The Best Flush Mount Kitchen Lighting for Bright, Modern Style
With open floor plans becoming more popular, kitchens today need lighting that provides ample brightness without dark spots. Flush mount fixtures are an excellent lighting choice to illuminate kitchens with clean, contemporary style.
Flush mount lights provide bright, even overhead lighting by mounting directly to the ceiling with no gap. Their minimalist profile keeps the kitchen looking sleek while avoiding shadows. Read on to learn how to choose the best flush mount kitchen lighting to create a fresh, well-lit cooking space.
Flush Mount Kitchen Lighting Benefits
Flush mount lights offer many advantages for kitchen illumination compared to pendant lights or chandeliers.
- Provide ambient overhead lighting without hanging fixtures
- Eliminate shadows and dark spots in the kitchen
- Make small kitchens appear more spacious
- Offer sleek, contemporary style
- Won't obstruct cabinets or counters
- Come in flush and semi-flush mount options
Semi-flush mount lights feature a short chain allowing them to suspend just below the ceiling. Flush mount options provide direct contact. Both maximize usable space since they don't require gap clearance. The minimalist look of flush mount lights complements modern and contemporary kitchen styles.
Choosing the Right Flush Mounts for Your Kitchen
Several factors go into choosing the best flush mount kitchen lighting for your needs and style.
Size of Kitchen
Consider the square footage when determining how many flush mount fixtures you need. Small kitchens may only need one or two. Here are recommended lumens for sufficient ambient lighting:
- Small kitchen: 3,000 - 5,000 lumens
- Medium kitchen: 5,000 - 10,000 lumens
- Large kitchen: 10,000+ lumens
Also account for lighting over a kitchen island or eating area. Flush mount pendants work well focused over these spaces.
Ceiling Height
The height of your kitchen's ceiling impacts the choice between flush or semi-flush mount. Flush mount lights work with standard 8 ft. ceilings. For higher or vaulted ceilings, opt for semi-flush or consider fixtures with adjustable length cables.
Your Lighting Needs
While flush mounts provide ambient light, also factor in task lighting over key work areas. Under cabinet lighting illuminates countertops well. Consider adding recessed lighting or track lighting to supplement the general lighting flush mounts produce.
Aesthetic Style
Choose flush mount kitchen lighting that matches your overall decor scheme. Fixture finish, materials, and design significantly impact the look. Brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze finishes give a traditional feel, while painted metal finishes appear more modern and sleek. Glass globes soften the light, while metal shades create more directional lighting. Wood adds warmth.
Top Flush Mount Kitchen Lighting Fixtures
Certain flush mount lighting styles stand out as excellent options for kitchens needing maximum brightness.
Semi-Flush LED Lights
Semi-flush mount LED fixtures offer the efficiency and bright, white light of LEDs while still mounted close to the ceiling. The small gap helps allow heat dissipation from the LEDs. Look for energy-saving fixtures providing at least 800 lumens.
Linear Bar Lights
For a contemporary look, linear flush mount fixtures feature LED strips in sleek rectangular housings. The continuous line of light produces uniform, shadow-free brightness. Minimalist styles blend seamlessly into modern kitchen designs.
Flush Mount Glass Pendants
Larger glass pendants hanging from short chains mimic the clean look of flush mounts. The transparent glass allows light diffusion for softer ambient lighting. Pendants also create a decorative focal point over kitchen islands.
Flush Mount Track Lighting
Track lighting offers wonderful flexibility in spotlighting tasks or accents. Combining a simple overhead track system with flush mount fixtures provides both customizable task lighting and general ambient brightness.
Flush Mount Placement Tips
Proper placement amplifies the benefits of flush mount kitchen lighting.
- Center over main work areas like the sink, stove, and prep spaces
- Align multiple fixtures to create a continuous line of light
- Complement with recessed or under cabinet lighting as needed
- Mount at least 30 inches above counters for light spread
With their understated, minimalist design, flush mount lights add plenty of illumination to kitchens without cluttering visual space. The direct ceiling contact provides the full ambient brightness needed for tasks and safety. Flush mount kitchen lighting opens up small spaces and delivers the sleek, clean-lined look of contemporary style.
By selecting the appropriate flush mount fixtures and placement for your kitchen size and layout, you can achieve bright, even overhead lighting. Flush mount lights create a fresh modern look perfect for cooking and spending time together in an airy, well-lit kitchen.