9 Ways to Illuminate Your Kitchen Without Relying on Downlights
From industrial wall sconces and giant pendants to tiny globes, see how UK Houzz designers are lighting kitchens
Downlights – flush, mounted on or recessed into the ceiling – have been our go-to kitchen lighting for years. In a room where you need to see what you’re doing, they’re a practical and space-efficient brightener and can easily be combined with additional mood or task lighting.
However, they’re not the only way to go and there are plenty of alternative ideas for kitchen lighting. Looking for inspiration? See a selection of schemes from UK-based Houzz designers below.
However, they’re not the only way to go and there are plenty of alternative ideas for kitchen lighting. Looking for inspiration? See a selection of schemes from UK-based Houzz designers below.
2. Hang huge pendants above a kitchen island
This beachy kitchen in Sussex, UK, by Lisette Voute Designs features oversize island pendant lights in the style of lobster baskets. The natural texture of the shades – especially as they’re so big – really warms up the room.
Because the shades are not solid, they don’t block natural daylight and cast interesting shadows after dark. A non-solid pendant shade is a good idea for lighting that sits in front of patio doors, too.
This beachy kitchen in Sussex, UK, by Lisette Voute Designs features oversize island pendant lights in the style of lobster baskets. The natural texture of the shades – especially as they’re so big – really warms up the room.
Because the shades are not solid, they don’t block natural daylight and cast interesting shadows after dark. A non-solid pendant shade is a good idea for lighting that sits in front of patio doors, too.
3. Use industrial wall lights
This kitchen in a barn conversion in Edinburgh, Scotland, has a gorgeous stone wall that is part of the original building. As chasing or burying the wiring for lights inside the stonework wasn’t an option, designer Christopher Howard made a feature of it instead.
This solves the problem of how to provide enough illumination for the benchtops (as well as highlighting the beautiful stone) without having to fit overhead lighting on the steeply sloped ceiling. Plus, it adds an appropriate utilitarian note to the wall of a former working building.
Determined to update your kitchen? Find a dedicated kitchen designer near you, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
This kitchen in a barn conversion in Edinburgh, Scotland, has a gorgeous stone wall that is part of the original building. As chasing or burying the wiring for lights inside the stonework wasn’t an option, designer Christopher Howard made a feature of it instead.
This solves the problem of how to provide enough illumination for the benchtops (as well as highlighting the beautiful stone) without having to fit overhead lighting on the steeply sloped ceiling. Plus, it adds an appropriate utilitarian note to the wall of a former working building.
Determined to update your kitchen? Find a dedicated kitchen designer near you, browse images of their projects and read reviews from previous clients
4. Make use of angled track lights
Extra-large spotlights on a track are a sleek and practical solution in this small yet airy London kitchen designed by Amos Goldreich Architecture (seen here through the open shelving unit that separates it from the living space).
A ceiling with exposed beams and glazing right across poses a potential challenge in terms of where to hang or mount light fittings. This solution allows lights to be pointed at the two opposite benchtops and sits unobtrusively across the beams.
Extra-large spotlights on a track are a sleek and practical solution in this small yet airy London kitchen designed by Amos Goldreich Architecture (seen here through the open shelving unit that separates it from the living space).
A ceiling with exposed beams and glazing right across poses a potential challenge in terms of where to hang or mount light fittings. This solution allows lights to be pointed at the two opposite benchtops and sits unobtrusively across the beams.
5. Get gallery-style lighting
Although you can get tiltable downlights, this surface-mounted trio of spotlights, in a kitchen designed by Kitchen Connection of Ascot in Berkshire, UK, adds architectural interest and an art-gallery feel to a petite, one-wall space. Because they’re moveable, they can be positioned to point at the benchtop.
While these do add interest to the ceiling line, note that they also match the paint. A black version of the same lights would give a totally different look and would become a very definite feature, whereas these are more about function in subtle form.
Although you can get tiltable downlights, this surface-mounted trio of spotlights, in a kitchen designed by Kitchen Connection of Ascot in Berkshire, UK, adds architectural interest and an art-gallery feel to a petite, one-wall space. Because they’re moveable, they can be positioned to point at the benchtop.
