Good kitchen lighting is layered for functionality as well as ambiance. From task lighting for food prep to general ambient lighting for atmosphere and accent lighting for display cabinets or wall decor, brighten your kitchen with pendant lights, sconces, under-cabinet lighting, LED lighting, table lamps, and more.
Check out these kitchen lighting ideas in a range of styles for inspiration.
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01
of 54Wall Sconces
Install a row of small sconce lights on the wall above the backsplash. Choose black lights for a modern look or to balance colorful kitchen finishes.
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02
of 54Kitchen Island Pendants
Anchor your kitchen island with pendant lighting. Hang a pair of pendants in a smaller kitchen, and scale up to three or more depending on how much space you have.
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03
of 54Statement Lighting
Design by J Hill Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Task lighting is important to ensure that you can prep food safely and keep your kitchen clean and tidy. Complement it with a statement light like this gilded vintage pendant light in an eat-in kitchen from J Hill Interiors.
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04
of 54Portable LED Lamp
Decorate your open kitchen shelving with a trending ’70s-inspired mushroom-shaped lamp that doubles as decor when not in use. If the wall isn’t wired, opt for a portable cordless LED lamp.
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05
of 54Japandi-Style Pendants
Complement a modern or Japandi kitchen with pendant lighting in an organic shape. Stagger the light fixtures to add intrigue and create a focal point over the island.
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06
of 54Kitchen Floor Lamp
Use a floor lamp to define zones in a spacious open-plan kitchen. In this contemporary Florida condo, a bright red floor lamp adds a jolt of color and an ambient light source.
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07
of 54Kitchen Island Lamp
Place a tall lamp on a large kitchen island for a homey look. Turn it on to warm up dark mornings or late evenings.
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08
of 54Candy-Colored Pendants
Design by DasMod and Handsome Salt / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Bring playfulness to a modern kitchen with colorful striped pendant lights. Pair with natural wood cabinetry, copper kitchen hardware, mint green base cabinets, and slabs of stone for a fresh feel.
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09
of 54LED Lighting
Light a small kitchen with sleek LED lighting for a contemporary feel. In this space, an under-counter LED strip casts a bright, warm glow onto the beige backsplash and countertop, while a long and linear LED light hangs over the small peninsula.
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10
of 54Contemporary Pendant Light
Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Hang a contemporary pendant light over your kitchen island to create a striking focal point. In this space, an extra-wide pendant light hangs over the island, and a deli-style, glass-front refrigerator adds another source of light that is both practical and decorative.
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11
of 54Lighted China Cabinet
Melinda Kelson O’Connor Architecture & Interiors / Photo by Wendy Concannon
Add ambient lighting to your kitchen for visual appeal. In this kitchen from Melinda Kelson O’Connor Architecture & Interiors, a lighted china cabinet creates a focal point and display for everyday items.
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12
of 54Retro Pendant Lights
Design by Tidal Interiors / Photo by Jenny Siegwart
Give a modern kitchen a hint of retro style with 1950s-inspired pendant lighting. The sculptural shape will anchor a kitchen island for a homey feel.
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13
of 54Shelf Lamps
Task lighting is vital in a kitchen, but so is ambiance. Create a cozy feel by outfitting open shelving with a couple of small lamps, like this DIY coffee bar.
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14
of 54Woven Pendant Light
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Alexandra Ribar
One trick to creating a cozy eat-in kitchen dining space is to hang your pendant light low so that it hovers just above eye level of the tallest person in your home. This will make the space feel grounded and flood the table with soft light during evening meals.
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15
of 54Crystal Chandelier
Hang a large crystal chandelier in the middle of a spacious kitchen for a glamorous look. The light fixture adds luminosity and sparkle when lit, but the crystals catch and bounce around light even when it isn’t turned on.
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16
of 54Cluster Lights
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
Hang a cluster of exposed bulb light pendants instead of builder-grade can lights. This idea can be scaled up or down depending on the size of your kitchen, and can be more cost-effective than purchasing a large single light fixture.
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17
of 54Decorative Modern Pendants
Treat your lighting like jewelry to give your kitchen a decorative look. A striking pair of pendants over a large kitchen island look like a pair of oversized earrings.
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18
of 54Boho-Style Kitchen Lighting
Hang a pair of pendants made from natural materials such as wicker, rattan, jute, or straw for a boho-style kitchen feel. Combine with neutral finishes and light woods for a Mediterranean-inspired look.
