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This blog post is all about the best types of kitchen ceiling lights for a gorgeous and functional space!
One of the best ways to ensure that your kitchen truly becomes the heart of the home is by choosing proper kitchen lighting. As with all interiors, the type of lighting you select plays a crucial role in setting the right ambiance, making your space more functional, and completing your decor.
However, with all the different lighting fixtures on the market and the overwhelming choice, it can be challenging to find the perfect piece to match your space. I can’t tell you how often I have found myself staring at my sad sole lightbulb before committing to a kitchen chandelier.
This is why I wanted to compile a list of the best types of kitchen ceiling lights. In this post, we’ll explore 20 different options to help you choose a lighting option that can complement the natural light in your space and take your design to the next level!
20 Best Types of Kitchen Ceiling Lights
1. Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are one of the top picks when it comes to kitchen ceiling lights. They often come in sets, anything from 3 to 4, depending on the size of your kitchen, and work perfectly with medium to high ceilings.
The beauty of pendant lights is that they create vertical lines in your space and tie together your decor by clearly establishing a focal point. You can place them on top of your kitchen island or even over a dining table if your kitchen has an eating area. They can help give some additional structure to your layout while providing adequate lighting.
2. Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is a popular option for general lighting that can accommodate a variety of styles. Its main advantage is that it’s installed below your ceiling surface, completely hiding the fixture itself. This, of course, gives a smooth look that can help visually open up your room, making it a wonderful choice if you are working with a very small kitchen.
This type of lighting can seamlessly blend with your ceiling if you choose a white frame. Alternatively, you can opt for a higher contrast with black. The lights will be more visible but they will also add a stylish touch to your kitchen lights design.
3. Track Lighting
Track lights are one of the more modern types of kitchen ceiling lights. These fixtures are usually adjustable lights installed on a single track. This setup makes it possible to point each light in a different direction, making it a prime option for practicality. Installation is also much easier compared to individually connecting many different junction boxes.
The design works best for industrial, contemporary, and farmhouse interiors as it combines functionality with simple lines and a variety of finishes.
4. LED Flush Mount Lights
Another great option if you are working with lower ceilings is LED flush mount lights. These pieces are attached directly to your ceiling, creating a more seamless look and saving some vertical space. Unlike recessed lighting, they are not completely hidden, making it possible for you to use them as an important piece of decor.
The LED lights also tend to be more durable and energy-efficient, making them a better investment.
5. Semi-flush Mounts
If you don’t have much space for a chandelier but don’t love the look of surface lights, semi-flush mounts are exactly what you need! By hanging slightly below your ceiling, they add dimension to your space, creating in turn a more dramatic effect. They also tend to be a bit larger than flush mounts, making them a better choice for higher ceilings and larger kitchens.
6. Puck Lights
Puck lights are perfect for low ceilings and small kitchens as they provide a modern but versatile option for lighting. Think of them as a combination of recess lights and flush-mounted fixtures. When it comes to puck lights, you essentially get the benefit of the small dimension while also enjoying the added element of design coming from the exposed frame.
For maximum effects and adequate lighting, make sure to use a large number of light fixtures. You can spread them across your kitchen ceiling for an eclectic design or organize them in straight rows across the entire surface.
7. Flat Panel Lights
Flat panel lights are a great way to make smaller kitchens or naturally dark environments immediately brighter. With just a single fixture you can get a very modern look and lighting that resembles that of ambiance strip lights. Personally, I like how smooth and simple flat panel lights look – they are a dream match for any minimalist space in need of good lighting!
8. Chandeliers as Statement Pieces
Lighting does not need to be simply functional but it can also become a core decorative element of your kitchen. Statement chandeliers, in particular, can add visual interest to your kitchen, enhancing some of its architectural features. A chandelier will also always add a touch of elegance to your decor, immediately making the space look more expensive and curated.
I love this mid-century modern chandelier from Amazon, but you can try out various designs to find the best option depending on your home’s style. I would also recommend checking out your local stores to find some hidden gems and truly unique pieces!
9. Task Lighting
Task lights are an important part of the general illumination of your kitchen. Given that this space needs to be extremely functional, task lighting helps you ensure specific work areas are bright enough, no matter the status of natural light.
Think of these pieces as spotlights that serve a specific purpose. For instance, you may save a chandelier for the dining area of your kitchen and use task lights instead to illuminate your kitchen sink, prep counter, and kitchen island. The key is to invest in a light fixture with multiple adjustable heads. You can also opt for individual task lights if your space is very large and you need to spread them out.
10. Above-Wall Cabinets Cove Lighting
Cove lighting is the perfect choice if you’re looking for ambient lighting that is cozy and welcoming, as well as if you’d like to hide your light sources within your design. Cove lighting consists of strip LEDs that are installed to direct light towards the ceilings and down your walls. It effectively creates background lighting for your entire space, giving a warm glow that looks very sophisticated. The effect is similar to that of under-cabinet lighting, a feature it is often paired with.
These types of kitchen ceiling lights are also a good match for your lighting needs if you want to add depth and dimension to your space without sacrificing a minimalist design.
11. Wall Sconces
Sconces are a favorite of interior designers to create a well-lit space. While there are many different types of ceiling sconces in terms of styles and finishes, they all share similar characteristics. They are often small, meaning that you will need at least a couple to fully light up a room, as well as accent pieces that stand out against your ceiling.
Unlike recessed lighting, sconces are meant to be a very visible part of your decor, serving as a functional but beautiful finishing touch. For example, I love this antique-inspired option from Amazon for a classy detail for an elegant kitchen.
