Make your kitchen glow gorgeous with functional kitchen lighting ideas and designs. Pendants, spots, and all manner of shades and chandeliers will not only direct the light where you need it most, but they will give your space ambiance and finish off your overall scheme perfectly.

After all, modern-day multifunctional kitchens require an array of versatile lighting solutions to switch on the sparkle as and when needed for specific tasks. Upping your lighting game is a must.

BY HOLLY PHILLIPS, CHRISTINA CHRYSOSTOMOU, SARAH WARWICK

Consider your lighting design as the jewelry in your scheme. Choose the best kitchen lighting to be the dazzling pièce de résistance, whilst also creating the right ambiance or highlighting a task zone area. 

Jennifer Harris, Allied ASID, Design Lines Signature, comments: ‘Light fixtures dress up a space and act as a piece of art, all while providing a functional purpose. The style of your fixture should coordinate with furnishings selected for the space and reflect your personality. When selecting lighting, don’t forget to consider the shapes present in the room, such as a round or rectangular dining table, as well as the scale of the room. Installing dimmer switches and separate controls for each source can allow for a wide variety of moods.’

Georgia Zikas, Georgia Zikas Design, agrees: ‘Lights are the jewelry of a room. They add instant shine and impact to your space and can be as versatile or as stately as you like. In choosing your chandelier, I would recommend considering function and use. These elements will help you determine the style and size of the light fixture to choose.’

Scale is everything when it comes to kitchen ceiling lighting ideas. In open-plan kitchens with an island, create a luxe, attention-grabbing focal point with a duo of striking, large-scale chandeliers that zone the space. Mix things up with exaggerated or explosive silhouettes in mixed materials to add dynamic, texture, and contrast with a contemporary attitude. 

Malka Helft, Think Chic Interiors, advises: ‘I love nothing more than adding statement lighting throughout various, even unexpected rooms and spaces, in my projects. My best rules of thumb are to choose distinct chandeliers for the room you’re working in. If you have a more traditional design in a dining room but it makes sense to go more modern in your entryway, then don’t be afraid to mix and match. I also think scale is important.’

Larger open-plan kitchens and multifunctional spaces often require multiple lighting solutions to serve different needs and occasions. For instance, you might want to suspend a group of task pendants over your island cooking hotspot, with a different statement design over your dining table or open space to create the desired focal point for dining or entertaining. But how do you prevent different designs from ‘outshining' one another’?

Create a cohesive lighting scheme with different designs that share a common element or material. Shown here, stand-alone glass ceiling lights unite the scheme, keeping things light and bright (quite literally) without overcrowding the overall aesthetic. 

Inspired by this design? For a similar look, shop Wayfair's selection of glass pendant lights and mix and match away.

Add instant impact with caged style pendants in graphic formations. Available in a plethora of geometric shapes ranging from humble cube to faceted hexagon, these vintage-factory-inspired classics have been given a modern rethink in glamorous metallics and raw industrial tones. Swoon over Industrial Light Electric's amazing collection of industrial caged pendant lights, available in metallic and fun color finishes, to heighten interest in any style of kitchen – traditional, rustic, urban, or contemporary, with a gravity-defying effect!

Jamie King, JLK Interiors, comments: ‘When it comes to lighting, I love experimenting with different finishes. My personal favorite style is a metal light fixture, whether it is bronze or gold it adds an elegant yet industrial component to the room. I also think having fun with the light bulbs is a great way to change the look of the fixture.’

Jennifer Markowitz, JNR Designs, comments: ‘Choosing a statement light fixture can seem daunting but I always tell clients to take the design elements they love in their home and apply it to the light. If you have a coastal vibe going, then perhaps a rattan or other natural fixture will be the best fit, but if you have a more traditional space, then you might want to go with a beautiful crystal chandelier. The most important thing is to have fun with it, and make it your own.’ 

When remodeling a kitchen, lighting is the key element that will make a space sink or swim. No pressure cooker there then! According to Julia Miller, founder, Yond Interiors, it’s all about incorporating three sources of varying light.

‘One - can or recessed lighting; two - task lighting over an island or work surface; and three - an additional source of ambient lightings, such as decorative lighting over a window or open shelf.’

She continues: ‘If you can only sneak in two sources like a can or task lighting, just make sure you are getting enough directional and diffused light out of your fixtures. This typically works best with fixtures like a glass globe since most people don’t like using can lighting all the time.’

