Kitchen lighting trends have moved way beyond classic spotlights and simple pendants, the latest styles champion an inspiring mix of materials, colors and shapes, and show just how transformative and important the right lighting can be in a space.
As inspiring as many of this year’s kitchen trends are, not all of us are going to start from scratch in our existing spaces and embrace new countertops, cabinetry and color schemes. The beauty of kitchen lighting ideas is that they can often be easily swapped out to suit your latest taste, and they can work wonderfully to add a fresh new feel to your kitchen ideas.
This year’s kitchen lighting trends are all about making this busy hub of the home feel more warm and cozy, as well as helping the space look more characterful and in sync with your personal style.
The top 10 kitchen lighting trends picked by interior designers
Of course, many interior design trends come and go, but for our round-up of the latest kitchen lighting trends, we’ve spoken with a whole host of kitchen experts and designers to bring you the very best trends that are fresh, yet crafted for enduring longevity.
So, whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel or simply fancy replacing the existing lighting in your current scheme, these are the lighting looks to know about for 2024.
1. Using antique and vintage designs
(Image credit: Cortney Bishop)
In order to shop more sustainably, more and more of us are decorating with antiques and vintage in our homes, helping to bring a unique sense of character and history to the space, and one of the easiest ways you can bring vintage pieces into a kitchen is through lighting.
An eclectic mix of design features both old and new can make for the most interesting of designs, and decorating a kitchen with antique lighting will create a space that transcends trends.
Scarlett Hampton, co-founder of lighting design studio, lights&lamps says, ‘a shift towards aged brasses and patina bronze is evident, perhaps due to an increasing desire to add a touch of theatrical, vintage glamour to the home. Timeless in appearance, these rich and rustic details lend dimension to any kitchen scheme.’
Along with Niki Wright, UK-based lighting expert, Scarlett Hampton, founded lights&lamps to bring innovative, design-led lighting solutions to the lighting market.
2. Oversized pendant and ceiling lights
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Interior designer, Ginger Curtis, founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs, says ‘In 2024, we predict kitchen lighting trends with exaggerated scale and form to be favored. Whilst cones, domes, scalloped and domes create a striking focal point, they also can cast captivating patterns of light and shadow, enhancing the ambience of a room.’
This pretty pair of oversized pendants hang boldly over the kitchen island, drawing your focus to the island and helping to zone the space. We explore more kitchen island lighting ideas in our dedicated feature.
Rooted in simplicity and elevated by extraordinary beauty, interiors by Dallas-based Urbanology Designs bring organic luxury to life. Their soft, modern approach allows clients to relax in the warmth of a comfortable and crafted home. Their design-forward sensibility looks beyond today’s times, trends, and whims to create homes with longevity and intention.
3. A focus on natural materials
(Image credit: Lulu and Georgia)
Helen Pratt, design ambassador at Arteriors London says, ‘we have seen a growing trend of customers opting for natural materials in their lighting choices – a lovely touch as the illumination thrown around the room through a rattan or wicker shade can create a uniquely different feel than through fabric, often creating a more whimsical aesthetic.’
Filled with hard surfaces and practical appliances, kitchens can quickly become cold and clinical without the right styling and design ideas, and embracing lighting crafted from natural materials can establish a more rustic and grounded atmosphere; helping to make the space feel more soft, inviting and warm.
The use of wicker and rattan in interior design has been a popular trend over the last few years, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. A wonderful sense of warming texture has been introduced into this modern kitchen with the Lulu and Georgia Terrene Pendant, designed by Elan Byrd.
4. Sculptural statement pieces
(Image credit: Lanserring)
In rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens, it can sometimes be hard to find the space to bring in decorative accessories and pretty finishing touches. However, a statement pendant light or chandelier can work not only as a functional light source, but a beautiful design feature and focal point – and it won’t take up any valuable surface space.
Scott Richler, co-founder of lighting and furniture brand, Gabriel Scott, says, ‘we’re increasingly seeing a demand for lighting to be designed as sculptural art pieces. Statement chandeliers above kitchen counters or a dining table that are not only functional but are also a decorative work of art are a very popular request.’
Kitchen lighting can be so much more than simply providing practical illumination, it is a chance to truly express your style and enhance a space with a unique and artistic touch.
Scott Richler
Scott Richler founded Gabriel Scott, a contemporary lighting and furniture studio in Montreal, Canada, in 2012. Richler has a background in architecture, fashion and bespoke furniture design.
5. Layered lighting schemes
(Image credit: Harvey Jones)
Piero de Marchis, director at Detail Lighting says, ‘our homes are having to work harder for us than ever before, with an increase in spaces having multiple functions. From open-plan living rooms to kitchen-dining areas, the trend for installing multifunctional lighting that can be adapted to suit the room as it’s being used is set to continue to rise.
Perimeter lighting, separated from central lighting, can help to cleverly zone your kitchen, ideal if your space has a kitchen island or separate seating area. A layered lighting scheme can also help to change the overall mood of the kitchen.’
