On a pendant light with clear glass, the internal bulb can be just as decorative as the exterior. The utility-style lights in this Scandinavian kitchen require giant light bulbs connected to dark brown pendant holders and chain tubing. Complete a look similar to this by adding a similar pendant light over the sink or eat-in kitchen area that matches the bar.
29 Kitchen Lighting Ideas for a Contemporary Space
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Published: July 19, 2023
Updated: November 21, 2023
Kitchen lighting ideas are overtaking the internet because they’re fairly simple to add or remove with or without the help of an electrician. Not only is it a project that can typically be completed in a day, but it is incredible how selecting the right light fixture or feature can instantly transform a space. The kitchen is an area of the home that requires prominent lighting due to the nature of daily activities that take place there whether it be homework, cleaning, cooking, baking, and of course eating. It is a place where families and friends gather, and so naturally, kitchen lighting should be considered an important design element of your home.
The designers of the spaces below have curated and displayed numerous ideas to assist in your selection of lighting. Pendant lights, chandeliers, recessed, and under-cabinet lighting are showcased to help you get an idea of how different types of kitchen light fixtures could potentially elevate the design scheme you already have in place. Peruse these photographs and find the perfect way to illuminate your life.
02 of Extra-large Pendant Lamp Lights
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Kitchens with vaulted ceilings require light fixtures that can accommodate lots of open space. That is why in the dark and moody farmhouse kitchen shown here the homeowner not only has oversized industrial lamp pendants to hang over the island but also adjustable arm sconces hanging over the kitchen counters and recessed lighting built into the vaulted ceiling. Many lighting options can alter the room’s mood at any time of day.
03 of Brass Kitchen Lighting Ideas
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Brass is becoming a very popular metal to decorate with as brown tones work their way back into our interiors. This white island with a farmhouse sink bathes underneath the glow of an industrial pendant-style lamp. The brushed finish looks very organic in a kitchen known for its transitional modern style.
04 of Brushed Gold Fixtures Beside Black Accents
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This magnificent kitchen home to an elegant black stove hood and black island is accentuated beautifully by brushed gold light fixtures. A modern black and gold candelabra chandelier hangs down from a ceiling with exposed beams in the eat-in kitchen area, while the gold lamp-style pendant lights hang over a slab of glorious white and gray marble. The dimension of this space comes to life with the selection of pieces in black, silver, white, gold, and brown.
05 of Parisian Octagonal Pendant Lights
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The lights above this blue and white island are referred to as Parisian octagonal pendant lights for their unique shape and dimension. Boasting an eight-sided face on both sides of the three-dimensional fixture, they look very eclectic yet modern which exaggerates the beauty of the dusty blue cabinetry quite well. Tie this unique pendant light into your kitchen for a refresh that will be the talk of the town.
06 of Metallic Bucket Lights
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These bucket pendants are carving a place of their own into a light design. Similar to pendant lights with their black tubing, a lightbulb is situated at the bottom of a pendant holder, but that entire structure sits inside a metallic bucket. If you’re wanting to make a statement in your kitchen design and create a look that is a little glamorous, these are the lights for you.
07 of Fluorescent Floor Cabinet Lighting
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Special to this kitchen is the installation of under-cabinet lighting that illuminates not only the countertops but also the herringbone-patterned floor. In a dark moody kitchen like this one, you can guarantee that the blissful dark ambiance can stay all night long by simply turning on the cabinet lights and avoiding any overhead lighting. The fluorescent glow they cast is in stark contrast with the warmth of the yellow cylindrical pendant lights over the kitchen island.
08 of Textured Glass Island Lights
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In this bright white coastal kitchen are two pendant lights made of frosty textured glass that extends from gold tubing. The gold accent stands alone in a kitchen surrounded by brushed nickel hardware which helps the light fixtures stand out. Frosted glass allows the fluorescent lightbulb to casts a glow that blends in with the bright white cabinets and wall paint that surrounds the upper part of the room.
