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The right kitchen lighting ideas could be the ingredient your space is missing. Contrary to popular belief, a kitchen makeover can be a low-lift project if you commit to changing one feature at a time, and lighting is an excellent place to start since it can completely change how your kitchen looks and feels. The right lighting is key to entertaining there, never mind cooking and cleaning without any major snafus. You want it to feel warm and inviting, and you don't want it to be so dim that you miss spots on the counters—or so bright that you opt to leave the lights off altogether. If that's what you're dealing with, you'll love what we're about to show you. Mid Century LED Chandelier
Like any other room in your house, your kitchen needs a balance of overhead, task, and accent lighting. The stunning light fixture ideas ahead cover these three categories in practically every size kitchen. We found inspiring kitchen light ideas ranging from elaborate chandeliers to pendants in shapes we'd never seen before. Some of these kitchens have so many windows that they're bright and airy during the day but need a small pendant at night to glow; others are galley kitchens with fixtures that serve as their main source of light and personality.
Read on for kitchen lighting ideas you can take straight to your interior designer or buy and install yourself (so long as you've got some experience with electrical wirings). If you can't afford to plan a full renovation right now, don't worry. You're one light bulb away from seeing your kitchen in a new light.
To play up this home’s period features, Francesca Grace gave the interior a colorful refresh with sculptural light fixtures, bold wallpaper, vintage furniture, and accessories. The hanging fruit basket is a fun touch that reflects the light fixture's bountiful shapes.
Dramatic and mysterious, this kitchen designed by Eric Olsen is a serious showstopper. The light fixture was designed by Olsen for Buzzell Studios and fits in with the navy blue, dark gray, and cobalt blue color story. The berry-shaded fluted lights line up to bring harmony and depth to the space.
Whether you need more light in your kitchen, can't install a light fixture, or are in need of a new location for your favorite lamp, this New York City kitchen designed by Celerie Kemble shows you how to make a bright statement. The metallic finish of the lamp base adds another layer of brightness.
The designers at Nickey Kehoe chose a cream and pale yellow color scheme to complement the warmth of the wood counters and terracotta floor tiles in this small pool house kitchen. To keep the cheery atmosphere, the pendant lights resemble the sunrise. Your morning swims just got brighter and more soothing.
Leanne Ford gave this rustic kitchen a revamp that balances the old and the new. Combined with thrifted finds and a crisp white hue, the new hardware and lighting look cohesive. The charming opal glass shade is the perfect farmhouse accent.
If you think you've just landed in the pages of a fairy tale, we couldn't agree more! This kitchen is unique yet timeless, glamorous yet welcoming. The lavender and blue paisley paint complement the elaborate blue chandelier. It's a bold touch that gets the job done.
After you're finished picking your jaw up from the ground, this eye-catching pendant will make washing dishes feel like a work of art. In this Parisian apartment by Studio Razavi, the dramatically large, undulating pendant opens everything up in one sweep. The windows fill the room with light as the pendant casts cool shadows all day long.
Made of seashell discs attached to a brass-plated metal frame and hung from a black fabric cord, the Verpan pendant lights in this kitchen by designer Nicole Dohmen bring just the right amount of glamour to the earth-toned space.
In a kitchen designed by Intimate Living Interiors, a trio of cone-shaped pendant lights with a sage green exterior and shiny gold interior livens up the room's neutral palette. A single pendant over the sink and a sconce over open shelving complement the larger lights.
For a charming, inviting atmosphere, consider adding dainty pendant lights above your kitchen sink and counter. Here, designer Lauren Lothrop Caron used pendants featuring a small, almost-disc shape and a thin chain.
If you adore the look and glow of candlesticks, bring them into your kitchen in a more safety-first way with a faux sconce version. The black option in this kitchen designed by The Pankonien Group adds a nice contrast to the white wall, white range, and white marble backsplash.
Or take the traditional concept of a candle chandelier, and give it a modern upgrade with an electric brass version. The one in this kitchen by designer Shavonda Gardner adds a touch of glam to the charming wallpaper and rustic table.
A pleated lampshade is timeless, so why not extend the look from a table lamp to your kitchen pendants? In this kitchen by Lauren Nelson Design, the beige pendants add the perfect amount of texture and make the dining table feel extra cozy.
In a kitchen by BANDD/DESIGN, large pendants are hung high so as to not overwhelm the island beneath it. The unique shape adds character, and the translucent glass ensures the kitchen retains an airy atmosphere.
Modern design is all about clean lines and simplicity, making sleek globe lights an excellent choice for both pendant lighting and sconces in the kitchen. This setup by designer Regan Baker is solid proof.
Instead of going with clear globe pendants or large cone ones, try an option that mixes the two shapes. In this kitchen by designer Jaqui Seerman, the lights offer charming detail to the warm space.
To bounce the light around in this kitchen, designer Kristin Fine used a glossy trifecta of zellige tile on the walls, Calacatta Vagli on the counters, and vintage opaline pendants sourced on 1stDibs.
The black pendants in this kitchen by Amber Interiors feature a white interior and gray accent, making it bold but not overpowering.
If you're using shades, consider highlighting a neutral option with a black frame. In this kitchen, Simo Design hung three pendants that stretch across both the island and dining table.
Not only does a light fixture with cut-outs add cool texture to your kitchen, but it also looks insanely cool when you turn it on.
See more at Nicole Franzen.
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