From practical spotlights to colorful wall lamps, a mix of lighting will always help to create a more useable and inviting kitchen space.
Clay Greenleigh Table Lamp
6. Creating a cozy feel with lamps
(Image credit: British Standard by Plain English)
Often associated with bedroom lighting ideas and living room lighting ideas, a table lamp can work just as well in the kitchen, provided that it is placed in an area that will not get in the way when cooking and preparing food.
As we have discussed with the importance of multi-functional lighting, the warm, cozy glow cast from a table lamp can help to transform a busy kitchen into a more calming space, ideal for positioning near comfy seating, on a countertop or beside a dining table.
Portable table lamps, such as this Trip Portable Lamp by ABC Home, offer you the flexibility and freedom of movement, perfect in a busy kitchen space. Housed on a shelf or windowsill, these designs can be easily transported to a table, seat space or even outdoors when required.
7. Embracing designs crafted from a mix of materials
(Image credit: Marie Flanigan Interiors/Julie Soefer)
Jo Plismy, founder of Gong gives her top advice on what she feels is next for kitchen lighting trends.
‘I believe the next big kitchen lighting trends will involve experimenting with new and different materials to make exciting and unique lighting designs. This will include using both newer high-tech materials and ancestral ones too.
‘The possibilities for materials used in the creation of lighting is endless and I think we will see innovation in the use of softer materials such as rattan and fabric as well as harder ones including steel, ceramic, resin, aluminum and even marble, which looks fantastic in a kitchen.
8. Enduring metallic designs
(Image credit: Interior by Phillip Thomas Inc, photograph Genevieve Garruppo)
Gary Singer, owner of Eggersmann says, ‘the kitchen lighting trend I’m noticing is a truly luxurious use of metallic lighting, which often complements existing design details in the kitchen space. For example, the chosen metallic finish of a range hood is also seen on barstools, lighting and cabinet handles, helping to create a sense of rhythm and balance. Instead of the lighting being seen as a separate statement element, it’s now all encompassing.’
9. Retro styles
(Image credit: deVOL)
The rise of incorporating antiques and vintage into our homes has seen many of us opt for more playful, retro lighting trends in our spaces.
If you’re looking to design a transitional kitchen where old and new styles come together in elegant harmony, opting for more nostalgic lighting can bring in that subtle sense of retro character – without making the space feel too dated or old fashioned.
We simply adore these traditional glass pendant lights in this colorful green kitchen by deVOL.
10. Opting for curvaceous forms over angular shapes
(Image credit: Studio McGee)
Curves are still at the front and center of interior design trends for 2024, with many designers opting for softer, free-flowing forms in order to establish a more relaxing and comfortable atmosphere in the home.
‘We tend to get wind of kitchen lighting trends early – we see surges in demand for particular elements, such as more natural materials, or statement pendants and at the moment we’re seeing a demand for sculptural lights and soft curves,’ says Charlie Bowles, director at Original BTC.
This kitchen lighting trend is a particular favorite of ours as kitchens tend to be made up of sharp angles – unless you opt for rounded corners on your island and cabinetry. We love these curvaceous Letterly Pendants by McGee & Co.
FAQs
What is the most popular kitchen lighting?
The most popular kitchen lighting is a mix of practical spotlights and wall lights with more decorative pendants, ceiling and table lights.
Charlie Bowles, Director of Original BTC says, ‘of course, it completely depends on the size of your kitchen and how you use the space, but often, just the one light source is not enough. From low hanging pendant lights over an island or dining table, to wall lights positioned above shelving or beside a workspace, think carefully about the different zones in your kitchen and whether they will benefit from practical, task lighting or more relaxed, ambient light.
Creative Director of Harvey Jones, Melissa Klink also says, ‘the trend for lighting within the kitchen industry is becoming smaller and more dedicated. Designing specified areas of function to create pools of task lighting from petite shaded pendants is much more popular than large-scale chandeliers that we used to see. Designing with purpose and intention is coming full force, especially with the consideration of light.’
What color light fixtures are in style?
Scarlett Hampton, co-founder of lights&lamps says, ‘we are seeing a shift to more grounded, earthy tones as well as more natural materials for lighting fixtures. We have reflected this trend by expanding our rattan collection, adding in linen fabrics, and combining them with earthy colored marble or chocolatey dyed concrete. Moving into 2024, our palette will carry this further with the introduction of a warmer bronze metal finish to our collections.’
As well as more grounding color trends rooted in nature, this year will also see a rise in a confident use of color.
Thinking carefully about how the color and material of your chosen light fixtures can enhance your overall design scheme will make for a more coherent and stylish look.
Are recessed lights still a kitchen lighting trend?
Yes recessed lights are still a kitchen lighting trend, but not on their own – they work well, functionally, over countertops and island bars, but are best used alongside other lighting options like pendants and wall lights to add character. This way you create a layered look that covers all key areas of the kitchen, too.
If you’re feeling inspired by our round-up of the latest kitchen lighting trends, but want to be sure you have the right amount of lighting in your space, we explore in our dedicated feature, how many lights should there be in a kitchen?
