These Are the Perfect Kitchen Lights for Your New Home

Natural materials — such as wicker, rattan and wood — in a new kitchen design can be used to counteract the clinical feel of metal appliances and hard surfaces. The transparent quality and warm honeyed hues of the fibres diffuse the light source, instantly softening the space.

Wood & Rattan Ceiling Lamp, Bouclair, $200.

Oversized and overhead, these on-trend kitchen lights use an exaggerated scale to set the scene. Their large form helps to make even the most cavernous kitchen feel like a cozy retreat. (And in smaller spaces, large lights stand out as a functional, design-forward focal point.)

Maddox Black Dome Pendant, Crate & Barrel, $279.

Wall sconces are more commonly seen in bedrooms and living rooms than kitchens, but that’s all about to change. Their ability to cast soft, calming light into once-dark corners aids the of-the-moment transformation of the concept of the kitchen from a busy, utility-based room to one of beauty and tranquility.

Olde Brick Lighting Kitchen Sconce, Etsy, $197.

A strong trend in kitchen lights is the mixing of unexpected, contrasting materials (think rattan and resin). Lighting designs that incorporate new technologies (LED, smart lights, etc.) and earth-found elements, such as clay, steel or stone, are especially appealing.

Elliot Pendant, Light House, $2,074.

Incorporating antique kitchen lights (or even antique-inspired ones) is a simple way to add historical character to a new space. This trend is about reusing what already exists in the name of sustainability while also celebrating uniqueness.

Flynn Milk Glass Pendant, Pottery Barn, from $374.

Statement chandeliers, sculptural pendant lights and functional light-art pieces are all finding their way above kitchen islands, countertops and breakfast nooks. Modern homeowners are looking for ways to make their space work double time — here, light fixture as art fulfills multiple roles simultaneously.

Louis Poulsen PH 5 Pendant, Finnish Design Shop, $1,596.

Choosing light fixtures in the same metallic finish as the kitchen appliances and hardware is a powerful (on-trend) design move. Here, the cooler silver elements are strategically warmed by the stunning, earth-toned marble and wooden accessories.

Theo Pendant, Rejuvenation Home, $1,350.

Setting up a multifaceted, layered lighting scheme is key to having a kitchen that functions well for you and your family. Under-cabinet dimmer strips, articulated spotlights and strategically placed pendant lights all work together to give you the light you need when and how you need it.

Pilskott LED Pendant Lamp, IKEA Canada, $129.

Integrating a mid-century modern lighting option into our 21st-Century kitchen design brings in a playful vibe without going fully Mad Men. These angular, cone-shaped fixtures give off just the right amount of ambient light and nostalgia.

Warren Antique Brass Flushmount, West Elm, $179.

When hunting for new on-trend kitchen lights, stay away from sharp edges — nowadays, it’s all about the curves. Statement kitchen-island pendants feature softness rather than structure, and favour sculptural forms over straight lines.

Khmara Wabi-Sabi Pendant Light, Modern Space Living, from $343.