Brighten Your Farmhouse Kitchen With Open Concept Lighting

The charm of a farmhouse style kitchen is undeniable. Rustic wood accents, cozy textiles, and timeless furniture pieces come together to create a space that feels lived-in and loved. But perhaps the most essential element for nailing the farmhouse kitchen aesthetic is ample, well-designed lighting.

For homeowners lucky enough to have an open concept floor plan connecting their kitchen and living areas, lighting design presents exciting possibilities. With some smart planning and layering of different fixture types, your open kitchen and living room can feel bright and airy while still maintaining that signature farmhouse coziness.

Plan For Plenty of Light Over Your Island

The kitchen island is often the focal point of an open concept kitchen. Getting the lighting just right above this high-traffic workspace sets the tone for the whole room.

Determine Appropriate Island Pendant Size

First, assess the scale of your island. Measure the width, depth, and height to determine the appropriate pendant size and configuration. Wider islands look best with multiple pendants, while narrower islands only need a single fixture. The ideal pendant height is 28-34 inches above the countertop.

For a large 6-8 foot wide island, choose 3-5 medium or large pendant lights spaced proportionately along the length. Smaller 3-4 foot islands only need 1-3 mini or small pendants.

Select Island Pendant Lighting Style

When it comes to island pendant style, opt for fixtures that complement your farmhouse design. Rustic wrought iron or industrial pendants with galvanized metal and exposed Edison style bulbs add welcoming texture.

Look for unique shapes like lanterns, bells, or barn lights rather than basic drum shades. Matching your island pendants to the finishes and style of your kitchen hardware creates a cohesive look.

Island Pendant Placement Tips

Hang pendants at staggered heights for visual interest. Follow the 60-75-90 rule: place the first pendant at 75 inches above the counter, the second at 60 inches, and the third at 90 inches. Position the lights right over the main food preparation zone leaving room for cooking equipment.

With smart island pendant choices and placement, your farmhouse kitchen island will enjoy gorgeous illumination for meal prep and dining.

Illuminate Your Sink Area and Backsplash

Another essential farmhouse kitchen work zone deserving of excellent lighting is the sink area. When paired with eye-catching backsplash tile, this space begs to be highlighted.

Install Warm Backsplash Lighting

Draw attention to your beautiful backsplash with sconces or undercabinet lights installed right along its length. Opt for fixtures with warm white light around 2700-3000K to accentuate natural materials like stone or wood.

Rustic backsplash sconces work perfectly in a farmhouse kitchen. Mini pendants lined above a tile backsplash is another way to artfully illuminate this area.

Bright Task Lighting Under Cabinets

In addition to accenting your backsplash, adequate lighting under wall cabinets provides essential task illumination for food prep and cleanup. Opt for LED strip lighting or puck lights to eliminate shadows and be able to clearly see your workspace.

Undercabinet lighting is ideal for safely using knives when chopping, reading recipes, and having full visibility when washing dishes. Make sure to install fixtures with the right color temperature and brightness for your needs.

Style Your Sink Lighting Fixtures

When selecting lighting near your farmhouse sink, make sure to coordinate with the overall kitchen design. Industrial pendants or sconces with black metal finishes would suit a more modern farmhouse. For traditional appeal, bronze or antique brass fixtures enhance a classic apron front sink.

Take into account the style of your faucet and hardware. Oil-rubbed bronze lighting pairs perfectly with oiled bronze or black metal faucets. With thoughtful sink area lighting, you can make dish duty almost delightful.

Light Your Open Kitchen and Living Room

One of the joys of an open concept floor plan is the continuous flow between kitchen and living spaces. But this expansive layout also poses unique lighting challenges. Carefully positioning several fixture types creates a cohesive, brilliantly-lit kitchen and living room.

Include Central Statement Light Over Dining Table

Anchor your open floor plan with a stunning statement chandelier or extra large pendant over the dining table situated between kitchen and living room. Choosing a showstopping central fixture defines the entire shared space.

Opt for a dramatic wrought iron chandelier with candles for a traditional farmhouse feel. For more modern charm, a sleek drum pendant in black metal makes a bold declaration.

Layer in Ambiance With Recessed Lighting

While your dining fixture serves as the focal point, recessed cans provide overall ambiance. Space 4-6 inch recessed lights evenly throughout the kitchen and living room zones. Place them strategically to eliminate shadows in important work areas.

Reducing intense contrasts with ambient lighting creates a seamless feel. Dimmers allow adjusting the brightness as needed for different daily activities.

Add Accent Lighting Throughout Living Space

Now layer in accent lighting to create cozy zones within the larger open plan. In living room sitting areas, table lamps or reading sconces provide a warm glow perfect for relaxing with a book. Undercabinet lighting beneath open shelving beautifully illuminates displayed items.

Don’t forget about wall art. Picture lights above artwork or decorative wall sconces cast enticing upward light. Accent lighting adds lovely dimension and visual interest throughout the space.

Lighting an open concept kitchen and living room requires both artistry and strategy. The key is layering ambient, task and accent lighting through well-chosen fixtures. Island pendants, statement chandeliers, recessed cans and sconces together craft a comfortable, bright farmhouse space.

With this guide to open concept farmhouse kitchen lighting, you can design a flawless illumination plan. Your kitchen will serve as a welcoming heart of the home for family and guests to gather.