5 Ideas for Kitchen Island Pendants That Go Against the Grain
Pendants lights are the perfect way to explore creativity in the kitchen
Kate Burt
29 January 2019
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
You don’t always have to go for the obvious task lighting or ceiling spots to cast light on your kitchen island. Check out these alternative ideas that will add some interest – as well as illumination – to your work surface.
1. Stand out on a budget
This pale, airy room shows that you really don’t need to assume ‘statement pendant’ equals ‘loadsamoney’. Here, it’s the unexpected nature of two very simple matching lampshades that gives this open-plan room a designer feel.
Paper lampshades are just about the most purse-friendly option you’ll find, but choose giant ones and you’re starting to shake things up a little. Put them in an unconventional spot – and as a double or triple act – and things will get more interesting still.
The soft, diffused light they give off is perhaps not the obvious choice for task lighting, but here you’ll see that the lamps are above the island sink (above a stove, for fire safety and extraction reasons, would probably not be wise), while cooking and plenty of workspace are behind them, and can have their own task lighting.
Put your pendants on dimmers so you can create bright light when needed and mood lighting the rest of the time. Kitchens need atmosphere, too!
This pale, airy room shows that you really don’t need to assume ‘statement pendant’ equals ‘loadsamoney’. Here, it’s the unexpected nature of two very simple matching lampshades that gives this open-plan room a designer feel.
Paper lampshades are just about the most purse-friendly option you’ll find, but choose giant ones and you’re starting to shake things up a little. Put them in an unconventional spot – and as a double or triple act – and things will get more interesting still.
The soft, diffused light they give off is perhaps not the obvious choice for task lighting, but here you’ll see that the lamps are above the island sink (above a stove, for fire safety and extraction reasons, would probably not be wise), while cooking and plenty of workspace are behind them, and can have their own task lighting.
Put your pendants on dimmers so you can create bright light when needed and mood lighting the rest of the time. Kitchens need atmosphere, too!
2. Reflect your surroundings
Although this kitchen is a clean-lined and contemporary space, the addition of these giant wicker shades, reminiscent of lobster baskets, is a touch that adds depth and atmosphere, along with the wooden chairs and accessories and the wall panelling.
For authenticity, you may be able to find something in a suitable shape – an actual vintage lobster basket, for example – that a savvy electrician will be able to turn into a shade for you.
Lots of places sell cool individual lighting components – from ceiling roses to interesting cables and characterful bulb holders – so you can really let your inner designer have some fun.
Although this kitchen is a clean-lined and contemporary space, the addition of these giant wicker shades, reminiscent of lobster baskets, is a touch that adds depth and atmosphere, along with the wooden chairs and accessories and the wall panelling.
For authenticity, you may be able to find something in a suitable shape – an actual vintage lobster basket, for example – that a savvy electrician will be able to turn into a shade for you.
Lots of places sell cool individual lighting components – from ceiling roses to interesting cables and characterful bulb holders – so you can really let your inner designer have some fun.
3. Employ the power of one
When you have a small island like this one, there’s nothing to stop you going with just one overhead light. For max illumination as well as style, choose a design that allows you to show off a bare filament-type bulb in all its glory.
Click on the photo to view the rest of this kitchen, where you’ll see the designers have also included a peninsula unit with a more conventional row of pendants, too.
A kitchen designer reveals 17 details to make a great kitchen
When you have a small island like this one, there’s nothing to stop you going with just one overhead light. For max illumination as well as style, choose a design that allows you to show off a bare filament-type bulb in all its glory.
Click on the photo to view the rest of this kitchen, where you’ll see the designers have also included a peninsula unit with a more conventional row of pendants, too.
A kitchen designer reveals 17 details to make a great kitchen
4. Go forth and multiply
Found a pendant you love? Buy them all! Just as in gardening, where planting lots of the same type of shrub can give a rich yet uncluttered look, adding multiples of one particular accessory to a room can make for a stylishly pulled-together scheme.
Choosing a barely there design, like these delicate Moooi Random shades or something that matches the colour of your walls and ceiling, is a good direction to follow. Although there are lots of shades here, they don’t overwhelm the space.
Always fit a dimmer when maxing on overhead lighting to allow you to alter the room’s mood easily.
Found a pendant you love? Buy them all! Just as in gardening, where planting lots of the same type of shrub can give a rich yet uncluttered look, adding multiples of one particular accessory to a room can make for a stylishly pulled-together scheme.
Choosing a barely there design, like these delicate Moooi Random shades or something that matches the colour of your walls and ceiling, is a good direction to follow. Although there are lots of shades here, they don’t overwhelm the space.
Always fit a dimmer when maxing on overhead lighting to allow you to alter the room’s mood easily.
5. Big up colour
All that bespoke storage and the smooth surfaces created by handleless units mean that contemporary-style kitchens can be hard to personalise.
Open shelving is one route you could go down, but lighting also provides an excellent way to add character.
In this airy cookspace, interest comes in the form of bold colour and scale. Note how the chunky matt shades contrast with – and pleasingly disrupt – the sleek, glossy cupboards, adding a layer of texture as well as rich blue.
Try to choose a palette of brights and dot them around both the room and your whole home to give a sense of flow and continuity.
TELL US
How do you light your kitchen island? Let us know in the Comments section.
All that bespoke storage and the smooth surfaces created by handleless units mean that contemporary-style kitchens can be hard to personalise.
Open shelving is one route you could go down, but lighting also provides an excellent way to add character.
In this airy cookspace, interest comes in the form of bold colour and scale. Note how the chunky matt shades contrast with – and pleasingly disrupt – the sleek, glossy cupboards, adding a layer of texture as well as rich blue.
Try to choose a palette of brights and dot them around both the room and your whole home to give a sense of flow and continuity.
TELL US
How do you light your kitchen island? Let us know in the Comments section.
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Paper lampshades in a kitchen? How long will they take to get soggy and dirty?
No matter how good your extraction is open shelves and finicky items like these will attract grease dust etc,try cleaning them in six months
Love the oversized paper lights. I think its a great idea for those on a budget and by oversizing them you are making them far more interesting