1. DON'T FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF LAYERING LIGHTING
For a successful lighting scheme, you need to layer your lighting, pairing different types of lighting so all the kitchen's functions are catered for. The key to getting your kitchen lighting scheme right, as with most rooms, is to have plenty of different sources at different levels and make sure you cover the three types of lighting too – task, ambient, and accent.
2. GO FOR LED LIGHTING
LED lighting ideas are a great lighting addition to your kitchen and can add a bit of focus and spotlight on what you're doing when you want the rest of the ambiance to stay the same - so you can chop and focus on your cooking while the rest of the room continues to bask in that soft ambient glow.
3. THINK ABOUT COLOR TEMPERATURE
Sure, it's less exciting than picking the aesthetic of your lighting fixture, but the actual light of the bulb itself is of critical importance to your scheme. It can totally transform a room's mood and feel, turning it from a space that might feel cold, stark, to warming and welcoming.
All light sources have a Correlated Color Temperature and it is measured in Kelvins (k). This is a characteristic of visible light that we associate with its warmth. 'The lower the figure the warmer it is. In the kitchen environment I would suggest using either 2700k or 3000k,' says Darren Parnaby, senior lighting designer from Beem.
4. GIVE THE SPACE AN ART DECO TWIST
The pendants are a place where you can have some fun with your design, so instead of going for three uniform lampshades, think outside the box. Think about the theme of your kitchen in more general terms. Is it a rustic farmhouse vibe, a modern space, or are you going for something quirkier. Art Deco is having a moment in the spotlight yet again, so consider replicating the style with golden pendant lighting like these from Davey Lighting. Go for the use of three and hang them elegantly over your kitchen dining table or island.
5. LIGHT UP ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
How beautiful is this modern kitchen lighting idea? It makes a statement but also provides a lovely all-over glow to the space and really accentuates the architectural details of the room and the loftiness of the ceilings. Recreate something similar in your own space by running subtle LED strip lighting along beams, around alcoves, or even just around the edges of your room – it's a simple idea with a really dramatic effect.
6. CHOOSE SCULPTURAL SHAPES
Proof that kitchen lighting needn't always be practical! Pendant lights are ever-popular in kitchens, and we do love the symmetrical look they give, but why not buck the trend and go for a single statement light? Something quirky and unexpected that will be the focal point of the space.
7. CREATE SYMMETRY WITH PENDANT LIGHTS FOR A CLASSIC LOOK
And really you can't go wrong with the classic, low-hanging pendants above a kitchen island. It's practical, as it provides task lighting should you use the surface to prep and cook, it looks lovely and it defines the island from the rest of the kitchen. Plus, if you put the lights on a dimmer switch you can change the mood from task to ambient in an instant.
8. MAKE WALL LIGHTS A FOCAL POINT
If you don't have a kitchen island to hang pendants above opt for statement wall lights instead. They can add just as much style and interest and are equally functional for lighting up your workspaces. Plus they are flexible too. Choose a design that you can pivot so you can move the light as you need to.
9. ADD EXTRA TASK LIGHTING WHERE YOU NEED IT
Small, subtle wall lights can be ideal for adding extra lighting in areas you often need it too, like above the sink or next to the cooker. And they don't always need to make a big design statement either – in this already bold blue kitchen, compact steel lights sit on either side of the hob adding symmetry and a task light for both the work surface and the hob.
10. GO MINIMAL WITH EXPOSED BULBS
This industrial look just never dates. It's a simple and chic kitchen lighting idea that suits any kitchen style from uber-modern to country rustic. And exposed bulbs can make just as much of a style statement as an oversized pendant, especially if you group them together or hang them in a line above an island or worktop.
11. HANG A CHANDELIER FOR A LUXURIOUS TOUCH
Does it get more decadent than a chandelier in a kitchen? Hang a chandelier as your centerpiece, and keep the rest of your lighting simple and minimal. This mixing of old and new will add a ton of character so embrace the clash through the rest of your kitchen too. See how in this space sleek marble cabinets sit with vintage finds and quirky collections. The chandelier just brings the whole vibe together.
12. INSTALL TRACK LIGHTING (WITH A STYLISH TWIST)
Track lighting has always been popular in kitchens, it's a practical choice that almost just blurs into the background. But this kitchen has given traditional track lighting a stylish twist by installing an exposed galvanized conduit (a metal tubing system used to protect electrical wires) on the ceiling and finishing it with classic filament light bulbs to match the raw industrial vibe of the kitchen.
13. PICK A SUBTLE LINEAR PENDANT
Simple and yet striking, a linear pendant light floats above the island in this kitchen, blending in perfectly with the surrounding cabinets. This suspended design works particularly well if your home has high ceilings and you want a more focused pool of light at eye level.
14. ADD A POP OF COLOR
Lighting is a lovely way to bring color into your kitchen without being too bold. The dark kitchen is uplifted by the splash of yellow, and see how the yellow-tones veining of the marble pops now too? These sunny hues really warm up the deep charcoal cabinetry, livening the room without overwhelming it.
15. BRING IN WARMTH WITH BRASS FIXTURES
Brass is a really popular choice in kitchen light fittings, warmer than silver but not as flashy as gold it works with any style and any color scheme. Just be sure to get the same tones of brass across all your light fixtures. To ensure this you're best sourcing all your lighting from the same brand. Or you could even mix metallics, try a brass ceiling light and silver wall lights, for a very on-trend on look.
16. CREATE A QUIRKY LOOK WITH ANTIQUE GLASS
If you have forgone wall cabinets and have the space to hang pendants above your worktops, it's a nice alternative to wall lights. How cute are these colorful glass shades too? They are subtle and yet as a hint of color and quirky shape to the room. The perfect balance between statement and classic.
17. ADD SOFTNESS WITH FABRIC LANTERNS
Fabric lamp shades aren't something you see all that often in kitchens, but if you have a spacious kitchen diner, so you can hang them well out of the way of the kitchen workspace, they can add a lovely softness to a space. Kitchens are usually made up of a lot of hard surfaces and clean lines, so having this tactile addition creates lovely contrast and can really distinguish between the practical part of the kitchen and the more laid-back dining space.