25 Kitchen Island Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Prep Station
Find the best type of fixtures, from hanging shades and woven pendants to modern chandeliers.
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Not only is proper kitchen lighting essential for food prep, cooking and serving, the fixtures over an island often serve as the focal point of any kitchen design. Whether you're working with a tiny kitchen layout or decorating a luxury interior, your lighting is meant to tell a story. Suspend an oversized pendant over your small kitchen island to draw the eye upward, hang a hand-woven fixture to add instant character or go for a sputnik chandelier to create a modern moment. No matter your home style, you're sure to find kitchen island lighting ideas to love — plus keep your eyes peeled for a few of our favorite fixtures you can shop online.
Let your lighting serve as artwork of the kitchen. Natural weave pendants pair well with farmhouse and rustic country kitchens, chrome details shine bright in white kitchens and matte black hardware complements most modern interiors. You'll find that gold hardware remains trendy for almost any home design — with popular styles ranging from simple globe pendants to lantern lighting. If you prefer a more traditional aesthetic, take your pick of clear glass pendants and linear chandeliers that don't make as big of a statement. We've also included inspiring ideas on par with this year's kitchen trends — expect to see mixed metals, bolder colors and handmade artisan details.
Gold Globes
With a mid-century feel, these globe pendants are suspended by multiple gold chains and look great as a pair. To complement the style, Unique Kitchen & Baths selects gold cabinet hardware and a textured range hood.
Amber Crystal
Complete with teal cabinets and vibrant rugs, this eclectic kitchen is full of color and energy. Designer Crystal Blackshaw takes it further with an amber sputnik globe chandelier that serves as the room's focal point.
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Natural Weave
A hand-woven pendant brings instant charm and character into a space. Here, Brogdon Builders chooses a natural and black woven fixture — which serves as contrast to the modern countertops and fixtures.
Clear Glass
Modern and minimal, these glass pendants are suspended by gold chains — which pair nicely with the nearby sconces and hardware. The clear glass allows ample light to shine through the fixture.
Black and Brass
Don't settle for one metal finish. Matte black and gold pair beautifully, and do a great job of bringing this contemporary space together.
Oyster Shells
Bring the beauty of nature into your home with a unique fixture crafted from real oyster shells. To complete the look, Nesting Place Interiors adds shell decor and driftwood onto the countertop below.
Chrome Details
Silver and white is a classic color combination for the kitchen, but Heritage Home brings in an industrial feel with chrome bar stools and a trio of caged pendants.
Beaded Chandeliers
Whether you're going for a modern or farmhouse style, a beaded light fixture adds texture while illuminating your space. Here, Nesting Place Interiors opts for a round, three-tier design over the lengthy island.
Copper Pendants
Exuding an industrial feel, copper is a non-traditional finish for lighting fixtures — but that's what makes it an exciting choice. Take a note from Mialani Interiors and find a rustic copper pendant with a matte black stem.
Canvas Drum Pendants
Here, M. Elle Design blends rustic design (most notably the raw wood beam ceilings) with modern features. The large conical drum pendants make a statement and tie the entire space together.
Vintage Lantern
Give your space a farmhouse feel with a pair of distressed pendants, whether you found the fixtures at a local antique shop or bought vintage-style pendants from your favorite retailer. Vintage lanterns aside, Dodson Interiors keeps the rest of this space very modern.
Classic Lanterns
From modern and minimal kitchen to farmhouse and Art Deco designs, lantern-style lighting is here to stay. Here, Meredith Owen selects a caged gold candelabra design.
Modern Moment
A linear sputnik chandelier is perfect over a long, narrow counter. The clusters of globe-shaped lights inject a ton of personality into this modern interior designed by Tiffani Baumgart.
Oversized Pendant
While you might not think to pair a small kitchen island with an oversized pendant, the combination works so well. Try a big, dome shade and it'll instantly become a talking point of your kitchen.
Adjustable Pendants
Illuminate your prep station with adjustable pendants, which can tilt and turn to fit your daily needs. Plus, these gold and wicker pendants definitely don't sacrifice on style.
Woven Pendants
Embrace natural textures with open-weave pendants, then bring in woven back counter stools like Collected Interiors does here to elevate the look.
Mixed Metals
Play up the drama with these black and gold starburst chandeliers. To take it up a notch, Alluring Designs Chicago weaves in black cabinetry and velvet green counter stools.
Multi-Light Pendant
Create the feel of multiple pendants with a two-light fixture, which can look modern, rustic or traditional depending on your style. Here, Unique Kitchen & Baths creates a vintage-inspired design.
Black Linear Chandelier
Stick with clean lines, as Thomas Guy Interiors does here with a matte black linear chandelier. While this fixture may not be the statement piece of the room, it certainly elevates the design.
Aged Brass
Whether with brushed or hammered brass, an aged pendant adds texture and color to a neutral kitchen. In this bright space, designer Meredith Owen uses three large brass fixtures to lend contrast to the bright white counters and simple hardware.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
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