There are many elements that work together in a cohesive kitchen design. Layout, storage, materials, accessories, and lighting all shape how the room feels and functions, and lighting is one of the most overlooked.

A layered lighting scheme is a key part of getting a kitchen right. Plan it as part of the design, not as an afterthought, so every area is properly illuminated and the room never feels flat. Take fixture placement, color, materials, and styles into account at the design stage.

Envisioning lighting at the planning stage means it can balance form and function: enhance the design, support every task, and set the mood. The right lighting takes a kitchen from dull to warm, welcoming, and high-performing.

Here are popular lighting styles that transform a kitchen with the flick of a switch.

Rustic Style

Rustic lighting is about warmth and character: weathered wood beams stained dark, exposed Edison bulbs casting a warm golden glow, rubbed bronze metals that pair with vintage leather and homey rugs. Matte black hardware in lighting fixtures works well in rustic design and ties the space together.

Mid-Century Modern Style

Mid-century modern embraces clean lines with dramatic flair. Vintage brass, glamorous arched floor lamps, and sputnik chandeliers add real character. Oversized drum shades in bright colors create a focal point wherever they hang. Pop of color or blended into the palette, both work.

Bohemian Style

Bohemian lighting uses natural and ethically sourced materials with inspiration from far-flung places. Paper, rattan, or silk add texture and personality. Lanterns or pendants work well, and fittings can incorporate beading, embroidery, or fringe for a whimsical touch. The result is welcoming and grounded, connected to nature and global culture.

Industrial Style

Exposed Edison bulbs are also a feature of industrial lighting. Metal bar stools complement metal fixtures, with matte black working particularly well. Wire cages, antique brass, or cast iron suit an industrial kitchen. Functionality is the focus, with exposed pipes and brick around minimalist fixtures and a warm glow.

Coastal Style

Coastal style is popular on the South Shore for its bright, breezy character. The function of coastal lighting is to bounce light around the room, much like sun reflecting off the ocean. Glass chandeliers, driftwood, and rattan are ideal materials. Brass or gold hardware adds a maritime feel that suits a Hingham, Cohasset, or Scituate home well.

Farmhouse Style

Farmhouse style is homely and practical, welcoming and cozy. It celebrates relics from the past, with new fixtures designed to look repurposed (mason jars, for example). Distressed wood works beautifully in unexpected fixtures like a chandelier. Combine vintage pieces with new farmhouse design elements for a cozy, polished kitchen.

Traditional Style

Traditional lighting focuses on a few key details. Candle-shaped bulbs, double-armed sconces, pleated pendants, and crystal chandeliers all bring old-fashioned opulence to a kitchen. Classic fixtures pair well with traditional lanterns and shades. Floral details or engraved metal add character.

Contemporary Style

Sculpted, modern shapes in metal or natural stone give contemporary lighting its forward-looking feel. Clean lines suit striking floor lamps. Matte textures and simple colors work well in groupings of pendants, where the lighting itself becomes the focus.

Create a Focal Point

Lighting fixtures have become daring. Homeowners want maximum impact with unusual fixtures in innovative materials. Lighting is being treated as art as well as function. The material, shape, style, texture, and color of each fixture elevates the space and introduces visual interest. Consider each element of the lighting plan as part of the room's design.

Try a Sculptural Piece

Sculptural lights are increasingly used to create focal points. This statement lighting is a modern, organic addition to a kitchen. It's sculpted with flowing lines that resemble shapes from the natural world. Using environmental influences brings a calming feel to a kitchen, with curves, arches, and corners that echo water movement or mountain peaks.

Customize for the Look You Want

Specially commissioned lighting plans are increasingly common. Homeowners want kitchen designs that are unique to them and that fulfill specific needs. With lighting planned at the design stage, wiring can be concealed behind walls or under floors. Lighting can be built into shelving and walls for a multi-layered look that draws the eye around the room.

Create The Right Mood

Layering creates the mood you want at any time. Lamps, candles, string lighting, accent and spotlighting all add coziness. Ambient lighting around the space, combined with dimmer switches or smart controls, lets you change the room's mood easily. This is especially true in open-plan kitchens where multifunctionality benefits from flexible lighting.

Incorporate Smart Lighting

Smart lighting is now common in modern homes. Open plan kitchen and living areas need adaptable, multifunctional lighting. Voice-activated and motion-sensing lighting can be customized for ease of use and energy efficiency. Smart lighting can be managed from a phone or tablet to set the right mood for any time of day or event.

Artificial daylight, used in commercial settings for years, is making its way into residential kitchen design. It emulates sunlight tones throughout the day, used to enhance a space or completely illuminate it.

Be Brave with Your Choice of Materials

Lighting trends are leaning toward unusual materials. Tactile materials like rattan or wicker suit coastal or organic-inspired kitchens. Industrial looks incorporate concrete, metals, and smoked glass. Brass is increasingly popular. In faucets and hardware it usually has a brushed finish, but in lighting fixtures it can have a mirrored surface, as it's less handled and less prone to fingerprints. The result is a glamorous Art Deco look that's also practical because it reflects light around the room.

Go Large with a Pendant

An oversized pendant remains a stylish way to create a focal point. Large, sculptural shapes are at the forefront, and oversized pendants fit the bill. Well-crafted, opulent fittings draw the eye to a part of the design that deserves attention. Match the pendant to the wall color to focus on its form, or contrast it for emphasis. Over an island or a dining table, an oversized pendant gives the gathering place an overhead design statement.

Inject Glamor with a Chandelier

Traditional chandeliers bring timeless elegance and luxury to any space. We tend to associate them with grand old houses or formal settings, but a chandelier can work beautifully in a modern kitchen. They create a contrast that mixes past and present. They can be opulent with many components, or sleek and flush to the ceiling. Pair with warm metals like gold, copper, or brass, and reflective materials like marble or polished solid wood, for a look that catches the light.

Talk through lighting with a designer

Lighting is one of the details that distinguishes a thoughtfully designed kitchen from one that just has the right cabinets. If you're planning a kitchen and want to talk through lighting options, we'd love to talk.

Schedule a showroom visit at our 5,000 square foot showroom in Norwell. No pressure, just a real conversation about your home.

Transitions Kitchens, Baths & Remodeling
433 Washington St, Norwell, MA
(781) 871-0881