If you’re planning to replace the lighting over your existing kitchen island or are designing a cooking space from scratch, the fixture style is the first thing you want to consider, but that’s not it. There’s size, placement, and actually a lot to keep in mind. The 18 kitchen island lighting ideas below will prove that there are hundreds of fixture choices for every home—and every design style, so there’s nothing to be stressed about 🤍
Go Classic with Pendant Lights
A timeless favorite, found in every other home, luxury or minimal. Unassuming yet sophisticated, pendant lights have every reason to be a go-to choice.
The fixture design is completely up to you. Transparent pendants, for example, work great for kitchens where space is limiting. For a more rustic-inspired look, lantern-style pendants with a distressed finish look just perfect.
Some Things to Chew Over: No, there is no rule to always hang pendants in sets of three. Yes, you can vary the height and size based on the ceiling-island difference.
Use Downlights to Tone-Down
While pendants draw focus to a particular feature, you might prefer the sleek look of downlights. Make sure to consider the ceiling height before choosing, though. Downlights offer a ton of different beam angles; the right beam for your kitchen will keep the light focused on the island surface. Here’s a quick pointer to keep in mind…
- Low ceiling height. Wide beam angle. Spread at 90 to 120 degrees.
- High ceiling height. Narrow beam angle. Kept at 40 to 60 degrees.
The CRI is equally important. For downlights, a CRI of 90 (or above) is ideal.
Keep Things Sleek with a Ceiling Fan
Think of this as a 2-in-1 kitchen island lighting idea, where a bulb on the ceiling fan blends functionality into style. Apart from the additional cooling factor, its sleek three-blade design washed in a high-end finish keeps the interior looking glamorous even when not in use.
Install Semi-Flush Mount Orbs
A pair of semi-flush-mount fixtures beautify the ceiling—while also adding a spherical feature to a kitchen otherwise dominated by straight lines. Look for a design with a white milk glass to add a new material to the mix, and a brass covering that picks up the warm tones from the wood flooring. The aim is to tie together each element of the room.
Hang a Single Large Fixture
Instead of multiple lights, opt for one large statement fixture over the island, like this crystal chandelier. The sparkling white crystal pieces tie into the light-hued marble flooring and backsplash, and the brass body beautifully complements the textured wood cabinetry.
Opt for a Gold Body
An opportunity to introduce warmth to a vibrant kitchen. Gold fixtures pair incredibly well with gold hardware & faucets. Opt for island stools made of a gold back, or gold legs. Even the slightest touch of gold adds so much luxury; imagine what such a bold gold kitchen island lighting idea would do 😉
Try Ornate Chandeliers
Source: Maria Killam
Big kitchen? Big lighting. Enter: Ornate Chandeliers. Go classic with minimal choices. Or, go all in with an option that makes the entire kitchen sparkle. The key is to connect your personal preferences to the design style of the kitchen to find a middle ground.
As a prominent, eye-catchy feature, chandeliers can also be seen as an opportunity to introduce something completely new, both in terms of finish and color, without overwhelming the space. Think a bold black iron chandelier in an all-white marble kitchen. A combo that’s never a fail!
Keep it Minimal
Big is not always better. In fact, unobstructive pendants are a great choice if you do not want to overwhelm the design, especially if there’s a dining table nearby with a statement fixture hanging above; you wouldn’t want island lighting and dining fixture to clash.
Introduce a Natural Weave
Nothing like the organic feel of a handwoven, high-end pendant light. Ties the interior to nature, and allows users to enjoy a relaxed ambiance in the most high-traffic room of the house. It’s a chance to showcase your personality through a personalized design; you really wouldn’t want to miss out.
Add Color Contrast…
Kitchen island lighting ideas can be more than functional. Here, the matte black pendant lights add contrast to the color-drenched green kitchen. The bar stools and window frame are also painted black to create a well-rounded color scheme for this modern-farmhouse kitchen, with the wooden elements adding a bit of warmth.
…or Go for Color Drenching
Go bold, and opt for kitchen island fixtures in the same hue as the rest of the room. A decision that takes guts, but looks absolutely stunning. Break the monotony with a bit of wooden features sprinkled around, like the wood bar stools, floating shelves, and island countertop here.
Experiment with Farmhouse Lighting
A fresh take on farmhouse kitchens. Different shades of white are combined together with a built-in lantern-style light fixture to make an all-white kitchen look unique—and interesting. Effortless. Functional. And undeniably stylish.
Imitate Raindrops
Perfect for minimalist-lovers. The quirky pendant design overcomes the fear of “making it too boring.” Yet, maintains a clean vibe; sleek enough to even accomodate another chandelier over the mini dining area beside the island. Together, the raindrop island lights and the tree-inspired chandelier root the kitchen design into a natural, biophilic interior.
Commission a Bespoke Fixture
If you have determined how much light a kitchen needs (and nailed its functionality), why not elevate the island with a bespoke fixture, just like a piece of art. Careful to choose the best piece possible—it’s a perfect shot to showcase your personality in an otherwise utilitarian space.
Opt for a Striking Silhouette
Sometimes less really is more, and the lovely silhouette of these slim LED lights just prove that. The grey oat kitchen cabinetry is the perfect backdrop to modern kitchen island lighting ideas, like these tubular pendants. The height is changeable, so you can quickly adjust things however required.
Follow an L-shaped Line
It’s definitely not the easiest to light up an L-shaped kitchen island, but if you get it right, you might never want to leave the kitchen 😆 It really looks that beautiful.
You will particularly love the idea if your light fixtures aren’t the fanciest, or most appealing. Arranging them in a unique, L-shaped configuration allows them to stand as the statement of the room, even if they’re not something that would catch the eye at the first glimpse.
Don’t Forget Under-Cabinet Lighting
Whatever the choice for the lighting over the island, under-cabient lighting stays as important. It sets the mood, and adds a luxurious touch like none other. There are a couple of options on the market; you can choose what complements the rest of the lighting scheme best from these ideas…
- LED strip lights
- Puck lights
- Linear bar lights
- Recessed LED lights
- Battery-operated stick-on lights
- Smart under-cabinet lighting
Light up the Rainbow
Source: Niche Modern
The latest trend in kitchen island lighting ideas is introducing color. There’s always a group of us who want an all-white kitchen, but not one that looks boring. Vibrant kitchen island lighting is the solution. As in this kitchen, the rest of the decor, including the cabinetry & flooring, is kept toned down, with a bit of excitement added through the jewel-toned pendant lights.