12 Brilliant Ways to Use Lighting Above Your Kitchen Cabinets

The space above kitchen cabinets presents ample opportunity to add beautiful, functional lighting. From sparkling pendant lights to task-focused under cabinet fixtures, the right lights can completely transform your cooking space. Let's explore 12 brilliant lighting ideas to illuminate your kitchen in style.

Lighting above kitchen cabinets serves many design purposes. Properly positioned lights provide essential task illumination for food prep and cooking. Stylish fixtures like pendant lights also contribute aesthetic appeal when thoughtfully layered over islands and peninsulas. Lighting can be used to highlight architectural details or display collections creatively. With the right blend of task, accent, and ambient lighting, your kitchen can become a bright, inviting hub for family and friends.

Layer Pendant Lights Over Your Kitchen Island

One of the most popular uses for lighting above kitchen cabinets is to hang pendant lights over a kitchen island. Island pendants serve both form and function. They provide focused lighting for tasks while lending undeniable style.

Choose Mini-Pendant Lights for Smaller Kitchen Islands

For narrow galley kitchen islands, mini-pendant lights are a great choice. Ranging anywhere from 6 to 14 inches in height, mini-pendants allow you to squeeze in multiple fixtures side by side over a compact island. Opt for three mini-pendants in a row for a traditional look, or go bold with a dynamic cluster of 5 or more.

With their smaller profiles, mini-pendants are ideal for kitchens with low 7 to 8 foot ceilings. Their modest size keeps them in scale over petite islands. Mini-pendants come in a vast array of styles, from elegant glass to industrial metal.

Opt for Larger Pendant Lights on Bigger Islands

In spacious kitchens with generous 9 foot ceilings, make a dramatic statement by hanging oversized pendant lights above larger islands. Just two sizable pendant fixtures hung in the center of a wide island can make a bold visual impact.

The scale of your pendant lights should relate proportionally to the size of your island. An island that's 4 feet wide can handle two 20 inch diameter pendants. A 6 foot wide island can stunningly support two dramatic 30 inch pendant fixtures. Let your island dimensions and personal style guide pendant light choices.

Hang Pendants at the Right Height Over Your Island

While pendant lights provide eye-catching style, their key purpose is to deliver functional task lighting. To illuminate your island properly for food prep and dining, hang pendant lights 30 to 34 inches above the counter.

If you prefer a more intimate, cozy look, pendant lights can be hung slightly lower. For kitchens with dramatic 10 to 12 foot ceilings, raising them higher draws the eye up and highlights the grand proportions.

Measure carefully to get the pendant height just right. Nothing beats seeing their glow subtly illuminate your counters and reflect off gleaming cabinets.

Pick Transitional Pendant Styles for Flexible Design

Kitchen pendant lighting spans an array of styles, but transitional fixtures offer the most versatility. With their simple yet elegant shapes and finishes like brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and black metal, transitional pendants coordinate in both contemporary and traditional kitchens.

Glass pendants in neutral colors like clear, white or brushed metallic work well in any kitchen aesthetic. Classic dome shapes, lantern styles and sleek cylinders have broad appeal. Embrace eclectic charm by mixing and matching transitional pendant styles over your kitchen island.

Add Dramatic Chandeliers for Visual Impact

While often reserved for dining rooms, chandeliers can infuse a gorgeous, glamorous focal point over kitchen islands and seating areas. With the right style, chandeliers introduce a feeling of grandeur in open concept kitchens and make a stunning style statement.

Dining Area Chandeliers Anchor the Space

In sprawling open kitchen and dining room combinations, a statement chandelier visually defines the dining zone. An eye-catching chandelier provides ambient lighting for the space and creates an elegant focal point.

When hanging a chandelier to illuminate a dining table, allow 30 to 34 inches clearance from the chandelier's bottom facet to the tabletop. This provides ideal ambient lighting for dining while preventing the fixture from feeling too imposing.

Vintage-Style Chandeliers for Farmhouse Kitchens

For today's popular farmhouse style kitchens, vintage-inspired chandeliers are a perfect match. Intricate details like crystals, candle motifs and scrolling metalwork blend beautifully with shabby chic, rustic and French country aesthetics.

Wrought iron chandeliers with an antique patina feel right at home in country kitchens. Add crystal chandelier facets for a touch of elegance. Let a vintage chandelier infuse easy farmhouse charm into your cozy kitchen.

Modern Chandeliers Make a Statement

In sleek, contemporary kitchens, an artistic statement chandelier lends drama and sophistication. Modern chandelier styles range from graceful and nature-inspired to boldly geometric.

Show off your unique style with an abstract pendant chandelier in your open concept kitchen. Sculptural chandeliers in finishes like polished chrome or gold elevate the ambience.

