Kitchen lighting plays a crucial role in creating the perfect ambiance for cooking, dining, and entertaining. While typical kitchen lighting relies on generic overhead fixtures and under-cabinet lights, unexpected lighting choices can transform an ordinary kitchen into a stylish showplace. In this article, we will explore creative and unique kitchen lighting ideas that make a dramatic design statement.
Illuminate Kitchen Islands with Pendant Lights
Islands are increasingly popular kitchen features that expand counter space and allow for more seating. To spotlight these central focal points, installing pendant lights over kitchen islands creates intriguing style.
Pendant lights come in a vast array of shapes, sizes, colors and materials to match any kitchen decor. Mini pendents in a row provide task lighting across the counter. Larger singular pendant lamps make smart islands seem like artwork. Big drum pendants suspend over expansive islands. For cozy breakfast nooks, try wagon wheel pendants. Match metals in finishes like brushed nickel, antique brass, polished chrome. Go for dramatic contrasts like black metal with glass globes. The options are endless.
Position pendants at various heights for visual interest. Cluster 3-5 pendants close together or space them apart evenly. Let cords dangle or hide wires. The right pendant lighting brings islands to life and gives kitchens an unexpected glow in the heart of the space.
Install Sconces as Accent Lighting
Typically used in hallways and bedrooms, sconces are an often overlooked option for kitchen lighting. Wall mounted sconces provide perfect accent illumination while occupying minimal space.
Place sconces strategically around the kitchen to highlight decor elements. Flank a china cabinet or hutch with sconces to showcase display items. Mount sconces above an eat-in countertop or bar area to direct light right where needed. Use sconces on either side of an area like over a sink or stove.
Opt for swing arm sconces to adjust direction. Go for adjustable dimmers to control ambiance. Choose metal materials like wrought iron, or glass for a delicate appearance. Sconces work well with any kitchen style from traditional to contemporary. Let sconces be the special touch that gives new depth to your kitchen lighting.
Liven Up Cabinetry with Undercabinet Lighting
Below-cabinet lighting has advanced far beyond bare fluorescent strip lighting into an enormous range of options. Utilizing the undercabinet space allows for both stylish and functional illumination exactly where required.
For a contemporary sleek look, install low-profile LED tape lighting under upper cabinets. This unobtrusive lighting highlights counters and tasks. Control separate sections for customized use. For a more focused beam, opt for LED puck lights. The small round lights can be placed anywhere along the undercabinet.
Go for an old-world style with xenon undercabinet lighting. The miniature spotlights on a flexible arm reach below cabinets to put light right on work zones. With advanced features like dimmers, timers and sensors, undercabinet lighting delivers both beauty and utility.
Create Mood with Cove Lighting
Cove lighting represents a subtle but transformative approach for kitchen illumination. The lighting is built seamlessly right into architecture for an integrated look.
Thin strips of LED lighting are installed into coves, shelves, or soffits high up on walls, pointing up or down. The indirect lighting casts a soft glow that avoids glare and shadows. The result is a warm, inviting mood over the entire kitchen.
Use cove lighting above cabinets to provide overall room lighting. Install cove lighting under upper cabinets to illuminate counters. Place vertical cove lighting on pantry side panels or the sides of kitchen islands. Cove lighting offers ambient illumination perfect for dining and entertaining. It’s an unexpected way to make a kitchen glow.
Illuminate Glass Cabinets with Interior Lighting
Glass-front cabinets are a top trend in kitchen design, from upper cabinets to luxury display cases. While glass materials create visual openness, glass cabinets depend on interior lighting to truly shine.
Install LED cabinet lights that distribute illumination evenly across shelves. Long LED tape strips mount easily inside cabinet frames. Opt for energy efficient LED puck lights placed at varying locations. Use cabinet lights with built-in motion sensors or timers.
Aim for accent shelves lit in a color like blue for a fun detail. Try adjustable cabinet lights to direct beams exactly where needed. The options for internal cabinet lighting are plentiful. Make treasured stemware sparkle, fine china pop, and collections come alive inside beautifully lit glass cabinets.
Embrace Industrial Style with Cage Lights
If your kitchen leans modern or industrial, cage lights offer an urban architectural flair. The exposed bulb is encased inside a metal wire mesh that provides an industrial accent.
Use singular large cage pendants over islands for an alternative to typical pendant lights. Line up rows of matching smaller cage pendants over counters and sinks. Mount individual cage wall sconces or corner lamps where you need distinct task lighting.
Experiment with different bulb shapes like globes, cylinders, or fat Edisons for varied looks. Play with bold pops of color on the wires. The unfinished rustic metal juxtaposed with sleek glass bulbs make cage lighting a go-to unexpected choice.