Kerry Laird, interior designer at Fishpools, comments: 'Lighting falls into one of three categories: General, Task and Accent.'

She continues: 'Kitchen spaces are all about the task lighting. Food preparation areas, the hob, oven, sink, and fridge all require a high level of visibility, so spotlights or directional lights over these areas are often your best bet. Low hanging pendant lights can provide focused illumination whilst also offering a stylish focal point for your space.'

'Make sure other areas like cupboards are sufficiently lit too, perhaps with the aid of additional lighting. If you have a dining/breakfast area in your kitchen, treat this as a separate entity with the use of mood lighting.'

Glow-up and giddy up your kitchen with motivational neon lights that brighten up your space as well as your spirits. Use these fun color pops to make a personalized statement with a playful, modern edge. Where there’s a phrase, there’s a color and way to light it up!

Courtney from Custom Neon, comments: ‘Over recent years, especially with the pandemic compelling many people to stay home, we’ve seen a lot more of our customers using LED neon signs in their kitchens. They make the most gorgeous piece of lighted décor, which pairs well with downlights and other lighting features. It’s also a great way to add an individualized and creative flair to your kitchen, making it a more inviting space overall.’

'For those looking to incorporate ceiling lighting into their kitchens, a larger statement hanging light is the perfect option as it can act as both task and ambient lighting, especially when placed above a kitchen island. This type of lighting illuminates a specific area, making the completion of a task much easier. Flat rectangular panel luminaries are particularly popular and can be dimmed down to create more of a relaxed atmosphere for socializing or preparing food,' says David Amos, CEO at Amos Lighting.

Grey kitchen ideas have been the go-to for many residential family homes and commercial properties. This classic shade can do no wrong (in most instances). But if your cookhouse is looking a little cold, warm things up with a gold fluted glass chandelier design.

Gold is the obvious choice when it comes to glamming up a modern kitchen space, but the vertical grooves on the glass add trendy texture and decoratively distort the light.

We love the fact that this ribbed effect is continued and picked up in the vase and glass water bottle.

If you're dealing with a compact space, you'll need to rethink things with small kitchen lighting ideas. If your wish list declares a chandelier, think long and thin rather than something wide and showy.

This Pentabulous chandelier from Pooky (yes – penta – five lights) is imposing and stylish, without dominating the scheme. And because you need to add your own shades to this kitchen lighting idea, you can totally make it your own.

Some materials used in materials are just made to be shown off. Marble islands, for example, are one of many luxury kitchen ideas that look expensive and show that you're not short of a few dollars in your pocket.

While concrete usually sits on the other side of the spectrum as an industrial finish, its too-cool-for-school looks combined with marble's veiny appearance work together in harmony.

Look closely and you'll see this trio of bell-shaped Soprano pendant lights by Pooky have little nuances about them. Ripples of light and dark grey make them perfectly imperfect... And we think that's pretty deep for a kitchen lighting idea.

As dramatic as they can be, dark kitchens are a little less practical than their lighter counterparts when it comes to kitchen lighting ideas. But that doesn't mean that you should be discouraged from navy or inky blue kitchen ideas.

These Henry pendant shades mimic the look of gathered fabric, except they are made from glass. So whether you choose a clear, smoked, or colored glass kitchen lighting idea, this material is so versatile and can contribute to creating a really intimate atmosphere.

OK... so black and navy shouldn't usually mix, but we're willing to make exceptions where kitchens look this cool. Situated around the island, these lights sit atop the Haddon shaker-style kitchen from Burbidge & Son's Kitchen Makers for a sophisticated look.

What makes this kitchen lighting idea smart is the fact that the brass fixture matches with the handles on the dark blue unit.

Our kitchens are more than just a place to prepare food. As social areas of the home where one too many parties may have taken place (guilty!), it's a place to show off your culinary skills and amateur chef equipment.

Whether you've got a new set of knives or some raw wood chopping boards, don't hide them away – show them off them proudly. Shown here, the alcove acts as a display area for kitchenware. A trio of pendant lighting ideas with their concertinaed detail brightens up the wide kitchen cubby, adding tutu-inspired silhouettes above.