12. Ceiling Fans with Lights
If you are working with larger kitchens and live in a warm area, ceiling fans are a great example of functional design. These pieces are a staple of traditional kitchens and an absolute must-have for the perfect coastal-themed space.
While there are many designs available, I find wooden pieces to be the most refined ones. They are simple in their design but the wood helps to bring warmth and a rustic touch to the kitchen they are placed in.
13. Decorative Accent Lights
You can consider accent lighting any type of kitchen ceiling light you use to highlight a specific element in your space. This light should not be the only source of illumination in your kitchen. It should instead focus on a single feature like a piece of wall decor, a dining nook, or even a shelf display of your favorite dinnerware collection.
When setting up accent lighting, make sure to spend some time reviewing its interaction with the main lighting source in the kitchen. The warmth of the lights, the fixtures’ design styles, and the lights’ location mustn’t clash with each other. otherwise, you risk creating kitchen lighting that is confusing and overwhelms your space rather than enhancing it.
14. Classic Ceiling Mount Fixtures
If you are afraid to settle on unusual types of kitchen ceiling lights, you can also default to classic designs. They are an easy bet in terms of creating timeless decor and will often match a variety of interior styles, making it possible for your space to change around them as you refine your vision.
These designs frequently have a rounded shape without too much detailing. Their frames will also be in evergreen colors like black, gold, silver, or brass. While they may not be an accent piece, they can still make for beautiful decor that is set to stand the test of time. Overall, a great investment!
15. Energy-Efficient LED Lights
Energy efficiency has become one of the main characteristics of the best kitchen lighting. Consuming less energy makes your kitchen more sustainable and your electricity bill cheaper, both things that you should prioritize. After all, decor that is both sustainable and affordable is the ultimate gem of interior design!
When it comes to energy-efficient ceiling fixtures, your best bet will be LEDs. You can find them in various styles and materials, simply make sure to review in detail the product descriptions to choose the sustainable option that works best for your needs.
16. Dimmable Lights with Dimmer Switches
If you don’t need much light in your kitchen or if you want to invest in good lighting for the ambiance of your kitchen, dimmable lights are going to be your best friend. Opt for a light fixture that can be regulated both in terms of brightness and color temperature (cold vs. warm lighting). The main advantage will be that you can change the atmosphere and feel of the entire room in just a matter of seconds.
If your kitchen has a dining area, this is an absolute must-have to elevate your hosting!
17. Whimsical Multi-Color Lighting
In recent times, with the increased popularity of minimalist design and modern fixtures, all types of kitchen ceiling lights seem to have lost more whimsical features. However, if you are looking for a truly fun and unique piece for your kitchen, no need to settle on an average fixture. If your kitchen decor calls for it, don’t be afraid to embrace colorful lighting. You can achieve this by investing in color-changing LEDs. Alternatively, choose a colorful glass fixture.
A piece like this one from Amazon will not only look stunning as the lights are on, but it will also help turn natural light into a colorful affair. This is a perfect example of how the right light fixture can look different for each kitchen. It all depends on your needs and taste!
18. Modern Look with Minimalist Fixtures
Minimalist kitchen light fixtures are the perfect choice if you have a modern kitchen. To best match the style of your kitchen, you will want to prioritize smooth lines, sleek finishes, and modern finishes.
While minimalist pieces tend to be a bit more expensive, you can still find plenty of affordable options that can turn your kitchen from basic into an interior designer’s dream. For instance, this stunning piece from Amazon is less than 200$. An absolute steal!
19. Focal Point Lighting
If your kitchen has a complex layout, you can use lighting to create several focal points in your space, adding structure and separation between the different areas. Think of lighting as your tool to create specific areas within the broader room. For instance, installing different dining room and kitchen island lights can help you make those two spaces not only visually separated but also functionally divided.
The more you need each area to be independent, the more contrast you will want your lighting options to have. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one main lighting source for each section you are trying to create.
20. Exposed Lighting for Maximum Brightness
Exposed lighting is a great option if your space doesn’t have a lot of natural light flowing in. These light fixtures tend to be brighter than shaded options. As far as design is concerned, these lights work well in industrial kitchens with exposed lightbulbs or in very modern ones with minimalist LEDs.
Types of Kitchen Ceiling Lights – Common Qs
1. What are the different types of lighting?
In interior design, we talk about four main types of lighting: general, ambient, mood, task, and accent. While you do not need to include a light source for each lighting type, it can be useful to cover a couple of those in your kitchen. Don’t be afraid to combine different light fixtures to cover all your lighting needs. Multiple light sources are actually one of the key aspects of curated and well-designed spaces!
2. What is the recommended light wattage for a kitchen?
Let me start by saying that the answer depends on the structure of your kitchen (e.g.: number of windows, natural light sources, etc.) and the usage you make of the space. However, if you are looking for general guidelines, it’s a good idea to aim for lighting between 4,000-8,000 lumens, with a cozy color temperature ranging from 2,700K to 5,000K. To get the best results, as we discussed earlier in the post, you can use a few dimmable 14-watt Daylight White LED bulbs. They’ll give you plenty of light and flexibility!
To Conclude
This post showed you 20 different types of kitchen ceiling lights!
Finding the right lighting for your kitchen is an important part of your kitchen design. Whether you are looking to invest in new fixtures or are in the early phase of planning a kitchen remodel, remember that good lighting will enhance your decor and make the space more functional.
Ultimately, the best lights will be ceiling light fixtures that combine your taste and design personality while making your space more practical!
