Kitchen Island Lighting: A Step By Step Guide

Kitchen island lighting is a very interesting process, in which you have to balance functionality with versatility and aesthetics.

In this step-by-step guide, we will go through everything you need to know about how to properly light up your kitchen island, as well as look at some ideas that will hopefully bring you inspiration.

Let's get started!

1. Which fixtures should I use?

Chandeliers and pendants are the two most common fixtures for kitchen islands. Although it's not necessary to use them, we always suggest picking one or the other - never both!

Using chandeliers in combination with other hanging lights can end up looking weird and make the space feel uninviting. One or the other is more than enough to cover your ambient light needs.

To choose one, you need to consider your ambient light sources and requirements. You can start by calculating the required lumens in your kitchen area.

You should aim for 35 lumens per square foot (or 380 lumens per square meter) of the kitchen.

That is, you multiply 35 by the square footage of your kitchen and you get the required lumens to sufficiently light up the space. For example, a 170-ft. kitchen requires around 6000 lumens of ambient light.

This number of lumens can be divided between multiple light sources, such as three pendants of 1000 lumens each and recessed can lights of 3000 lumens in total.

Then, make a decision based on your personal preferences and the aesthetics of your home. Our wide selection of both pendants and chandeliers ensures that you can find one to fit your space effortlessly.

2. How to choose the right size for my chandelier

For chandeliers, we suggest going either with a big statement piece that draws attention or with two mini chandeliers evenly spaced for a more classy look.

The ideal size of your hanging chandelier is influenced by two main factors:

1. The size of your kitchen island
2. The other lighting fixtures in the space

To determine the appropriate chandelier diameter for your kitchen island, there’s a simple formula you can use. Add the width and length of your kitchen island in feet. The sum is the minimum chandelier diameter in inches.

For example:

If your kitchen island is 7 feet by 10 feet, adding these gives you 17. This means the minimum diameter of your chandelier should be 17 inches. So choose a chandelier that is at least 17 inches in diameter (especially if you use two chandeliers) but you can go up to 20-25 inches for a single chandelier.

While this method works well for feet and inches, you’ll need to convert the measurements for the metric system separately.

The same formula can be applied to pendants. However, read the calculation below to make sure you use the right number of pendants for your kitchen island.

3. How many pendants over the kitchen island?

The number of pendants you need for proper and symmetrical lighting depends on the size of your kitchen island. Here's how to calculate it (imperial system):

1. Measure the length of your kitchen counter in inches.
2. Subtract 25.
3. Divide by 30.
4. Add 1.
5. Round to the nearest whole number (or adjust based on preference).

For the metric system:

1. Measure the length of your kitchen counter in centimeters.
2. Subtract 60.
3. Divide by 75.
4. Add 1.
5. Round to the nearest whole number (or adjust based on preference).

Explanation:

The first and last pendants should be positioned 12–15 inches (30–38 cm) from the edges of the island. Pendants should then be spaced evenly, with about 30 inches (76 cm) between the bulbs—not the fixture ends.

For example, if your kitchen island is 85 inches (215 cm) long, subtract 25 inches (60 cm) to leave 60 inches (155 cm). Dividing that by 30 (or 75 in metric) gives you the number of pendants needed: 3 for a 7-foot island.

Pro Tip: If you're using wide pendants, high-lumen bulbs, or pendants with a wide beam angle, consider reducing the number of pendants by one for optimal balance.

4. What is the appropriate hanging height?

As a general rule, the bottom of the hanging light should be no lower than 7 feet (2.13 m) from the floor, but this can be adjusted if no one needs to walk beneath it.

For kitchen counters, lights should hang 30–36 inches (76–91 cm) above the surface of the kitchen island to avoid obstructing the view or causing accidental head bumps.

Use the tallest person in the household as a guide for proper clearance!

5. What lighting style suits your kitchen best?

The style of lighting fixture you choose can influence the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. For a modern, minimalist look, opt for sleek, linear pendants or fixtures with clean lines and neutral tones. For a more traditional or rustic kitchen, chandeliers with ornate designs or vintage-style pendants can add warmth and character.

Your kitchen’s existing decor, color scheme, and cabinetry should guide your lighting choices. If you have bold/colorful cabinets, go for more subtle lighting fixtures to keep the room balanced. On the other hand, if your kitchen has neutral tones, a bold statement piece can add more drama to your space.

6. How to ensure sufficient task lighting

In addition to ambient lighting, task lighting is crucial over kitchen islands, especially if you use the space for food preparation, cooking, or eating. Pendants with focused, downward-facing light help brighten specific areas.

To make sure your kitchen island lighting is functional, choose fixtures that offer bright yet diffuse light that doesn’t create harsh shadows. Consider installing dimmable lights for versatility. This allows you to adjust the brightness depending on whether you're preparing food or enjoying a cozy dinner.

7. How to add accent lighting

Accent lighting is used as decorative and to enhance specific architectural features. Or even as art by itself.

In the kitchen island, accent lighting is most commonly an LED strip used on the edges around the island.

This can be dimmable or even come in multiple colors that you can control to set the mood at all times.

8. How to incorporate dimming features and smart control

Adding dimmable lighting features or smart controls to your kitchen island lighting can elevate its functionality. Dimmable fixtures let you control the brightness to suit different activities, such as cooking or eating.

Smart lighting systems can integrate with voice-activated devices or smartphone apps, giving you the convenience of adjusting the lights remotely or setting them to follow a schedule. Dimming features also help in creating mood lighting, transforming your kitchen into a warm, inviting space for evening gatherings.

For example, you can install motion-activated LED strips at the bottom of the kitchen island near the floor to avoid accidental toe stubbing.

Wrapping up

From fixtures to placement, there are several things you need to keep in mind when lighting your kitchen island. This is why we wrote this complete guide that will help you illuminate your kitchen island to perfection.

Simply follow the steps above and remember to aim for three layers of light: ambient, task, and accent. If, for example, your kids are doing their homework on the kitchen island while you cook, then you would need more task lighting in the form of focused-beam pendants. Or if you often entertain guests, you would need ample ambient light in the form of a statement chandelier.

Don't be afraid to experiment though and have fun with it!