20 Brilliant Ideas for Modern Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen lighting plays an important role in the overall interior design. Both practicality and decorativeness should be equally considered when planning the lighting scheme for a modern kitchen. The rule of thumb is to properly combine general, accent and task lighting. Beautiful contemporary pendant lights are usually used over a kitchen island and can be a great focal point of the room while being practical too, as they provide a sufficient lighting of a work surface. But some more light sources should be added to complete the right lighting scheme of a modern kitchen. Under cabinet lighting, wall lamps, recessed lighting, track lighting system can be installed for both functional and decorative purposes. Mixing different light sources together is vital for the proper contemporary kitchen lighting. Moreover, many homeowners combine kitchen with a dining room thus creating a large dining area. In such cases proper lighting is even more important because your family and guests will spend a lot of time in this place, and besides functionality and decorativeness, the light should also provide an entertaining atmosphere.

modern kitchen lighting (tap to enlarge)

Almost any kitchen can be renovated in accordance with contemporary design ideas, in case if you prefer modern style rather than traditional designs. First of all, think over the concept of modern kitchen lighting, especially if it is combined with a dining area. This place should be both attractive and practical, so be sure to install different light sources for all possible situations. Some lights can create a soft diffused ambient light for romantic ambience, while other sources can illuminate the working areas properly. Again, only a well-thought-out combination of different types of lighting will create the appropriate lighting scheme in contemporary kitchen.

Let's take a closer look at these different type of modern kitchen lighting:

General lighting should provide a nice inviting flood light from above. Usually different types of ceiling lights are used for this purpose, such as chandeliers, pendant lights, flush mounted lights, recessed lights and many others. These lights are usually not used when there's enough daylight through the window.

Accent lights, or as they are sometimes called, design lights are used to set the mood in a room. These lights are not too bright and should not be used to illuminate the whole kitchen. Accent lights are used in decorative purposes, they can highlight some spots in a kitchen, accentuate certain colors or light up a focal point if you want to. Often designer lamps or light fixtures are used for accent lighting, as they draw attention and are an important part of interior design.

Task lighting is usually less decorative but sometimes even more important, as working areas should always be perfectly lit. Completely forget the aesthetic side is a bad idea though. Luckily there are loads of awesome lighting products on the market today that can be used as task lights in a contemporary kitchen. Pendant lights are used for kitchen island lighting and dining table lighting, under cabinet LED lights can perfectly illuminate countertops, anglepoise lamps can be easily adjusted to direct the ray of light to the needed area, and track lighting can be used for all of these purposes.

So remember to combine different types of lighting when deciding on your lighting scheme, and you'll definitely create some unique, beautiful and effective modern kitchen lighting design.

20 Ideas for Modern Kitchen Lighting:

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1

Three silver pendants are installed in a row over a dining table, making this airy modern kitchen cozy and inviting.

2

This single black pendant light over black and white modern kitchen island looks beautiful. It fully complements the style of this gorgeous kitchen.

3

This black and white modern kitchen looks fantastic, still the set of copper pendants is just what the doctor ordered for it. These lights create the focal point of this room.

4

A fabulous LED backlight creates a unique pleasing ambience in this ultra modern kitchen. The lighting scheme is complemented with recessed ceiling lights and a gorgeous wall sconce.

5

This comfortable white kitchen is decorated with a splendid art glass pendant light over a dining table. The other light sources are ceiling recessed lights and under cabinet LED lighting.

6

Pay attention to these magnificent sphere-shaped pendant lights over a dining table. They prevent the room from being a bit monotonous. As a result, this modern kitchen is good-looking and cozy.

7

This beautiful white kitchen is lit by the recessed ceiling lights. The working surface is illuminated by the under cabinet lighting, and a nice black pendant completes the scheme.

8

This kitchen owes its impressive appearance to a set of exquisite pendant lights.

9

This staggering modern kitchen is decorated with an amazing pendant light over a dining table. The sufficient ambient light is provided by recessed LED lights.

10

The interior design of this room looks sophisticated because of a pair of remarkable copper pendant lights over a countertop.

11

A stunning white oversized pendant light over a countertop adds life to this pretty modern kitchen.

12

Another example of an ultramodern large pendant over a countertop. The light is combined with a cooker hood, thus being not only decorative but also a very practical solution.

13

This incredible modern kitchen wouldn't look so great without the eye-catching pendant light installed over the working surface.

14

Antique-looking wall lamps together with the same lamp installed on the ceiling create an absolutely unique ambience in a beautiful white kitchen. A few vintage details make this room so distinctive.

15

A dramatic pendant light over a dining table is more of a decorative detail. Recessed LED lights produce additional light, as well as a table lamp on a windowsill. Different light sources have separate switches which is a smart energy-saving solution.

16

To make a modern kitchen look picturesque, add a vintage-looking pendant light. Such fusion of modern and antique elements can be really breathtaking.

17

The lighting scheme of this kitchen is really sophisticated. A beautiful red and white pendant light over a dining table adds color to the room, while the other light sources such as recessed lights and a flush mounted ceiling light produce enough light for any occasion.

18

This light blue kitchen looks absolutely delightful. A gorgeous oversized pendant is a focal point of this room. LED under cabinet lights add some style and illuminate the task areas.

19

This spacious modern kitchen looks absolutely astonishing largely due to a set of staggering black pendant lights over a dining table and another set of industrial lamps installed over a countertop.

20

An impressive design of this white modern kitchen is underlined by marvelous gold pendant lighting. The combination of white and gold is definitely worthy of attention when it is well-thought-out.