There’s no denying it: illumination is a key factor in any room. You need to see what you’re doing, but even more so in the kitchen – sharp knives aren’t the best things to handle in the dark.

Kitchen lighting ideas come in many forms, but there are three key functions.

Task illumination is intense, direct, and focused on one particular area, so you can be sure you have a clear view of everything when you chop, slice, grate and more.

Ambient lighting creates a softer feel and is ideal for setting the mood during dinner parties and afterwards.

And finally, accent illumination does exactly what it says on the tin: highlight specific features in your room. This can go hand in hand with ambient solution, but doesn’t have to.

There’s no hard and fast rule as to what fixture fits which kitchen lighting ideas. Pendants, for example, can be great for task illumination – but depending on the model (and whether you put it on a dimmer switch), it can also create an ambient glow.

That’s another key lesson of kitchen lighting, by the way. Have different circuits for different needs, so you can easily switch from task to ambient illumination.

But what is out there in terms designs? Here are some of the latest designs…

Kitchen lighting ideas

Pendants are great above a dining area, but can also create ideal pools of task lighting. Jonathan Adler‘s Miami design, £1295, is a stylish centrepiece that is sure to draw attention. The frosted glass cylinder shade is surrounded by a metal cage dotted with colourful squares. This is perfect to bring some bright (but still muted) pops into your space. It is shown here with the Caprice counter stool, £900 each.

Pendants are forever one of the most popular kitchen lighting ideas. So these Hatton 3 designs, £379 each, from Original BTC are no exception. Looking like delicate folded paper, they’re actually made from elegant bone china. This creates a beautiful glow and is great for setting the mood. Group pendants in clusters of three for a classic look or feel free to add your own spin by hanging them at separate heights or placing them closer together.

A different kind of suspension pendant takes centre stage in this scheme, designed by Scavolini by Multiliving. But that’s not everything, as it mixes multiple kitchen lighting ideas. The illuminated bar is ideal for creating a cool yet cosy atmosphere at night, with the mirrored splashback bouncing the glow around the kitchen. And the statement black extractor hood also serves double duty. This is thanks to built-in LED kitchen lighting that illuminates the hob below, perfect as a task solution. Price on application.

Add an industrial twist by choosing a long pendant light stretching across your island. It will add the ideal task lighting, as it is highly focused directly on the area below. But it can also elevate your scheme by either strengthening an industrial look or adding a strong contrast. Life Kitchens designs start from £25,000.

Spider pendants are all the rage when it comes to kitchen lighting ideas, but they don’t have to involve wires. This design in a kitchen by Ledbury Studio, for example, creates a similar effect. Its neutral white shades create an ambient glow ideal for dinner. Supported by plenty of task kitchen lighting around the perimeter, it results in a scheme ideal for entertaining. Price on application.

One of our favourite kitchen lighting ideas, illumination to glass-fronted units is a surefire way of creating a cosy atmosphere – plus it allows you to showcase favourite crockery or design highlights. This cabinet features Benchmarx Kitchens‘ Sensio Glow shelf lighted correlated colour temperature, priced £100.66.

Illuminated finger pulls are an excellent idea to not only create ambiance, but also highlight design features. This is Pronorm’s new i-Luminate handleless kitchen. It bathes your space in different kinds of light, depending on the time of day, desired ambiance, use, and emotion. LED lighting element within the handle channel diffuses the light along the door for an ambient glow that can be adjusted to create different moods and even work as task lighting. Price on application.

Featured image: Cradle five-light bar in matt black with opal glass, £105, Där Lighting.

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