Looking for kitchen island lighting ideas? Here is a quick and easy guide to help you pick the best island lights for your kitchen. Before we check out your options, you need to first identify what your kitchen style is then match your kitchen lighting fixtures to this. A modern kitchen will be best complemented by contemporary island lighting, while a classic, Victorian kitchen will look best with rustic kitchen lighting. So, after you have looked around your kitchen, let us now look at the various types of lighting that you may want to mix and match in your kitchen.

Recessed Lighting

This basic kitchen lighting is ideal for smaller kitchens with lower ceilings. Although this type of lighting is not decorative, it provides effective lighting to your kitchen island and an overall clean, spacious feel to your kitchen.

It would be best to have two or more recessed kitchen lighting fixtures over the island. If your countertop is highly reflective, like polished granite, position the lights above the ends of the island instead of the center so the light does not reflect into your eyes.

Flush Mount / Semi Flush Ceiling Lights

Also ideal for kitchens with low ceilings – flush mount ceiling lights and semi flush ceiling lights. The shades of flush mount ceiling light fixtures are even or level with the ceiling, while semi flush ceiling lights have a slight gap between the shade and the base of the lamp which secures the light fixture onto the ceiling.

Pendant Lights

Kitchen pendant lights over islands are an excellent way to beautify your kitchen through decorative illumination. Pendant fixtures come in a variety of styles, shapes, sizes, heights, and finishes. These light fixtures can accentuate any shape and size of kitchen island. The magic number is three when installing island pendant lights, unless your island is extremely large. Having three pendant lights above the island just looks more balanced, compared to having two or four. Hanging the kitchen pendant lights about 30-36 inches above the island is ideal, so that these lights do not block the view across the kitchen.

Track Lighting

Like pendant lights, track lighting fixtures are also a favorite choice for kitchen island lighting. These lights are easy to install and they come in different designs to match any kitchen style.

Island Chandeliers

You can instantly add class to any kitchen by adding a lovely island chandelier. Although its main function will most likely be to accentuate rather than illuminate, having a chandelier inside your kitchen will definitely make it one of your favorite spots at home. Choose the style that will complement your kitchen design and one that will still provide a good amount of lighting to your kitchen island.

It is not advisable to install chandeliers in kitchens with low ceilings. Ideally, these should be hung in kitchens with ceilings that are at least 9 feet high and installed so that the bottom of the fixture rests at least 6 feet and 6 inches above the floor.

Ceiling Fans with Lights

Ceiling fans with lights are also a great option for kitchens with high ceilings. They offer the added function of circulating air, in addition to providing illumination above your kitchen island.