10 Iconic Mid Century Modern Lighting Fixtures to Brighten Up Your Kitchen
Mid century modern design brings a blast of retro flair to contemporary kitchens with its bold colors, sculptural shapes, and space-age aesthetic. From sputnik chandeliers to curvaceous pendants, mid century lighting fixtures make a striking statement and provide both beauty and illumination. With so many iconic designs to choose from, you can easily brighten up your kitchen with fixtures that celebrate this playful, futuristic style.
You'll discover the stories behind these retro-fabulous fixtures, get styling inspiration, and learn handy tips for illuminating your kitchen with vintage character.
Mid Century Modern Kitchen Lighting Basics
First, let's look at what defines mid century modern lighting and makes it ideal for kitchens. This style emerged in the 1930s-1960s and included signature traits like:
- Vibrant, intense colors like chartreuse, turquoise, tomato red, and sunny yellow
- Distinct shapes including amoeba-like blobs, bold geometrics, and sputnik spheres
- Materials like plastic, fiberglass, steel, and wood instead of brass and crystal
- Playful combinations of retro-futuristic shapes as seen in George Nelson's bubble lamps
These characteristics contrasted dramatically with previous eras' ornate, heavy lighting. Mid century lighting has an airy, space-age feel that injects any kitchen with energy and cheer. When selecting fixtures, look for these mid century details to complement your cabinets, counters, and decor.
10 Iconic Fixtures That Embody Mid Century Style
1. Nelson Saucer Pendant
This bubbled disc pendant beautifully epitomizes mid century aesthetic. Designed by George Nelson in 1947, the subtle pear shape and clean-lined simplicity showcase Nelson's signature modernism. Nicknamed the "marshmallow sofa" for its puffy form, the Saucer Pendant comes in both small and large options. Hang a cluster over a kitchen island to achieve a floating cloud effect. Choose colors like lemon, turquoise, or apple red to enhance the retro charm.
2. Arne Jacobsen AJ Lamp
Danish designer Arne Jacobsen created this curvaceous, asymmetric pendant in 1960. The staggered oval shades echo space-age style with a mask-like face. Brass accents and a painted finish add striking contrast. Search for vintage AJ pendants from the 60s or opt for contemporary reproductions. Position one near a prep area or cluster three over a kitchen table for a hovering orb effect.
3. Sputnik Chandelier
The Sputnik burst onto the scene in the 1950s, taking its celestial shape from the recently launched Soviet satellite. With spiky brass spires shooting from a central core, these chandeliers evoke science fiction and astronomy. Contemporary companies like Gus* Modern offer fresh takes on the Sputnik. For serious retro appeal, hang a brass and glass sputnik centered over a kitchen island or table.
4. Poul Henningsen Artichoke Lamp
Danish designer Poul Henningsen created his layered Artichoke lamp in 1958. Inspired by a flower bud, the staggered, leaf-like shades filter and distribute light. Many sizes exist beyond pendants, including flush mounts and table lamps. The brushed steel and glass design works in any room. Cluster above a sink, position over an island or hang artichokes of different heights for compelling layered lighting.
5. George Nelson Bubble Lamp
Nelson struck gold with his series of futuristic Bubble Lamps. Launched in 1947, these pendant orbs exemplify mid century aesthetic with their spherical forms. The lamps came in various materials like metal-coated plastic and acrylic. While metal bubbles offer retro appeal, acrylic provides better light diffusion. Use one as a striking accent over a bar area or cluster multiples at staggered heights over prep zones.
6. FLOS Cocoon Lamp
For a truly unusual sculptural piece, consider Paolo Rizzatto's iconic Cocoon lamp from 1972. Suspended from cords, the cocoon-shaped frame houses an inner paper shade. This singular fixture combines modernism, sculpture and lighting for serious style impact. Hang a Cocoon lamp low over an island, bar or sink area. Pair with barrel-shaped or globe pendants for eclectic mid century personality.
7. Gubi Grasshopper Floor Lamp
Though technically designed for floors, this playful tripod lamp by Greta Grossman works wonderfully as a wall or tabletop accent fixture. The articulated steel arm and conical shade have a retro-futuristic vibe. Position a Grasshopper above a kitchen window for additional light. Or mount one horizontally over a sink or prep area. Choose colors like warm copper, matte black or bright blue for a striking pop.
8. Nelson Ball Clock
Though intended as wall clocks, George Nelson's distinctive Ball Clocks make excellent hanging accent lights too. Their bold, graphic shapes add eye-catching flair. Mount one of Nelson's cube, sphere or disc clocks above a sink or food prep zone. Opt for corpus colors like zesty orange, aqua or apple red. Let these iconic timepieces illuminate your kitchen with atomic-age charm.
9. Schoolhouse Electric Orb Pendants
For a celestial dome effect, explore Schoolhouse Electric's handcrafted orb pendants. These textured spheres elevate basic lighting with mid century vibe. Available materials range from perforated steel and brass to solid acrylic. Choose smooth orbs for an airy feel or opt for zigzag patterns. Cluster Mini Orbs over a central island or hang large Fireballs above room corners for stylish symmetry.
10. Modernica Bubble Lamp
This contemporary lighting company offers updated takes on Nelson's bubble lamps for easy modern integration. Options like the Criss Cross Bubble, Saucer and Pear Pendants provide geometric flair. Cluster for a playful grouping or use singularly as accent points. Modernica's wider range of sizes and finishes makes it easy to incorporate bubble lamps throughout your kitchen.
Tips for Selecting and Positioning Fixtures
When choosing mid century lighting, consider your kitchen's current color scheme and how different finishes will enhance the space. Mixing material textures like acrylic, wood and metal creates visual interest. Don't overlook lighting needs for task and ambient illumination. Proper placement is key - hang pendants at appropriate heights over islands, counters, tables and sinks. Finally, don't be afraid to cluster multiple fixtures in playful arrangements for maximum mid century style.
Retro revamp your kitchen easily with iconic mid century modern lighting. From Sputniks to Saucer pendants, you have many sculptural, space-age options. Just be sure to select fixtures that align with your overall aesthetic. Proper placement, scale and finish elevate your kitchen's form and function. Embrace bold colors and celebrate striking shapes from this forward-thinking era. Let these innovative lights inspire you to concoct a stylish, cheerful kitchen space with true mid century panache.