Opt for cute, quaint, and dainty designs with exposed bulbs to highlight the pantry with an industrial nod. Match ceramic pendants in shades of plaster or natural terracotta, with cream kitchen storage and crockery to awash your scheme in gentle hues and warmth. 

These beautiful lights will lift the mood of any sized kitchen space and attract much praise from guests – despite their diminutive appearance. Use this as an excuse to bring out nanna's pretty vintage hand-me-downs and put your best plate forward.

If you're looking to display a trio of kitchen lighting ideas – they don't have to be the same. Similar yes, but not identical. 

Try copper-colored lights in different sizes for a play on scale and perspective that packs a shiny punch! Team metallics with a black kitchen scheme for a dramatic look oozing with depth and luxe accents. 

Create a talking point above your island with a group of industrial-inspired pendants with exposed filament bulbs staggered at different heights. Experiment with different types of bulbs for an eclectic touch. 

When it comes to kitchen island lighting ideas, multiple lights have more impact. Choose matching designs for a cohesive and balanced aesthetic, or mix things up with different shapes and tonal shades.

Of all the rooms in the house, the kitchen perhaps sees the most varied activities, and if it's combined with a dining and living space, the most action, too. Pay attention to how you use each part of the space to decide which kitchen lights you need where – especially lookout for spaces you use a lot and will need plenty of kitchen task lighting. 

The overall look of your kitchen lighting should complement the kitchen’s style, and by considering how you use each kitchen zone, you’ll begin to see why getting the right kitchen lighting in the right places can really help make this space a success, whether you have a modern or traditional kitchen.

Working out orientation and how much natural light your room gets will help inform your kitchen lighting design. For example, north-facing rooms are likely to be light-starved; east-facing rooms will get little light in the afternoons; while south- and west-facing kitchens are likely to be naturally bright well into the late afternoon. 

Think about natural dark spots, too. For example, if you’re planning a kitchen extension, the area in the deepest part of the extension will lack natural light and might need lighting during the day. 

However, it's worth talking to your architect first about improving light levels with glazing, bi-fold doors, and roof lights, keeping in mind the location wherein the kitchen would work best before you start planning the lighting scheme. 

Ceiling heights will affect the room's natural light levels, as well as the surfaces you're planning on installing in the kitchen. Light-colored cabinets, flooring, worktops, kitchen paint colors, and high-gloss finishes, will all bounce light around and lessen the need for artificial lighting. 

When you’re planning how to light a kitchen, working out the exact position of your kitchen units and furniture is a must.

'You’ll want lights over worktops and not walkways. If you’re planning a kitchen diner, you don’t want the dining table where there isn’t going to be any light. You need to know the height of your units too and whether you’re going to want to light these spaces from above.' explains Rebecca Hutchison, senior designer at John Cullen Lighting.

Working this way will also help you pinpoint where your light switches will be; if yours is an open-plan kitchen layout with a diner and living space, you may want lighting controls at both ends of the room.

Plinth lighting can be subtly concealed beneath a substantially sized kitchen island to create an almost floating effect. In this kitchen lighting design, illumination also shows off the stylish parquet flooring.

Looking for kitchen lighting ideas that are a feature in themselves? Pendant lighting above a kitchen island draws attention to the feature and can create a pool of light when it – or a portion of it – doubles as a breakfast bar or dining area. 

This striking yellow pendant light really packs a colorful punch in contrast to the deep cabinets and marble countertops.

Kitchen task lighting needn’t be dull just because it’s functional. In this room, white SEKOND cord sets and RYET lightbulbs all Ikea, stand out against the dark tones of the wall to illuminate the worktops and kitchen backsplash, creating a moody aesthetic.

When you’re planning kitchen lighting, under-cabinet lighting isn’t just a practical feature to illuminate worktops. 

Position it at plinth level and it will sweep light onto the floor, whilst creating an attractive punctuation point between solid surfaces.  

We'd recommend planning kitchen lighting that works on a separate circuit over a dining table, so you can move attention to the meal you’ve created, and dim preparation area lights so pots and pans aren’t a distraction. We love this kitchen light idea which mismatches geometric pendant lights.

Lighting up cabinets is not only one of the most practical kitchen lighting ideas but it can also turn them into an interesting focal point within the space. If you have glass cabinets, fill them with your favorite glassware and crockery or why not pinch this idea and light up a well-organized pantry?

