45 Chic Kitchen Lighting Ideas That Aren't Boring
Time to replace the lighting you tolerate with lighting you love.
Every item on this page was hand-picked by a House Beautiful editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
For a lot of us, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. Maybe it's where your family gathers in the morning to eat a quick meal before heading off for the day or it's where you've perfected your grandmother's holiday ham recipe. Either way, your kitchen is basically your home's life force, so it should be a room you absolutely adore. A big part of making this room perfect in your eyes is choosing the right lighting. Kitchens are spaces that require good ambient lighting and task lighting—and sometimes those don't come in the prettiest of packages. (If you've ever had a boob light, you know what we mean.) That's why we've found some creative kitchen lighting ideas that'll inspire you to replace your current situation with something so much better.
As with with any home design decision, there are a lot of factors to consider before you commit. Will the light match your overall aesthetic, whether it's modern farmhouse to maximalist? You have to keep all the other details, like your backsplash, hardware finish, and cabinetry, in mind when choosing a new kitchen light too. Browse the ideas below, and you'll find great options based on color, finish, pattern, and even the location of your home.
Whether you're looking to be told exactly what to buy or simply want general inspiration, these designer-approved kitchen lighting ideas will get you on the right track (though not with track lighting).
Embrace Your Home's Location
If you'd call your home a beach house, lean into the theme and choose pendant lights that are ever so slightly nautical. In this kitchen by Joe Lucas of Lucas Studio, gorgeous vintage copper pendants low-key reference the location while brightening up his sister's beachfront New Jersey property.
Quadruple Your Lighting
Sometimes you need more than one pair of lights in your kitchen—you need two. The gold ombré pendants and dark sconces in this midcentury modern Texas home by Ashley Maddox and Hilary Walker are an unexpected combination that puts task lighting over the countertop workspaces where it's needed.
Take Inspo From Outside
The outdoorsy look can work on the inside too. Such is the case with the custom lantern in this Lake Michigan getaway. Interiors designer Frank Ponterio wanted to ensure there was plenty of lighting for prepping meals at the island, so he had it made with hidden task lighting in the base that shines down.
Replicate Hanging Fruit
To play up this home’s period features, Francesca Grace gave the interior a colorful refresh with a sculptural light fixture, bold wallpaper, and vintage furniture and accessories. The hanging fruit basket is a fun touch that reflects the chandelier's bountiful shapes.
Join the Monochrome Scheme
Dramatic and mysterious, this kitchen 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.
Try a Table Lamp
Whether you need more light in your kitchen, can't put a light fixture in the wall or ceiling, or are in need of a new location for your favorite lamp, this New York City kitchen by Celerie Kemble shows how to make a bright statement. The metallic finish of the lamp base adds another layer of brightness to the space.
Rival the Sun
The designers at Nickey Kehoe chose a cream and pale yellow color scheme to complement the warmth of the wood counters and terra-cotta floor tiles in this small pool house kitchen. To maintain the cheery atmosphere, the pendant lights resemble the sunrise. Your morning swims just got brighter and more soothing.
Brighten Up a Farmhouse
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.
Embrace the Quirks
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 mural by Michael Duté complements the elaborate chandelier. It's a bold touch that gets the job done.
Exaggerate the Shape
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.
Add Luster
Made of seashell discs attached to a brass-plated metal frame and hung from a black fabric cord, the Verpan pendants in this kitchen by Nicole Dohmen bring just the right amount of glamour to the earth-toned space.
Bring in Earth Tones
In a kitchen by Intimate Living Interiors, a trio of cone-shaped pendants with a shiny gold interior livens up the room's neutral palette. A single pendant over the sink and a sconce over the open shelving complement the larger lights.
Try Dainty Additions
For a charming, inviting atmosphere, consider putting dainty pendants over your kitchen sink and counter. Here, Lauren Lothrop Caron used pendants with a small disc shape and thin chain.
Set the Mood
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 by The Pankonien Group contrasts nicely with the white wall and echoes the range and countertop.
Give Traditional a Modern Twist
Or take the classic concept of a candle chandelier, and upgrade it by choosing an electric version in gleaming brass. The one in this kitchen by Shavonda Gardner adds a touch of glam to the charming wallpaper and rustic table.
Turn to Pleated Lampshades
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.
Hang Large Pendants High
In this kitchen by BANDD/DESIGN, large pendants are mounted high so as to not overwhelm the island underneath. The unique shape adds character, and the translucent glass ensures the kitchen still feels airy.
Make It Modern
Modern design is all about clean lines and simplicity, making sleek globe lights an excellent choice for both pendants and sconces in a kitchen. This setup by Regan Baker is solid proof.
Mix Shapes
Instead of going with clear globe pendants or large cone ones, try an option that combines the two shapes. In this kitchen by Jaqui Seerman, the lights bring charming detail to the warm space.
Opt for Opaline
To bounce the light around in this kitchen, Kristin Fine used a glossy trifecta of zellige tile on the walls, calacatta vagli marble on the counters, and vintage opaline pendants from 1stDibs.
30 Creative Ways To Light Up Your Bedroom
7 Lighting Mistakes You're Making
This DIY Sputnik Chandelier Made from Microphones Is the Coolest Light Fixture Ever
The Best Lighting For Every Room