Try These Kitchen Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Space (2024)

The kitchen is considered the "heart of the home" for a reason — it's the central gathering place for family and friends, plus it's where you spend hours preparing and enjoying your favorite meals. Not only can lighting completely transform a kitchen design, but choosing the right fixtures make food prep, cooking and cleaning much easier. Whether you've got a small kitchen setup or spacious open-concept layout, we've rounded up kitchen lighting ideas for every home size and style.

From ornamental pendants to unobtrusive track lighting, the options for kitchen light fixtures are endless. Think striking chandeliers over the kitchen island, sleek wall sconces above shelving and retro-inspired flush mounts (a great option for low ceilings). No matter if your style is modern, country, industrial or minimal, we've found lighting ideas that will add personality to your space. And don't be afraid to let lighting be your focal point — especially with fixtures over the kitchen island.

As with any interior, it's important to layer lighting in the kitchen — which means using multiple light fixtures to ensure a balanced, well-lit room. Use ambient lighting, like chandeliers or flush mounts, as the kitchen's primary light source. Employ task lighting like LED strips under uppers cabinets to illuminate your cooking space. Next, incorporate accent lights, like picture lights or wall sconces. Don't worry: If you're not sure where to start, steal inspiration from these stylish kitchens that prioritize proper lighting.

Although flat to the ceiling, these shiny silver fixtures draw attention, while adding a subtle retro style to this kitchen layout. Here, Daniel House Co. goes for a chrome faucet and stainless steel appliances to tie the space together.

Install a classic sconce onto the side of your cabinet to help illuminate your prep station — ideal for washing dishes or cooking in the evening. Designer Caroline Kopp goes for a white shade, which blends seamlessly with the cabinet color.

With a dramatic black chandelier, design and build firm Forge & Bow allows lighting to act as the centerpiece of this modern kitchen.

Bring in soothing shades of color — like light green — in the form of lantern pendants and seat cushions, just as Marian Louise Design does in this otherwise neutral kitchen.

To guarantee a well-lit interior, it's best to layer your lighting sources. Think pendants over the kitchen island and sconces on the walls above cabinets. Take note from Cedar & Oak and don't fear mixing metals, too.