If you are after super practical kitchen lighting ideas, this is one to copy. Strip lights along the edge of shelves will elevate tableware and condiments on display, or use them to brighten drawers and gloomy cupboard interiors. LED strip lights by Amazon can be installed without the need for an electrician.

A piece of top kitchen lighting advice? Put the focus on the room’s best features. The gorgeous backsplash idea is a highlight of this kitchen, and downlights make it shine much more brilliantly than it would in daylight alone, showing off the textured subway tile design, too.

Kitchens tend to benefit from plenty of natural light, so make a great space in the home to try out an atmospheric dark scheme or the latest kitchen trend. 

A dark pendant light is a great way to create a graphic contrast in your dining space – and if you find that it doesn't work, after all, pendants are easy to replace. Choose an organic-inspired mesh design for added texture. 

This trio of matching industrial-style pendant lights presents a pleasing, unified look. 

The placement is ideal to illuminate the kitchen island when in use and the choice of off-white shades complements the light semi-matte countertops in this open space.

Think about how much daylight can be put to good use as you’re planning kitchen lighting. This Crittall-style glass extension idea allows light to flood into the space, reducing the need for artificial light during the day.

Lightbulb moment! You don't always have to use shades in an open area of your kitchen to create a feature. 

This kitchen lighting idea uses a mobile lighting fixture, complete with exposed bulbs for a streamlined, modern look that coordinates with the remainder mono scheme effortlessly. It's classy yet a bit edgy and works especially well in a white kitchen.

What a way to brighten up a breakfast bar. White kitchen lights will lift the light levels in all kinds of spaces. 

These three pendants above the breakfast bar area of the kitchen island help to marry the other parts of the color scheme together, whilst adding 'wide awake' appeal.

As we have mentioned, lighting kitchen counters with specific task lighting is an essential part of your kitchen design so you can... Well, see what you are doing when prepping food!

But they don't always have to be a standout feature in your kitchen, or take up space. Can you even spot the lights in this kitchen? A very small strip of ceiling spotlights hardly interferes with the quirky, colorful look of the space.

Check out Ikea for similar kitchen lighting. 

Wondering what the number one most annoying kitchen lighting problem is? Standing at the worktop and not having a clear view of what you’re doing because of your own shadow. This happens when ceiling lights have been positioned above the edge of the counter.

You don’t need to rip lights out of the ceiling to solve the issue though. Simply install under-cabinet lighting and your view of the work surface will be good, and chopping veg will be a far safer job.

Pendant lights above a counter can be a stunning part of a kitchen lighting design, but what height should they be hung at? 

As a rule, they should be around 32 to 40 inches above it, measuring between the base of the pendant light and the top of the counter. If the ceiling of your room is around 8 feet high, the smaller distance will probably suit, while if it’s taller, it will be better on the higher side.

Bear in mind that what you definitely don’t want is a light that blocks the view across the counter, so you might want to adjust depending on where the eye line of the tallest member of your household falls.

Want to make getting the height right really easy? Opt for a rise and fall light, like this Rise & Fall School Light 7200 from Davey Lighting, which you can adjust as needed.

We’ve talked about the height at which to hang pendant lights, but what about the distance in between them? Bear in mind when you’re planning kitchen lighting that the rule isn’t hard and fast and you should trust your feelings about how the lights look, but there are definitely guidelines to follow.

If there is room for an odd number of pendants over the island, then place the first light in the center – easy! Then hang the others so they’re at least 24 inches apart. It can be more, though, and you should adjust depending on the size of the pendants; up to 30 to 32 inches should look good.

Small island and only room for two pendants? The easiest way to work this out is to place the center of each of the two pendant lights one-quarter of the way in from either end of the island.

One of our favorite kitchen diner lighting ideas is to consider a more decorative, sculptural pendant light over the dining table. 

It will help to distinguish this area of the room where you sit down to relax and enjoy the results of your prep and cooking from the hard-working kitchen area.  

Opting to keep small appliances like a coffee maker and toaster off the counter and in a breakfast pantry design in which they’re concealed when not in use can help keep a kitchen tidy. 

But if your breakfast station is going to be a success, it needs great lighting inside so you can concentrate on the task at hand (yes, we’re talking task lighting once again.) This stylish design has internal downlights that make prepping breakfast easy.