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Pro Panel: 9 Modern Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Planning a new kitchen? Three design experts reveal the latest must-know lighting looks for contemporary cooking spaces

Georgia Madden
Georgia MaddenMarch 17, 2020
Senior writer, Houzz Australia
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A well-lit kitchen delivers on both style and functionality – we’ve asked three lighting and design experts to reveal the brightest looks of the moment and how best to use them in your cooking space.
Bryant Alsop Architects
    1. Slender lines
        Sleek, linear pendants are having a moment, says Adele Locke, lighting designer at Mint Lighting Design. “People are looking for lights that are minimalist and unobtrusive. Think a sleek pendant over a kitchen island that gently spreads light up to the ceiling and down to the bench,” she says.

      This look works particularly well in busy kitchens, she says. “When there’s a lot going on in a room, the less visual clutter you have on the ceiling, the better.”
Mint Lighting Design
Image by Justin Cooper

2. Big + bold
At the other end of the style spectrum, statement pendants are still proving popular, says Locke. “The kitchen island has taken over from the dining table as the key feature lighting location – particularly in open-plan rooms,” she says.

“People want individuality; they’re working with lighting designers to create truly bespoke lights for their kitchens,” says Maria Cerne, principal at Studio Black Interiors.
Studio Black Interiors
3. Striking finishes
“A unique light fixture can completely transform your kitchen,” says Cerne. “Geometric and organic shapes, beading and metallic finishes are all big for 2020.”

“Hanging a group of decorative pendants is a great way to add interest to your kitchen and soften the harsh lines,” says Celina Clarke, lighting designer at ISM Objects.

Need a hand? Find a local lighting designer and supplier on Houzz who can help you set the perfect mood for cooking and entertaining
Shere Kitchens
4. Lighting inside joinery
Practical and appealing, fully functional joinery lighting is something we can expect to see more of, says Locke. “Integrating lighting into kitchen joinery allows your cupboards to act the same way as a fridge, where the lights switch on as soon as you open the door. This means you don’t need as much lighting in the ceiling,” says Locke.
Nina Maya Interiors
5. Soft, concealed lighting
Harsh lighting is out, while gentle, concealed illumination is in, says Locke. “Discreet and diffuse light hidden in the ceiling and/or bulkheads is a magical way to light a kitchen, and it keeps your ceiling clean and uncluttered.”

Positive Vibrations: How to Choose Lighting for Optimal Wellbeing
R ARCHITECTURE
6. Asymmetrical positioning
Forget the middle of the kitchen island – the latest pendants are resolutely off-centre, says Locke. The result? Lighting that provides a gentle wash of illumination not just to the benchtop, but into neighbouring dining and living spaces too. “Choosing a dramatic, statement light and hanging it asymmetrically over your island allows you to transform the way your open-plan living area looks and feels after dark,” says Locke.
GIA Bathrooms & Kitchens
7. Connectivity
“Smart lighting is becoming easier and more commonplace in kitchens,” says Locke. Cerne concurs, adding; “You can turn your lights on and off in different rooms with a simple voice command, as well as adjust light strength and colour temperature from your phone.” Smart lighting has made significant leaps in recent years.

“The biggest advantage is scene setting: smart lighting allows you to transform a room at the flick of a switch into different modes, such as cook, party or chill modes,” says Locke. “As well as the many hard-wired options available, you can now find simple plug-and-play systems too, which give you total control over your lighting from your smart phone.”

The Verdict: 5 Smart-Home Ideas Worth Adopting
NProjects
8. LED strips
Today’s kitchen designers are using versatile, concealed LED strip lights to up the luxe factor in kitchens, says Clarke. “They’re a simple addition, but can really add a sense of luxury to the space,” she says.

“As LED strips can be used almost anywhere, they’re very practical too,” says Cerne. “Add them to the underside of your overhead cabinetry to softly illuminate your benchtops. Or, use them on open shelves to showcase beautiful glassware or dinnerware. Alternatively, make your kitchen island appear to float by putting them in the gap between the island and floor,” she says.

But while it’s tempting to light multiple features, Clarke urges people to be discerning. “Just use restraint and resist the urge to light everything,” she says.
Residential Attitudes
9. Maximum flexibility
Rather than an ill-considered grid of spotlights on the ceiling, the latest trends favour tailored lighting that provides task illumination exactly where you need it, says Locke. “Think focused light over the benchtop with different switching options that allow you to change lighting levels and mood, depending on how you’re using the kitchen,” she says.

“With the rise of open-plan kitchen/living/dining rooms, lighting is also being used to zone spaces and highlight architectural features,” says Cerne. “We’re also seeing fixtures of the same material or colour being used in the kitchen and adjoining spaces to create a sense of flow between the different areas.”
Synergy Building Design
“When planning your kitchen lighting, think beyond cooking and consider exactly how you use the space,” says Clarke. “Add in additional switches and dimmers so you can alter the atmosphere, and choose lighting with warm colour temperatures of 2700K or 3000K.”
zooi design
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