Install Under Cabinet Lighting for Tasks

While pendant lights add beauty above kitchen cabinets, under cabinet lighting belongs below. Strategically placed under cabinet fixtures directly illuminate countertops for food prep, cooking and cleanup tasks.

LED Strip Lights are Easy to Install Under Cabinets

Slim LED strip lights offer a streamlined and energy efficient way to add task lighting under kitchen cabinets. Many feature a self-adhesive backing, making DIY installation a breeze. Just peel off the backing and press into place.

For a seamless look, continuous LED strip lighting spans the full length of your cabinets. You can also opt for shorter strips placed strategically in key work areas. LED strips emit a bright, uniform glow ideal for kitchen tasks.

Opt for Plug-In Puck Lights for Flexible Placement

Battery-powered puck lights provide versatile under cabinet task lighting without any wiring required. Powered by LEDs, puck lights adhere to cabinet bottoms with magnetic backings or double-sided tape.

Puck lights allow you to concentrate task lighting exactly where needed. Place individually wherever you chop, prep and cook. Arrange multiple puck lights in a row for wide illumination across countertops. You can easily reposition puck lights as tasks and workflow change.

Use Hardwired Under Cabinet Lighting for Seamless Look

Permanently installed under cabinet lighting powered by your home's electric provides an integrated, custom look. Hardwired strip lights and fixtures mounted to the underside of wall cabinets deliver flawless task lighting across your entire kitchen.

For uninterrupted under cabinet lighting, consider hiring an electrician to install it. The results will be professional with lights perfectly spaced for full coverage. Bask in the continuous glow lighting up your countertops and cabinets.

Utilize Track Lighting for Flexible Direction

Sleek track lighting offers focused illumination from above kitchen cabinets that can be aimed exactly where desired. Spotlights on tracks allow you to highlight decorative displays and architectural details.

Linear Track Lighting Adds Architectural Interest

Mounted to the ceiling, linear track lighting makes a modern design statement with its orderly rows of spotlights. By adding directional interest, track lighting enhances the kitchen's architecture and dimensions.

Angle spotlights to graze cabinet fronts, spotlight a decorative shelf or highlight a prized collectible. Focus the light any way you desire with the turn of a track head.

Track Lighting Works in Transitional Kitchen Styles

While minimalist in form, track lighting systems easily blend into transitional kitchen aesthetics. Try combining a modern metal track with vintage inspired lights. Use track heads with exposed filaments, schoolhouse glass or antique brass finishes.

This mix of sleek track and traditional fixtures allows you to achieve both focused task lighting and nostalgic decorative flair. Aim lights at crown molding or architectural trim to emphasize charming details.

Use Track Lighting to Showcase Collections

Swiveling spotlights make a track lighting system ideal for display lighting. Rotate adjustable track heads to highlight treasured collectibles, cookbooks or dishware organized on open shelves or glass cabinet fronts.

Track lighting allows you to create a focal point within your kitchen. Spotlight favorite ceramic canisters, line up lights on glassware or highlight decorative plates. Show off your style with display lighting.

Accent with Recessed Lighting

Recessed downlighting casts focused illumination perfect for accenting kitchen features like cabinets and backsplashes. Adjustable recessed fixtures allow light direction to be tweaked as needed.

Recessed Downlighting Lifts Dark Kitchen Cabinets

Does your kitchen suffer from heavy, dark cabinetry? Brighten things up with the strategic addition of recessed lighting. Focused light aimed downward washes kitchen walls and cabinets in a soft glow.

Placing recessed can lights above wall cabinets illuminates surfaces and introduces a lighter, airier feeling. Cabinet interiors also benefit from recessed accent lighting. Just a few smartly placed cans make a big difference.

Wall Wash Lighting Shows Off Backsplashes

Recessed lighting aimed horizontally creates wall wash lighting that sculpts and highlights backsplash tile, stone or accent wall textures. Recessed cans set close to the wall and angled toward the backsplash cast gorgeous upward grazing light.

Wall wash lighting accentuates the colors, shine and grout lines of your backsplash. LED recessed fixtures work best to artfully showcase your kitchen's back wall.

Adjustable Recessed Lighting Adds Flexibility

Kitchen recessed lighting allows flexibility through the use of adjustable fixtures. Rotating recessed lights let you pivot the direction as needed for tasks, accenting or ambience.

Aim movable recessed lights where extra illumination is required as you prep and cook. Lower light levels for dining ambience. With customizable direction, recessed lighting puts you in control.

Lighting is one of the most transformative elements you can add to a kitchen. From task and accent to decorative pendants and chandeliers, light brings life and personality. Hopefully these 12 brilliant kitchen lighting techniques have sparked inspiration for your own space.

Now that you're equipped with kitchen lighting ideas, it's time to choose fixtures that match your style. Be sure to assess your space and lighting needs. A thoughtfully illuminated kitchen feels inviting, stylish and makes cooking a joy.