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19
of 54Pulley Pendant Lights
Layering lighting options from candlelight to task lighting is a winning strategy if you want your kitchen to feel like a home, not a laboratory. Layer an adjustable height pulley pendant light with a vintage look and taper candles for a timeless feel.
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20
of 54Peninsula Lights
Lighting can be used to focus the eye and define space where you want it, which sometimes means a side wall rather than the main wall in an open-plan kitchen. Contemporary black pendant lights with gilded undersides define the peninsula in this NYC kitchen from JLA Designs.
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21
of 54White Globe Sconce
Hang a globe sconce to complement any style kitchen. Choose a white opaque glass finish that will offer plenty of illumination while diffusing light for a softer and more uniform effect than clear glass.
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22
of 54Built-In Light Column
Lighten up a wall of floor-to-ceiling cabinetry with backlit storage. In this modern kitchen from Fantastic Frank, a backlit column of glass-front cabinetry houses stemware for a crowd and has a decorative effect that adds dimension to the wall of built-ins.
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23
of 54Kitchen Island Lighting
Design by Forge & Bow Dwellings / Arris Photography
Modernize your kitchen with a large pendant light with an industrial feel and visible cords. This warm, minimalist kitchen from Forge & Bow Dwellings has a multi-directional pendant light that hangs over the kitchen island.
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of 54Small Island Pendant Light
Anchor a small kitchen island with a single pendant light. Choose an organic modern design for a sculptural look that isn’t too heavy.
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of 54Polished Brass Pendants
Design by Mendelson Group / Photo by Eric Piasecki
Hang matching pendants over double islands in a large kitchen for a cohesive look. This beige kitchen from Mendelson Group is outfitted with polished brass pendants that warm up the space.
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26
of 54Midcentury Modern Pendant
Infuse your kitchen with midcentury modern style by decorating it with a Danish modern pendant light. Complement the iconic lighting with a George Nelson wall clock and molded Eames Eiffel chairs to lend the room some timeless style.
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27
of 54Tube Lighting
Maydan Architects / Photo by Peter Kubilis
Install minimalist tube lighting to give a one-wall apartment kitchen a sleek feel. The under-cabinet lighting is strong enough to provide ample task lighting for food prep and adds dimension to the wall of built-ins day or night.
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of 54Rattan Pendants
Create visual separation in an open-plan apartment kitchen and living room by hanging a pair of pendants over the peninsula. Choose a natural material or a gold-tone metal to add warmth to an all-white space.
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29
of 54Exposed Bulb Lights
Combine recessed ceiling lights with single bulb pendants to add balanced light to an industrial-style kitchen. Black fixtures complement the gray-and-white space for a contemporary feel.
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30
of 54Plug-In Sconce
If you’re a renter or don’t want to spend the money or time to hardwire a lighting fixture into the wall of your small kitchen, choose a plug-in sconce. This is an easy and budget-friendly way to make a statement that you can take with you when you move.
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of 54Picture Light
Highlight kitchen wall decor or art with a picture light. This is the kind of detail that works well in both traditional and contemporary kitchens.
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32
of 54Gooseneck Sconce
Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Jeanne Canto
Mount pair of gooseneck sconces over the window sink for a vintage accent. The black sconces contrast with the pale neutral patterned tile and wood and woven accents in this light and bright kitchen.
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33
of 54Range Hood Lighting
Design by Forge & Bow Dwellings / Christa Tippmann Photography
Choose a range hood with built-in lighting that will ensure your cooktop is well-lit. Combine with can lights, pendant lights, and ceiling-mounted sconces to ensure that every corner of your kitchen is illuminated.
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34
of 54Flush Mount Ceiling Light
If you live in an apartment with a compact galley-style kitchen that’s outfitted with an uninspiring ceiling light, give it an upgrade to turn it into more of a feature by changing out the fixture. Just be sure to hold onto the old one so your security deposit doesn’t get dinged when you move out.
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of 54Sconces and Pendants
Pair pendant lights and sconces of different designs to create a dynamic feel in your kitchen. In this space, sparkling new fixtures and fittings add contrast with rustic original exposed wood ceilings.
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of 54Industrial Pendants
Caroline Andreoni Interior Design Studio / Photo by Sophie Lloyd
Choose black pendant lighting to complement industrial, farmhouse, or modern kitchens. Caroline Andréoni Interior Design Studio hung small industrial lights in a graphic layout that highlights rather than hides the cords for a chic look.
