Gone are the days of kitchens with fluorescent soffit lighting or one giant kitchen light in the middle of the ceiling. These days there are many ways, and types of lighting to both modernize and beautify your kitchen. Simple changes in lighting can make a huge impact on the look and functionality of your kitchen. You can even layer the lighting with a combination of pendants, task lighting, and under the counter lights.

From list-making to homework to actual cooking, the kitchen is a hub of activity in your home. The proper lighting mix will make sure it can live up to all of those uses. These modern kitchen lighting ideas can elevate your kitchen design.

Dutchess 15 Inch Mini Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting

Recessed Lighting for Your Kitchen

Let’s begin with a quick discussion about recessed lighting for the kitchen. These are the almost ubiquitous lights set into the kitchen ceiling. Adding recessed lighting can give your kitchen more ambient lighting, making it an inviting space to work and gather in. Laid out in a regular pattern in your space, they work well with a pendant light, such as the Dutchess 15 Inch Mini Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting, that emits diffused light and adds warmth.

Chandeliers to Light Your kitchen

Chandeliers are turning up everywhere these days, and kitchens are no exception. Kitchen lighting has traditionally been designed to be utilitarian, but it can also be beautiful and enhance the room’s design. Chandeliers tend to be the center of attention in any space, and for good reason. Chandeliers for the kitchen create a strong visual focal point and can balance the look of the kitchen.

Euclid 20 Inch 3 Light Chandelier by Hinkley Lighting

In an open-concept kitchen, the Euclid 20 Inch 3 Light Chandelier by Hinkley Lighting brings a timeless, unique, trend-defying look to the space. It blends traditional warmth with contemporary flair. It also gives a playful, casual feel to the room.

Under-Cabinet Lighting for Your Kitchen

Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to add extra task lighting in the kitchen. They illuminate your counters with extra light so you can see what you’re doing while cooking. In addition, this lighting will add depth to your kitchen design. When all the lights are on, the kitchen will look dramatically different than it does in the daytime.

Chute Calypso 56 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting and Under Cabinet Lighting

The Chute Calypso 56 Inch LED Linear Suspension Light by Kuzco Lighting combined with under-cabinet lighting creates a clean, modern look in this kitchen. The geometric design is simple and stunning. The under-cabinet lighting enhances the minimalist style while layering light into the space.

Pendant Lighting for Your Kitchen

Pendant lighting is great for kitchen islands, but can also be used over a peninsula or base where you don’t have cabinets overhead. These lights hang down from the ceiling on a chain or rod, like the pendant on a necklace, hence the name pendant lights.

They are great for islands or peninsulas because they bring light down from the ceiling, right where you need it in your work area without getting in your way. Depending on the size of your space, you can use two or three pendant lights. At the same time, they can be used to bring general lighting to the kitchen.

Nash 10 Inch Mini Pendant by Hinkley Lighting

The fresh and welcoming Nash 10 Inch Mini Pendant by Hinkley Lighting merges functional and sculptural features to bring organic warmth to the kitchen. These mini pendants bring a casual feel that make any kitchen island the perfect gathering place for family and friends.

Atlas 13 Inch Large Pendant by Hubbardton Forge

For a more industrial yet modern feel in a larger space, these four Atlas 13 Inch Large Pendants by Hubbardton Forge establish a dramatic look with their dark smoke finish and opaline glass shades. Because the opaline glass is hand-blown, each shade will contain natural differences from piece to piece, making each one unique while creating a unifying whole in the space.

As a general rule, when installing a set of two pendant lights over a kitchen island, they should be at a minimum of 30 inches from the center of the island. There should be about 30-32 inches between the bottom of the pendant and the island’s countertop. A set of three pendant lights should have the same distance between the bottom of the light and the countertop, be evenly spaced along the length of the island, and end at least six inches from the edge on each side.

If you are ready to elevate your kitchen lighting, stop by a Capitol Lighting showroom near you to see our entire collection of kitchen lights. Or schedule a virtual appointment with a certified lighting specialist.