Light Up Your Kitchen With the Hottest Lighting Trends
Kitchen lighting is one of the most important elements of kitchen design. The right lighting can make a kitchen feel more open and spacious, highlight key features, and set the perfect ambiance for cooking, entertaining or relaxing. As a focal point for any kitchen remodel or upgrade, it's essential to know the latest kitchen lighting trends and how to implement them.
From statement-making fixtures to smart tech controls, we'll cover all the top trends and tips to illuminate your kitchen in style.
Current Kitchen Lighting Trends
Statement Lighting
One of the biggest kitchen lighting trends is the use of statement lighting fixtures. Statement lights serve as a dramatic focal point and anchor for the overall kitchen design. Popular options include large, eye-catching pendant lights over kitchen islands and bold, sparkling chandeliers over dining tables.
The key to selecting statement pendant lighting is choosing a style that aligns with your kitchen's aesthetic - modern and minimalist, traditional and ornate, industrial and edgy. Position the pendants at least 30-34 inches above the island counter to maximize illumination. For drama, opt for pendant fixtures in materials like brass, aged bronze, glass or iron.
LED Lighting
LED lighting is still going strong as a top kitchen lighting trend. LEDs are extremely energy-efficient and long-lasting, making them a smart investment. From sleek under cabinet LED lighting to recessed LED cans, they offer plenty of stylish options.
For a clean, modern look, install hidden LED tape lighting under wall-mounted cabinets. It provides perfect task lighting for countertops. For a soft ambient glow, nothing beats recessed LED lighting. Position recessed LED can lights strategically to highlight architectural details.
Smart Lighting
Smart lighting allows you to control your kitchen lighting via app, voice or scheduled automation. With smart bulbs and sensors, you can preset customized lighting scenes for cooking, cleaning or entertaining. Slowly waking up the lights in the morning or turning them off from bed at night becomes effortless.
Smart kitchen lighting offers the ultimate in customization and convenience. Install smart bulbs in existing fixtures or add components like wireless controls or motion sensors. Control lighting by rooms, adjust colors and dimness, and set schedules to fit your lifestyle.
Accent Lighting
Strategically placed accent lighting is key for a well-lit kitchen. Accent lighting highlights specific features, surfaces or display areas. Use mini-spotlights, under cabinet lights or directional track heads to spotlight counters, glass-front cabinets, artwork or decorative displays.
Don't underestimate the power of properly positioned accent lighting. It can make a kitchen feel polished and put-together. For a foolproof guide, utilize your kitchen's existing features as accent lighting placement cues. Draw the eye to your new stone backsplash or warm wood open shelving.
Key Types of Kitchen Lighting
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting supplies overall general illumination for the entire kitchen area. Typically, ambient lighting comes from ceiling-mounted fixtures like semi-flush mounts, pendants and chandeliers, as well as recessed can lighting.
A common guideline is to have ambient lighting account for about 60% of the total lighting. Space recessed cans evenly to cast a wash of ambient lighting across the full kitchen. Fill in gaps with pendant lights mounted 30-32 inches above counters or islands.
Task Lighting
Nothing beats proper task lighting for food preparation zones, cooking areas and workstations. The two go-to options are under cabinet lighting and pendant task lights. Under cabinet fixtures provide directed illumination right where you need it most - on the countertops.
Choose under cabinet LED tape strips or puck lights for an even glow across the work area with minimal shadows. Mini-pendant lights mounted 28-34 inches over key prep zones also supply helpful task lighting. Position them above areas like islands, stoves and sinks.
Lighting Your Kitchen Island
Kitchen islands benefit from layered, multi-directional lighting for full illumination. A popular island lighting technique is pairing pendant lights with recessed ambient lighting. Consider 3-5 pendant lights hung 30-34 inches above the island counter to direct light right where you need it.
Then, fill the surrounding area with recessed cans to avoid shadows. For added drama, opt for large statement pendants like a sputnik chandelier. Choose decorative fixtures that match your kitchen's style - industrial, modern, rustic and more. Prioritize function as well - direct most of the light downward.
Achieving Your Desired Kitchen Aesthetic
Remember to choose lighting that enhances your overall kitchen design aesthetic. For a sleek, contemporary look, opt for matte black fixtures, recessed lighting and clean-lined pendants. In traditional kitchens, crystal chandeliers, sconces and French country pendants shine.
Rustic kitchens benefit from black wrought iron chandeliers and industrial barn pendants. Match metals and finishes throughout for a cohesive look - oil-rubbed bronze and distressed wood, stainless steel and glass, matte black and marble. The lighting possibilities are endless.
Kitchen lighting encompasses everything from statement pendants to task lighting. By incorporating the latest kitchen lighting trends, like bold statements, smart tech and targeted accents, you're sure to illuminate your space in style.
Just remember, always keep purpose and placement in mind. Thoroughly light all kitchen zones - islands, counters, cooking areas - for safety and functionality. Your lighting design possibilities are truly endless when you utilize all the right styles and techniques.