09 of DIY Plug-in Island Light
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Sometimes more light is necessary, but you may not want to go through the hassle of hiring an electrician. In this case, a DIY plug-in pendant light could be the answer. By selecting a light that can receive power through an outlet, you can run the cord along the ceiling and hide it behind a row of cabinets as it extends down the wall to its power source. This light in particular has a beveled glass shade that matches the simplicity of this small kitchen remarkably well.
10 of Dainty Gold Light Fixtures
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- stylewithwisdom2
The warm brown cabinets in this home needed a refresh, and to do so the owner had the island painted white and three gold lantern pendant lights added to spruce up the existing elements. The dainty gold frames coordinate with the minimalist circular candelabra chandelier situated over a white and black pedestal farmhouse table. Selecting light fixtures in the same color as your cabinet hardware is always a classic pairing, but then adding contrasting furniture like the black chairs and bar stools creates a whole new layer of depth to the space.
11 of Kitchen Sink Pendant Light
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Every kitchen needs a light source over the kitchen sink for those late-night dish duties. Instead of a flush mount or recessed light, the designer of this cottage kitchen selected a hanging pendant light with one simple bulb and a transparent glass shade. This adds a bit more style to an otherwise simple kitchen and creates a bit of contrast with the lantern light that hangs above the center of the kitchen and in the entryway.
12 of Blending Farmhouse Lighting
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A kitchen with an island and a dining area requires two separate light fixtures. The designer of this farmhouse kitchen selected a rustic Empire-style chandelier to hang above a circular white table and a three-bulb dome light to hang over a black and white island. Picking two separate fixtures made of similar metals will ensure that the space looks cohesive while introducing a little bit of flair and variety.
13 of Classic Pendant Kitchen Lighting Ideas
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The beauty of these classic pendant lights is not to be overstated. There is nothing particularly unique about their design, but the warm and cozy glow they cast over this navy blue kitchen island is extremely inviting. With black tubing and gold pendant holders, they could work with any type of cabinet hardware. If you look closely you’ll see that the designer of this kitchen used gold and brushed nickel hardware to adorn their wall cabinets and kitchen island, proving the versatility of the lights themselves.
14 of Brass Fixtures Paired With Warm Wooden Elements
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As depicted previously, brass faucets, hardware, and light fixtures are making a strong entrance into interior design. This bright white kitchen with stainless steel appliances ventured into this trend by incorporating two hanging brass lantern pendants above a barn-style island. They intended to match to sconces that hang above the sink. You’ll notice that the brassy tones pull out the warmth in the exposed ceiling beams, rustic bar stools, and floating shelves that surround the kitchen, making you wonder which element was selected first; the lights or the decorative pieces.
15 of White Kitchen With Wood Vent Hood
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Two white chandeliers housing candlelight fixtures loom over pristine patterned quartz countertops. A gorgeous wood hood vent is installed over the stove, echoing the other rustic notes displayed around the kitchen. A polished brass sink handle adds a touch of glamor to this otherwise simple kitchen.
16 of Bohemian and Coastal-themed Lighting
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Whether you want to venture into Bohemian or coastal style, these wicker pendant lights are a great addition to either theme. The bell-like shades look so organic against bright cabinets and colorful chairs. The designer here selected pink fabric chairs with white legs to sit at a low kitchen bar, but light blue could easily vibe for a more coastal theme.
17 of Two-tone Kitchen Light Fixtures
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Above a swirly granite island are two low-hanging pendant lights made with two tones of metal. They are in a lantern style, and the canopy and tubing are made in bronze, while the frame surrounding the lightbulb is a matte gray. Surrounding them is recessed lighting, a subtle way to ensure the kitchen gets enough light while still leveling up the space with statement fixtures.
18 of Kitchen Lighting Ideas With Gold Rim Pendants
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Pendant lights ooze sophistication, and the more translucent the cover for them, the brighter the glow that they’ll cast over the kitchen. Above this large island are three clear glass pendant lights with brushed gold rims. Coordinating the metal color on the light fixtures with the faucet and cabinet hardware creates a look that is proper and organized.
