How To Light A Kitchen Island
The purpose of the kitchen in many homes over the years has changed. It no longer serves as just a practical space for cooking, but also needs to be a stylish and welcoming space for people to spend time in.
The kitchen island in particular is not only a spot where dishes are washed or dinner is prepped, but we find ourselves eating, socialising, studying and working there too. So it’s important that such a high use and multifunctional space, gets the lighting love it deserves.
Take a look below at some of our top tips and the lighting styles we recommend you explore to get the most out of your kitchen island or breakfast bar.
1. Statement Pendants
Statement pendant lights can be a striking and functional light source. Not only can they provide practical task lighting, but they can also create a visual appeal that brings design flair and draws attention to a focal point of the room - the kitchen island.
The size of your kitchen and the island itself will play a key role in the style of statement pendant you choose. There are so many quality pendant designs and finishes to consider, from contemporary metallic mesh, to modern monochrome, to classic brass fittings, alabaster glass and much more. Just remember even when selecting a statement piece, you don't want to fitting to overpower to room, so choose wisely!
One of the benefits of using the single statement pendant option, is that you only have to worry about the placement of one fitting (you don't have to calculate spacing or height adjustments for lots of smaller lighting options). And, you can easily change the lighting impact your statement piece has by choosing an option that is dimmable - or one that has replaceable bulbs. Allowing you to change the ambience of your room simply by changing the bulb.
Sybil Pendant Sylvia Pendant Decorative Pendant Retro Modern Pendant
2. Suspended Strip Lighting
If you're looking for a sleek and simple solution, then suspended strip lights could be a great option for your space.
The humble strip light suspended centrally over your island offers a minimalist aesthetic while providing ample, practical light. The streamlined design means they wont overpower your space, while still providing a valuable task light for those high use spaces.
A great benefit to this type of fitting is they are designed to be easily height adjustable. Meaning you can adapt the height of the suspension cables at installation, to ensure the perfect height for your unique space.
Suspension strip lights are available in lots of different lengths and finishes. Assuring no matter the size of your island, or the colour of your decor, you're sure to find a model to suit your needs.
Suspension Mount Strip Light LED Suspension Mount Strip Light Mini LED Strip Lights
3. Track Lighting
Go contemporary and understated with modern track lighting above your kitchen island. It's an unexpected option for many, but a particularly good way to highlight an extra long island.
If you have the power supply in an unusual or difficult spot, track lights allow you to place lighting more conveniently without having to re-line the ceiling.
One of the big benefits to track lighting systems is their versatility and adjustability. As the name suggests, you can slide track lights along their track, and position them at equal (or not) intervals until you get the best coverage for your space. This also means your track doesn't have to just cover your island or breakfast bar, you can extend the system further into the kitchen (as shown in the image below) to cover a wider area!
Plus, the majority of track heads are adjustable through tilting and turning the head. Allowing you control over each individual heads light direction.
15Watt LED Track Light MR16 Track Spotlight 9Watt LED Track Light
4. Single Pendants: Linear or Cluster
Single pendants are a great way to bring design and personality to the space, while also providing much needed lighting to the area.
You have a range of mounting options when it comes to utilising single pendants in this type of space: from hanging a solo pendant centrally, to hanging odd numbered pendants in linear formations across the length of the breakfast bar. Or if you have high ceilings, you could also try clustering the pendants at differing heights to create a bold lighting focal point of the room.
Each formation for hanging the pendants will have a different lighting impact on your space. So you should keep in mind the length of your kitchen island and the size of the pendant you'd like to use when making a decision.
A great benefit to replaceable bulb pendants, is that you can change the lighting tone and effect of the space by simply switching out the bulb for a different colour temperature!
Top Tip: if you're working with a smaller space and want multiple lights, go with glass for an open and airy-looking material that won't overpower the rest of the kitchen.
Edwin Pendant Mida Pendant Martina Pendant Nojord Pendant Clifford Pendant Modern Pendant Fisherman Pendant
5. Surface Mount Downlights
If you're looking for a sleek, simple and minimalist approach to kitchen island lighting, then the Surface Mounted Downlight could be the right fit for you.
The humble downlight may have a reputation for being simply functional, but surface mounted downlights can also add to the overall aesthetics of the room too.
Like our Silo Downlights shown in the image below. The length of the fitting and the contrasting colour compared to it's surroundings add a layer of light and design to the room. While the ability to tilt and turn the heads gives you the freedom to direct light as and where it's needed in your space.
Silo 10W Downlight/Spotlight Equator 10W Downlight Titaha 30W Downlight/Spotlight
6. Layered Lighting: Hidden Strip Lighting
To really add a thoughtful design edge to your space, why not try out some hidden strip lighting under the ledges of your kitchen island?
This method of 'hidden strip lighting' not only looks great and adds another layer of lighting to the space, but also helps to create brighter, welcoming atmosphere too.
This effect can be easy to create too. Simply use streamlined strip lights such as our 'Dual' or 'Diva' models to line the ledge/lip of your island. This way, the light fitting itself is hidden, but you create an eye catching lighting effect when the strip lights are switched on!
Models within our 'Diva' and 'Dual' range are also dimmable, so you can adjust the light level based on the ambience you are trying to create.
Diva Strip Light Range Dual Strip Light Range 10Watt LED Strip Light
Note: You may also be interested in reading our article on 'How To Light A Kitchen', which you can find here.