While these do add interest to the ceiling line, note that they also match the paint. A black version of the same lights would give a totally different look and would become a very definite feature, whereas these are more about function in subtle form.
6. Slot LED strips into the ceiling
This innovative solution was part of a project in London run by MH Costa Construction. The feature ceiling, made of partially exposed timber joists, is accentuated by discreet LED strip lighting fitted into slots in the beams. This provides uniform illumination throughout the space.
The black wall sconces add task lighting in the kitchen as well as the option for a softer glow after dark, especially as they light up the texture of the brickwork.
This innovative solution was part of a project in London run by MH Costa Construction. The feature ceiling, made of partially exposed timber joists, is accentuated by discreet LED strip lighting fitted into slots in the beams. This provides uniform illumination throughout the space.
The black wall sconces add task lighting in the kitchen as well as the option for a softer glow after dark, especially as they light up the texture of the brickwork.
7. Plump for pendant lights above your benchtop
Benchtop lighting in the form of small pendants, as seen in this Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens design, can also work well.
While the dining space in a kitchen, and sometimes the island – as seen earlier – can take a large pendant, smaller shades may be the better option where task lighting is required.
Benchtop lighting in the form of small pendants, as seen in this Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens design, can also work well.
While the dining space in a kitchen, and sometimes the island – as seen earlier – can take a large pendant, smaller shades may be the better option where task lighting is required.
8. Hang statement lights low
Ceiling spotlights could have been tricky in this double-height UK kitchen, designed by Kitchen Architecture. Instead, it has a combination of lighting. Pendants hang on extra-long cables over the island, while industrial spotlights, which can be pivoted and directed to where they’re needed, are fitted at ceiling level to provide practical task lighting.
Note also the small wall light with a shade on the end wall: this area of the long benchtop is a desk space. The light means someone can save energy by using one dedicated wall sconce instead of all the lights scattered throughout the room, which also creates a cosy, focused atmosphere when using the kitchen for work.
Browse more kitchen island lighting that makes a statement
Ceiling spotlights could have been tricky in this double-height UK kitchen, designed by Kitchen Architecture. Instead, it has a combination of lighting. Pendants hang on extra-long cables over the island, while industrial spotlights, which can be pivoted and directed to where they’re needed, are fitted at ceiling level to provide practical task lighting.
Note also the small wall light with a shade on the end wall: this area of the long benchtop is a desk space. The light means someone can save energy by using one dedicated wall sconce instead of all the lights scattered throughout the room, which also creates a cosy, focused atmosphere when using the kitchen for work.
Browse more kitchen island lighting that makes a statement
9. Scatter ceiling globe lights
Rather than burying spotlights into the plaster of this colourful London kitchen ceiling, designers Office S&M chose small overhead spheres. In a compact room, where only a low number of ceiling lights is required, the ball shape adds a fun detail and one that emphasises the curves of the door design.
Your turn
What’s your best tip for lighting a kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more great interior design and architecture? See 15 Beautiful Renovations That Had Their Beginnings on Houzz
Rather than burying spotlights into the plaster of this colourful London kitchen ceiling, designers Office S&M chose small overhead spheres. In a compact room, where only a low number of ceiling lights is required, the ball shape adds a fun detail and one that emphasises the curves of the door design.
Your turn
What’s your best tip for lighting a kitchen? Share your ideas in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the renovation conversation.
More
Want more great interior design and architecture? See 15 Beautiful Renovations That Had Their Beginnings on Houzz
This characterful kitchen, designed by Mustard Architects in London, UK, successfully blends a range of lighting types, which also add colour to the space. There are downlights, but these are minimal and tucked between the painted ceiling beams.
Instead, the design makes a feature of all the lights. There’s a row of utilitarian grey wall lights running above the length of the flush units on the left, providing essential illumination for the contents of the cupboards. Over the island (and the kitchen table, out of shot) there are dark blue vintage industrial pendants on chunky chains. Finally, small orange vintage lamps on short, flexible arms light up the sink at the end of the space, as well as the benchtops on the right-hand wall.