This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I might make a small commission at no extra cost to you. In fact, you get a 10% discount using the code “ZACH”. Thanks for the support and hope you enjoy the read!
Gone are the days of huge, clunky, supposedly elegant chandeliers that make you feel like someone died or is about to. The dominance of candle-like chandeliers has made many people think that they are outdated or should only be used over the dining table. That is far from true though!
A chandelier in the kitchen can look very stylish if chosen and placed properly. That’s why I decided to write this article and clear out some of the dos and don’ts when getting a chandelier for your kitchen.
Chandeliers are used for ambient light—light that covers most, if not all, of the room and makes the room functional. It is the artificial light source intended to replace sunlight at night or any other time needed.
So ambient light is absolutely necessary but that doesn’t mean it should be boring. The most common sources of ambient light in the kitchen (other than chandeliers) are recessed can lights and flush or semi-flush mounts.
Track lighting and pendants can be used for ambient light depending on their design and placement.
But new chandelier designs by revolutionary lighting companies have completely redefined what a chandelier can be. Let’s start with the basics before we see some of the available options.
When Should You Put A Chandelier In The Kitchen?
You may not think it, but chandeliers are *very* versatile. Not only do they come in heaps of colors, shapes, and sizes, they’re also an excellent source of ambient light, allowing you to spend less time worrying about tens of different fixtures to light up your kitchen sufficiently.
Practically, their only two limitations are that they need to be placed in the middle of the ceiling (or in some cases over the table/kitchen island), so their positioning is a bit restricted, and that they can’t be near other ceiling lights because everything will feel too cramped and awkward. For example, combining pendants with a chandelier in the kitchen can be very tricky, especially if the kitchen is small to average-sized.
So with that in mind, you should use a chandelier in the kitchen if:
- You feel like your kitchen is underlit for everyday usage
- You don’t have many fixtures, especially hanging from the ceiling
- Your kitchen has an easily identifiable central focal point (e.g., island or table in the middle of the kitchen)
- You dream of chandeliers every time you sleep
Also, don’t reject a chandelier in the kitchen if you think that:
- They are old-fashioned
- They are too expensive
- They won’t fit your kitchen style
- They are hard to install
Do consider other light sources if:
- Your kitchen is unusually small
- You have many pendants
- You already have more than 2-3 chandeliers in your home (for normal-sized houses or apartments)
Read this guide if you want to figure out the perfect positioning and size for your kitchen chandeliers!
5 Coolest Chandeliers For Your Kitchen
So, you’re ready to buy! Well, look no further because I have compiled some of the awesomest chandeliers I could find in the market.
Possibly my favorite chandelier in the market. This is a really cool chandelier that you can use in transitional and contemporary kitchens. And I include transitional because it is so minimal that it can fit everywhere. In fact, even traditional kitchens can pull off this chandelier in its gold color.
I absolutely love this chandelier because it breaks all rules of what we’re used to regarding chandeliers! It’s just so classy and unique.
It’s built really well with good materials, low consumption, long lifespan, it comes with adjustable light, and on top of that, it’s just so stylish and modern.
If you want to go for something a bit more extreme but sleek, then Residence Supply have got you covered.
They are known for their top-notch quality and this design is timeless and very versatile, so you really can’t go wrong with it!
This ceiling light is something between a chandelier, multiple pendants, and a track-lighting rack.
The reason I love it so much is because the lampshades are adjustable! Yes, you read that right, you can twist and turn each of the three arms precisely to where you want it!
One amazing thing about this design is that you can use the same fixture for ambient and task light simultaneously. Versatile and practical kitchen lighting as simply as that.
Bonus point: For each lamp purchased, 1 tree is planted!
In case the previous chandeliers were too abstract for your kitchen’s style, I decided to include an option that resembles the more classical sense of the chandelier while still being unique and modern.
This chandelier makes it seem like tiny glimpses of light drip down into your kitchen from the ceiling, but its 18 (up to 39) bulbs still produce more than enough ambient light for your kitchen needs.
Wrapping up
As you can see, a chandelier in the kitchen can be extremely cool and not at all outdated. Sure, old candle-like chandeliers can still work in some homes but the truth is that most modern homes require a unique spin if you plan to use these fixtures.
A few of my choices did not make the cut because I want to show you only high-quality and truly unique products, but I know I haven’t covered many kitchen styles that might not work with the above suggestions.
That’s why I plan to periodically update this post and add more cool chandeliers for all kitchen designs. Do check back!