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37
of 54Beaded Chandelier
Add some French country charm to a modern white kitchen with wooden cross-back bar stools and a beaded chandelier. Sconce lights placed high on the wall above each window draw the eye up and are balanced by ceiling-height cabinetry on the adjacent wall.
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38
of 54Oversized Pendant Light
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Erin Kelly
Create drama by hanging an oversized pendant light over the central island. In this converted sunroom kitchen from Leanne Ford Interiors, a white fixture blends into the room while creating an impression.
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39
of 54Dome Light With Gilding
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Alexandra Ribar
Choose a pendant light with a gilded interior to create a soft glow. A dome-shaped pendant light adds subtle luster to this home from Leanne Ford Interiors that features original architectural features like leaded glass windows and a kitchen fireplace.
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40
of 54Mismatched Pendant Lights
Define island bar seating and an adjacent breakfast nook or dining table with mismatched pendant lights. Choose a similar material or finish like black or gold-toned metal to give each space its own flavor while maintaining cohesion.
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of 54Metal and Glass Pendant
Complement a wall of black metal windows with a matching pendant light for a coordinated look. Marie Flanigan Interiors hung a long and linear pendant that echoes the windows in this transitional eat-in kitchen.
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42
of 54Kitchen Skylights
The best light is natural light. If you have a kitchen skylight or roof window, consider installing an automatic shade that can be adjusted according to the weather.
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43
of 54Trio of Pendants
Design by Marie Flanigan Interiors / Photo by Julie Soefer
Give a kitchen with extra-tall ceilings a more grounded feel with oversized pendant lighting. The volume of the lighting fixtures helps to make the room feel cozier.
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44
of 54Neon Light Fixture
Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Caitlin Mogridge
Once you’ve got your general and task lighting installed, don’t forget that there is always a place for purely decorative lighting in the kitchen. This London kitchen from Emilie Fournet Interiors features a white neon lightning bolt mounted on the reclaimed wood range hood that creates a whimsical focal point.
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45
of 54Vintage-Style Pendants
Hang vintage-style pendant lights to add character to an all-white farmhouse kitchen. Source originals at flea markets or budget-friendly reproductions online.
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46
of 54Copper Wire Pendants
Match your kitchen island pendants to your bar stools for a coordinated look. Michelle Berwick Design chose to accent this black-and-white kitchen with copper tones that add palpable warmth to the space.
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47
of 54Black Metal Lighting
Highlight vaulted kitchen ceilings with classic metal pendant lights. Black metal lights complement the windows in this converted carriage house kitchens for a modern but timeless look.
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48
of 54Clear Glass Pendant
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
Hang a clear glass pendant over the kitchen sink that won’t block natural light when the sun is out. In this bright white, compact U-shaped kitchen from Leanne Ford Interiors, a glass bulb pendant light virtually disappears when natural light is flooding in.
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49
of 54Black and Gold Pendants
Rashida Banks for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Keyanna Bowen
Dress up an all-white kitchen with black and gold pendant lights. Complement with black metal bar stools and lean a painting in a gilded frame on the kitchen counter for a decorative look.
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of 54Black Wire Pendant Lights
Maintain a light and airy feel in a large kitchen with matching wire pendants. Michelle Berwick Design used black wire pendants to help structure the double islands in this large modern kitchen.
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51
of 54Colorful Bulb Light Cords
Add a hint of color in a minimalist space with lighting. In this pale pink and gray Scandinavian kitchen from Fantastic Frank, a couple of E27 lights from Muuto have a pink silicone cord for a subtle brightening effect.
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52
of 54Painted Lantern
Infuse your kitchen with modern farmhouse style with hanging lanterns. A painted white lantern-style pendant complements brick tile flooring, white Shaker cabinets, and dark wood countertops in this walk-in butler’s pantry.
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53
of 54Industrial Lighting
Design by Leanne Ford Interiors / Photo by Reid Rolls
Complement exposed pipes and original windows in a converted industrial loft kitchen with black pendant lighting. The black fixtures play well against concrete finishes for a graphic look.
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of 54Antique Light Fixture
Design by Joshua Smith Inc. / Photo by Allyson Lubow
Give your kitchen a cozy and timeless feel with an antique or reproduction light fixture. Elements like fluted glass and black metal combined will add charm to a modern or farmhouse space.