If lighting is the jewel of a room (and it is!), it's only natural that lighting trends come and go. Sure, changing out your lighting takes a bit more effort than swapping out your earrings, but compared to replacing your tiles or countertops, it's a relatively painless way to update your kitchen.
If you're looking to refresh your space this year, you're in luck. To find out what's in store for kitchen lighting in 2024, we asked designers and experts to share three lighting trends they think will be hot in the future, as well as their top picks for the upcoming season. do not have.
Kitchen lighting trends
1. Comfortable
Overall, designers and homeowners are trending toward cozier lighting in the kitchen. “We're seeing a shift toward more intimate, warmer lighting options, creating a cozy, living-room-like atmosphere,” says Dabito, the designer, artist, and author. Old and new: a colorful home for maximum living.
“Because the kitchen is a central gathering place, we recommend placing table lamps on the countertop, island, or shelves to create a softer atmosphere,” says Davit. “Instead of traditional task sconces, consider using natural fixtures that bring warmth to the space, like this Mitzi sconce. This approach will not only increase the functionality of your kitchen, but it will also make it a more inviting space for family and friends to enjoy.”
Elaine Thompson, a New York- and Charleston-based interior designer and principal of Pistachio Designs, agrees. “Small task lamps add a warm, cozy, and intimate feel to kitchen spaces,” says Thompson. Battery-powered lamps like these “are perfect for early mornings or late nights when you don't want to turn on all your overhead fixtures,” Thompson says. Plus, the lack of cords (and clutter) “gives you more flexibility to move light where you need it most.”
2. Vintage and antique lighting
Forget the big box stores: My favorite thing about the dining area of my new home are the vintage light fixtures that evoke the feel of a '50s home. “There's a growing trend towards incorporating vintage lighting by repurposing antique fixtures,” says Ellen Marie Bennett, founder and chief brand officer of Hedley & Bennett and host of Kitchen Glow Up.
“Homeowners and interior designers are drawn to the timeless appeal and craftsmanship of vintage pieces and are finding creative ways to incorporate them into modern spaces,” says Bennett. “Whether refurbishing an old chandelier as a focal point in a contemporary dining room or transforming a retro desk lamp into a stylish accent in a home office, this trend highlights a desire for unique, sustainable décor that tells a story. The move toward vintage lighting adds character and warmth to interiors, and also highlights a shift toward more thoughtful design choices.”
3. Visible Lighting
While functional recessed lights aren't going away anytime soon, some designers would like to see them replaced with visible lighting.
“We're thrilled to see decorative surface-mounted lighting continue to gain popularity in kitchens of all sizes,” says Noz Nozawa, principal designer and founder of Noz Design. “From small recessed fixtures that replace recessed can lights to megawatt statement chandeliers and oversized pendants above kitchen islands, we love visible kitchen lighting over discrete architectural lighting alone.”
But Nozawa also likes lighting that's practical. you It'll help you see your water in new and clever ways. “Another lighting feature I'd like to see more of in future kitchen lighting is 'night-light' toe kicks,” she says, which are low-power lights at the bottom of kitchen cabinets, “so that when you want to refill your water late at night, you don't have to sneak around in the dark and strain your eyes with the light.”
Kitchen lighting trend is coming to an end
Overly matched lighting
No one says your kitchen lighting has to look like a kitchen. When I moved into my new house, the original ceiling light had a bare bulb, but I brought in a floor lamp from the living room to add more light. Even after I replaced the ceiling fixture, I kept the lamp because I loved it so much (and now I rely on it to help me work on cloudy days).
This speaks to the trend of mixing and matching when it comes to kitchen lighting. “Matching décor is expected,” says Isabel Ladd of Isabel Ladd Interiors. “Mixing eclectic lighting in the kitchen creates a unique, curated, collective look,” says Ladd. The approach is simple: “Incorporate lighting traditionally found in other areas of the home, such as a library concept next to the stove, a living room lamp tucked under the counter, and a focal statement light (whether antique or simply stunning) over the island.”
When it comes to lighting questions, Rudd has a simple rule of thumb: “I ask myself: Does this light look like a kitchen light?“If it is, I won't use it! If the answer is 'No, it will work with the rest of the house,' then I know I've found the right combination!” Whether you agree with Ladd's creative thinking about kitchen lighting or simply want a cozier space, here you know the hottest lighting trends that are in (and out!) this year.