19 of Row of Lamp Sconces Kitchen Lighting Ideas
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Not every kitchen island requires an over-exaggerated chandelier or pendant light to illuminate it. In a room with lots of natural light, wall sconces can provide enough light, and their minimalism is beautiful. This kitchen has a row of matte black sconces extending the exterior wall’s length. Their color has been coordinated with the exterior kitchen door in the same tone, allowing the gold faucet and drawer pulleys in bright gold to shine.
20 of Farmhouse-style Lantern Pendants
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Farmhouse lantern pendant lights have had quite the run of popularity in recent years. Their exposed candelabra-style bulbs are very elegant, while the boxy metal frame maintains a level of composure that works well in a modern kitchen. Because most of the kitchen is draped in white and silver, the gray matte frame pulls the entire look of the kitchen together.
21 of Gold Framed Lantern Pendants
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Again we see the popularity of lantern-style pendant lights in this white and blue kitchen, however, the size of these fixtures has been exaggerated to accommodate the vaulted ceilings in this open-concept kitchen and living room. These fixtures are made with a gold frame that complements the beige furniture seen around the home. When selecting pendant lights to hang in a kitchen with a vaulted ceiling, check the height to ensure you don’t purchase a piece that is either too large or too small.
22 of Retro Farmhouse Opaque Pendant Lights
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Even though the farmhouse and cottage vibes are strong in this kitchen, the patterned wallpaper on the sliding barn door wall opens up a love for retro design, and the frosted pendant lights that hang above the island solidify that admiration. The pendant fixtures reflect classic builder-grade flush mount lights that are often seen in older homes with opaque glass being their key feature. These were elevated by the gold tubing and canopy that drop them from the ceiling, creating a look that is nostalgic yet modern. Any light fixture with opaque glass can induce a similar effect.
23 of White and Gold Industrial Dome Light
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How gorgeous does this white and gold industrial dome light in front of the powdery blue powdery cabinetry? This is truly a showstopping look for the books. Even though the exterior of the light is white, the gold inside is on full display depending on your point of view. The gold hardware on the cabinets is a beautiful addition to the lighting fixture, and you can achieve a similar design in your home by selecting colorful cabinets to pair with gold, white, or silver fixtures and accent pieces.
24 of White and Gray Kitchen With Wood Accents
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Most of the lighting ideas found within this page include lights made of all metal or glass. These bell-shaped pendant lights that hang over a gray shiplap island have pendant holders made from wood extending from a chain tubing. If you look far into the dining room, you’ll see that it also has an Empire chandelier made of similar materials. Fixtures with wood tied into them are a perfect complement to a classic farmhouse-themed home.
25 of Simple Bell Lights
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Most of this kitchen is done in very soft neutrals without any overbearing designs. To keep with that theme, the light fixtures over the island are very simple bell pendants with completely transparent glass, standard Edison bulbs, and nickel chains. Nothing is outstanding about their design except their sophisticated and classic shape. These would look great in any kitchen paying tribute to Scandinavian or minimalist styles.
26 of Modern Kitchen Pendant Lights With Ribbed Glass
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Ribbed glass is so simple and elegant in downplaying the look of pendant lights while keeping a design that is fresh and interesting. The black tubing extends down to an enclosed circular-shaped shade made of glass that works impeccably well with deep blue cabinetry and a marble backsplash. If you’re searching for something more contemporary that does belong to a farmhouse theme, this is an option for you.
27 of Black Lantern Pendant Lights Above a Black Faucet
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White kitchen cabinets hang on a light grey wall above a grey countertop. Three black lantern pendant lights are installed above a black faucet. A stainless steel refrigerator is placed next to the stainless steel ovens.
28 of White and Wooden Kitchen With Archway
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This kitchen features a white kitchen island countertop contrasting with the wooden cabinets and farmhouse kitchen lighting above it. A patterned runner lies along the floor between the farmhouse sink on the island and the white oven along the wall. A lone arch doorway overlooks the kitchen.
29 of Under Cabinet Lighting
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Installing under-cabinet lighting is an easy way to make your kitchen more user-friendly. The glow that the fluorescent lights cast over the countertop is so useful when cooking late into the evening or early in the morning when sunlight is limited. There are numerous DIY methods to install them at home, or electricians can run them through a light switch depending on your method of attachment.
