. “I prefer pendant lights over the island that have a solid exterior, except for the bottom so they are more of a task light and better for ambience during parties,” Imparfait Design Studio’s Rebekah Zaveloff suggests. 

Buy: Hand-Woven Bamboo Pendant Light, $69.99 from Amazon

Credit: Kiely Ramos

3. Scale Down with a Rechargeable Style

For an inexpensive way to achieve cozy ambient lighting, snag some rechargeable lamps that you can move around and place anywhere in your kitchen, as seen in this historic home in Toronto. “The cordless table lamps are fun for creating a mood, rather than under-cabinet task lighting,” Zaveloff continues.

Buy: Two-Pack Cordless Table Lamps, $69.99 from Amazon

4. Spotlight Your Fridge

As the biggest appliance in your kitchen, your refrigerator is arguably a centerpiece, so treat it like one. Take a cue from this maximalist Chicago rental and place sconces above or beside it — either way is perfect for waking up in the middle of the night to grab a midnight snack, just saying.  

Buy: Two-Pack Modern Gold Wall Sconces, $57.18 from The Home Depot

5. Dine In at the Disco

Unfortunately, real disco balls aren’t particularly functional light sources, but you can get a similar look and feel with a unique chandelier or pendant. Take this retro-inspired design — styled in a Victorian-era Michigan home — as a sign to go big and bold over your kitchen island. 

Buy: Crystals Chandelier Classic Pendant Light, $164.99 from Amazon

6. Install a Light Down Under 

An under-the-cabinet task light is an incredibly practical pick that’ll illuminate your kitchen in ways you’ve never seen before. Thankfully, there are also tons of easy-to-install lights in all sizes available on the market. 

Buy: GE Premium Slim LED Light Bar, $42.99 from Amazon   

7. Level Up With a Lampshade 

An eye-catching lampshade shouldn’t be reserved for just the living room or bedroom. They’re a cost-effective way to elevate a dated sconce or even a fanlight, so keep them in mind when you’re thinking of out-of-the-box kitchen ceiling lighting ideas. Designer Francesca Grace of Francesca Grace Home opted for skirted pendants from Alice and Palmer in her own Los Angeles kitchen, pictured here.

Buy: Pleated Silk Lampshade With Trim, $250 from Penny Morrison

8. Go for a Pop of Color

On the hunt for kitchen island lighting ideas that will draw the eye in without overwhelming the space? I recommend incorporating one of the dominant hues from your kitchen’s color palette through a set of sleek pendant lights, like in this plant-filled Lisbon apartment where the fixtures match the backsplash.   

Buy: Brashear Light Single Pendant, $82.99 from Wayfair

Credit: Julie Florio

9. Stay Minimal

Sometimes less is more. Install a modern chandelier that looks like a thin line — like the sleek style in this Jersey City house — for a stripped-back look that’ll shine in your kitchen. Keep it contemporary with useful bright white bulbs, perfect for prepping and cooking.

Buy: Léger Minimalist Pendant, $299.99 from Wayfair

Credit: Selena Kirchhoff

10. Turn on the Big Light 

Take a cue from this Scandinavian-inspired home in Paris and forget covering up light bulbs! Transparent, globe-style pendant lights with exaggerated bulbs are sure to grab everyone’s attention as soon as they walk into your kitchen. 

Buy: Sculptural Globe Pendant, $89 from West Elm

11. Take a Chance on a Chandelier 

Switch up your kitchen sink lighting by throwing a chandelier into the mix, like designer Nadia Ramadan did in her historic New Orleans home. Rather than sconces or a ceiling light, it’s a distinct choice that will go a long way, especially if your sink is built into an island. 

Buy: Light Dimmable Geometric Chandelier, $299 from Wayfair

Credit: Shawn Outley

12. Bring the Outdoors In

Who says string lights should just be hung outside? As this eclectic Cleveland, Ohio, duplex proves, they’re an excellent source of warm lighting for any kitchen. Hang them up across your ceiling, and I bet you won’t want to turn any other lights on.

Buy: Outdoor LED String Lights, $89 from Pottery Barn

13. Let the Wires Loose

In a world where most homes prefer to keep wires and cords hidden, this pendant light inside a bold Berkley, California, house may convince you otherwise. Above the island, the shiny wiring complements the industrial design of the lamp and ties the setup together.   

Buy: Darkaway Large Industrial Pendant Light, $185.99 from Amazon

14. Lean into Lanterns

For a versatile silhouette that works with a range of styles, consider overhead lantern lighting similar to the pair seen in this “modern transitional” California house. “I love the idea of lantern-style kitchen pendants,” Darden emphasizes. “This style of pendant helps a kitchen look timeless and upgraded. Lantern pendants can work with most home decor styles such as modern, farmhouse style, [or] cottage style, as well as traditional and historic homes.”

Buy: Light Lantern Pendant, $129.99 from Wayfair

Credit: LULA POGGI

15. Keep It Adjustable

Buy a chic sconce that’s adjustable, à la this renovated Barcelona apartment — you can swing it toward you when you’re cutting vegetables, or turn the light wherever you need it most. 

Buy: Beckham Swing Arm Sconce, $229 from Wayfair