This post is all about the best lighting over kitchen island ideas!
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Are you trying to find the perfect lighting for your kitchen island? Finding a mix between the style you want to achieve and the type of lighting you need can be challenging!
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a kitchen and can often be overlooked. When choosing what lighting you want over your kitchen island you must consider several factors. Things like the type of lighting, the style, design, and the lighting requirements for daily tasks.
Lighting fixtures offer different types of light based on the shape and materials used. Some provide ambient light, while others are great for task lighting. Considering your needs will ensure you are satisfied with your final decision and save you money, time, and headaches.
Lighting Over Kitchen Island
Pendant Lighting Over Kitchen Island
Pendant lighting is a great option to consider for your kitchen island. Pendant lights come in various styles, sizes, and designs that can enhance the look and feel of your kitchen.
Lighting is important in all areas of your home, but particularly in the kitchen where a direct and plentiful light source is required for daily tasks. Since pendant lights are generally smaller than chandeliers you can place multiple pendant lights over a kitchen island. This will give the island a direct and bright light source when preparing meals. Although pendant lighting is excellent at providing your island with ample lighting, your kitchen requires other sources of light to fully illuminate it.
When it comes to installing your pendant light be sure to consider the following guidelines;
- Pendant lighting should be placed 30″ – 36″ above the island’s surface. This can vary depending on personal height, ceiling height, and the look you are trying to achieve.
- One or multiple pendant lights can be used over the island’s surface, but ensure that the outer edge of the light is a minimum of 6″ from the end of the island.
- As a general rule of thumb space each light 30″ – 32″ apart, depending on the island length, the number of lights used, and the diameter of each light.
- Choose pendant lighting size based on the area that you are working with. For example, a large island and tall ceilings require larger-sized fixtures than a small island or short ceilings.
Pendant Lighting Styles And Placements
This beautiful kitchen features two dome-shaped pendant lights that have the following features:
- Provides an excellent source of task lighting and ample illumination to the surface area of the island.
- Are spaced equally from the outer edge of the island’s surface with a direct line of sight down the middle.
- The design of the light complements contemporary and modern style homes.
SHOP THE LOOK
This gorgeous glam kitchen features three cylinder style pendant lights that have the following features:
- The minimal diameter of each lighting fixture makes it a great choice for a smaller island.
- The cylinder shape of each light provides some direct lighting for tasks, but with a smaller surface area than say a larger dome-shaped light.
- The crystal material disperses light in various directions creating ambiant light and casting a soft glow.
- The overall design of this look would complement a luxurious style home.
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Two metal cone-shaped pendant lights create a focal point in this stunning farmhouse-style kitchen and have the following features:
- The metal material of the light provides direct task lighting aimed at the surface below.
- Each light is spaced evenly from the sink and edge of the island.
- The metal design of the light would complement farmhouse, industrial, and mid-century style homes.
SHOP THE LOOK
This bright and light kitchen has three glass globe pendant lights that have the following features:
- Since the light is enclosed in the globe they offer a soft ambient type of light.
- All three lights are centered to the middle of the island, evenly spaced, and are around 6″ to 12″ from the edge.
- This design can work well with many different home styles, but suit contemporary spaces nicely.
SHOP THE LOOK
Another example of two cone-shaped pendant lights that have the following features:
- The light shade is enclosed by fabric which provides a soft diffused light, while the cone shape aims the light directly below for task lighting.
- This space had to account for the size of the island but also the ceiling beams. Therefore the left light overhangs the edge of the island but goes unnoticed due to the console table placed beside the island.
- This design could work in many homes but would best suit a farmhouse or contemporary style.
SHOP THE LOOK
Three globe-style pendant lights make a statement in this kitchen and have the following features:
- The frosted glass disperses light and creates a soft gentle, glow rather than a bright and harsh light.
- Since the light is softer using three pendants assists in lighting the entire surface of the island.
- The design complements modern, industrial, and mid-century style homes.
SHOP THE LOOK
Chandelier Lighting Over Kitchen Island
Chandeliers are another great option to light up your kitchen island. If you are looking for slightly more extravagant lighting or providing ambient light rather than task light, chandeliers would work well in your space.
Many of the installation tips are similar to hanging a pendant light over your island, the differences lie in the size of the chandelier and the placement. Consider these guidelines when installing a chandelier:
- Chandeliers should be placed 30″ – 36″ above the island’s surface. This can vary depending on personal height, ceiling height, and the look you are trying to achieve.
- One or multiple chandeliers can be used over the island’s surface (normally due to the size it would just be one), but ensure that the outer edge of the light is a minimum of 6″ from the end of the island.
- A single chandelier should be centered in the middle of the island. Multiple chandeliers are spaced the same as pendant lights.
- Choose a chandelier size based on the size of the island, ceiling height, and if you are hanging only one or multiple. It should not be too large that it overhangs the edges of the island or too small that the size of the island overtakes it.
This stunning candle-shaped chandelier adds beautifully to the design of the kitchen and has the following features:
- The ambient light from the chandelier provides a gentle illumination to the space.
- Other sources of light, such as recessed lights, would help brighten the space for tasks like cooking.
- This design could complement many home styles including; modern-farmhouse, contemporary, and traditional.
SHOP THE LOOK
This unique and modern chandelier makes a statement and has the following features:
- Each individual light is a cone-shape, so similar to a pendant light the chandelier offers direct task lighting to the surface of the island.
- The unique design would fit a modern or contemporary style home.
SHOP THIS LOOK
This beautiful modern-farmhouse-style kitchen is complemented by a stunning chandelier that has the following features:
- Provides a soft ambient glow to the space.
- It would require other sources of light to fully illuminate the kitchen.
- The design fits nicely with modern-farmhouse or traditional-style homes.
SHOP THIS LOOK
This elegant kitchen is complemented by crystal chandeliers that have the following features:
- The chandelier will provide a soft ambient type of light.
- The crystals will refract the light creating a beautiful sparkling effect.
- This design would complement a luxury-style home.
SHOP THIS LOOK
This rustic-style chandelier stuns in the space and has the following features:
- The frosted glass creates a soft glow and ambiance to the kitchen.
- The cylinder shape of each light provides some task lighting.
- The design could work for farmhouse, industrial, or traditional-style homes.