Experience Nature with Organic Shaped Lights
Incorporating lighting inspired by natural shapes and textures makes kitchens feel graciously elegant. Organic motifs fused into lighting fixtures add earthy warmth.
Fantastical branch or antler chandeliers made of natural materials or metal sculptural reproductions bring whimsical magic over a kitchen table. Wave-shaped pendants in rippled metal or wood resemble ocean currents overhead. Round orb lights mimic planets orbiting islands. Freeform bohemian sconces reflect plant shapes on walls.
Hanging single pendants or clustered chandeliers make organic lighting ideal over dining spaces. Match natural textures like woven rattan shades or bamboo stretched lampshades. Nature-based lighting choices ground kitchens in comfort and beauty.
Highlight Architectural Details with Picture Lights
Far beyond just illuminating art, picture lights are an inventive option to spotlight kitchen details. The wall mounted lights distribute narrow beams ideal for highlightingSpecific areas.
Picture lights are discrete choices to illuminate architectural niches like window seats or display shelves holding treasured dish collections. Mini picture lights also adequately illuminate artwork.
Aim the lights onto features on textured stone or brick walls you want to highlight. Picture lights above a builtins or hutch illuminate the materials. Utilize picture lights to accentuate ornamental cornices, trimwork, or decorative tile backsplashes. The focused nature of picture lighting makes common but overlooked decorative features take center stage.
Establish Mood with Color Changing Lights
Color changing lights allow you to easily set different moods and transform the ambiance in your kitchen. With advanced LED technology, it’s simple to integrate lighting fixtures that change colors at the flip of a switch or through smart device controls.
Incorporate color LED strips under cabinetry or shelving to highlight spaces in different hues. Choose color changing recessed ceiling lighting to make the entire kitchen glow dramatic shades. Pick pendant lights with special dimmable colored bulbs to shift tones over islands and dining areas. Options like smart WiFi bulbs allow for custom scheduling and voice controls.
Match lighting colors to kitchen decor, holidays, seasons, or just your mood of the moment. From energizing morning daylight white to relaxing eveningambient amber, the possibilities are endless.
FAQs About Unexpected Kitchen Lighting
What are some unique kitchen lighting ideas?
Some unexpected yet great options for kitchen lighting include pendant lights over islands, sconces for accent lighting, undercabinet lighting for tasks, cove lighting for ambiance, interior lighting in glass cabinets, industrial cage lights, organic shaped lights, picture lights to highlight details, and color changing lights to set the mood.
Where can you buy unique kitchen lights?
Lighting showrooms offer the most diverse selection, but home improvement stores, online retailers and even local boutiques can also have great options for unexpected kitchen lighting fixtures. Look for lighting that coordinates with your kitchen’s decor style.
How do you mix different lighting in a kitchen?
It’s best to layer lighting that serves different purposes in the kitchen. Use overall ceiling lights like a central chandelier combined with recessed lighting to cover general illumination. Add task lighting like undercabinet strip lighting in work zones. Use accent lighting like pendents and sconces to highlight specific areas and architectural details.
How do you choose pendant lighting over a kitchen island?
When selecting pendant lights over a kitchen island, allow for at least 30 inches of clearance from the countertop to the bottom of the pendants. Choose pendant heights in odd numbers like 3 or 5. Space pendants at least 24 inches apart for multi-light fixtures. Select pendant sizes, colors, and materials that coordinate with the kitchen decor. Dim pendants for flexibility.
What kind of sconces work best in kitchens?
The best kitchen sconces are made of durable metal or glass materials that can withstand heat and steam. Go for sconces rated for damp locations. Choose swing arm sconces that adjust direction. Seek sconces that integrate task lighting functions and dimmer switches. Place sconces strategically near prep zones, eating areas, and above focal points you want to highlight.
Should undercabinet lights be LED or fluorescent?
LED lights are the best choice for undercabinet lighting. LEDs are more energy efficient, long lasting, and cool running. LED strip lights or puck lights give great task illumination. Go for dimmable LEDs to control brightness. Choose LED tape lights that allow cutting segments so lighting can be customized.
Conclusion
While overhead lights certainly cover the basics, truly illuminating a kitchen requires choosing fixtures with creativity and purpose. Unexpected lighting options such as pendant lamps over kitchen islands, LED undercabinet lighting for visibility in work zones, wall mounted sconces to accent focal points, cove lighting for ambiance, interior cabinet illumination, and even color changing lights to shift the mood — all make kitchens glow in stylish new ways. The right blend of lighting creates beautiful, functional kitchen spaces perfect for cooking, entertaining and spending quality time. So go beyond the ordinary, and embrace unique lighting choices that will make your kitchen shine.
