5 Trending Kitchen Light Fixtures That Will Add Spark To Your Home

When it comes to the kitchen, lighting is everything. From functional lighting that keeps your cutting boards and cooktops bright enough to whip up a feast, to moody pendant lighting that makes your guests want to settle around your kitchen island, it's important to choose the right fixtures. If you frequently slip downstairs in the dark for a midnight snack, you may want to consider under cabinet lighting that casts a subtle glow all night long. On the other hand, if your kids always leave the pantry light on, you may want to invest in a motion detecting fixture that will help you save on your energy bill. From pendant lighting to picture lights, there are several trending kitchen light fixtures that will add spark to your home.

Nothing is less appetizing than eating in a dull, dim environment. To create an inviting ambiance where meals are savored, plan your kitchen's lighting layout by incorporating both natural and artificial light sources. Think about how you use your kitchen before you make any major decisions. Are you a gourmet chef who loves to entertain? An enthusiastic baker spending hours pouring over cookbooks? Or are you more likely to use your oven to store shoes or board games? How you use the space will determine the best type of lighting to use in your kitchen.

The top trending kitchen light fixture in 2024 is the kitchen island pendant. It's a trend that is here to stay. "Pendant lighting is an essential part of lighting within your home," Industville's managing director Mara Miller told Homes & Gardens. "This trend can redefine your space by creating focal points and stunning visual impact," she continued. Whether you want to hang a single pendant or cluster multiple pendants over your kitchen island, consider sight lines when standing and sitting to avoid the risk of bright glare or bumped heads. Use one or two pendants for small islands under 5 feet, and three, evenly spaced pendants for larger islands.

There are thousands of kitchen island pendant styles available. The bestselling Linea di Liara Pendant Light Fixture with Medium Clear Glass is available in black, brushed nickel, chrome, and satin brass finishes. It's a hit with thousands of customers on Amazon who like the contemporary look and easy installation. The pendant light fixture is extremely bulb compatible, meaning you can use a Smart bulb, color-changing bulb, incandescent or Edison bulb, or LED for higher energy efficiency. It also has an adjustable hanging height with no visible wiring that allows you to hug the fixture close or drop it almost 5 feet from a flat, vaulted, or sloped ceiling. The right hanging height will depend on both your ceiling and island countertop heights. Aim for 30 to 36 inches above your counters. 

Fixtures like the MCGOR 40 LED Rechargeable Battery Operated Motion Sensor Magnetic Dimmable Under Counter Lights pack a lot of punch into a relatively tiny package. Under cabinet lighting provides task lighting during cooking, keeps you safe from stubbed toes late at night, and adds a calm ambiance around the clock. These fixtures have an always-on feature that is ideal for daytime use when you want plenty of light shining on your work surface. At night, the motion sensor mode turns the lights on when motion is detected within 10 feet in low-light environments, then automatically turns the lights off after 20 seconds of stillness. You can control the ambiance thanks to five levels of brightness.

Nearly 15,000 purchasers on Amazon have given these under counter kitchen light fixtures a 5-star review. They love the simple installation, which is accomplished in seconds, thanks to built-in magnets and adhesive metal plates that are included. Reviewers also love how easy it is to recharge the batteries, which lasts up to 8 hours when set to always-on mode at 100% brightness, and up to 30 days on motion sensor mode. Designers agree on this simple, but effective kitchen hack. "Under-cabinet lighting? It's a must for me," says HGTV's Jenn Todryk on the must-have kitchen feature that will totally elevate your space. "Whether it's day or night, they are on" (via Instagram).

You've probably heard about this latest nature-inspired design trend by now, but what is biophilic design and is it right for your home? The term "biophilia" comes from Greek and means "love of life". It's used to encapsulate our tendency to connect with living things. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health showed that biophilic design positively impacts health and well-being, improving relaxation, reducing stress, and even providing pain relief. Feel-good design, or dopamine decor, will continue as a popular trend in 2025 and beyond, as more people recognize how much one's surroundings impact their state of mind.

You can get the look by installing playful lighting like a Vintage Green Glass Pendant Light Fixture that combines gold metal and floral elements into a kitchen light fixture that feels both modern and retro. Machine-pressed glass and an adjustable hanging length make it ideal for installation above islands, sinks, or tables in your kitchen. The mid-century inspired pendant light is compatible with incandescent, halogen, or LED bulbs up to 60 watts (sold separately). Customers love how easy it is to assemble, and the heavy glass gets high marks for its durability. Although it's designed to offer a vintage appeal, some purchasers have modernized their fixtures by using them with battery-operated LED lights that don't require any electrical installation.

Sustainable materials are another one of the key design trends we'll see as we head into 2025. Along with opting for energy efficient and low-VOC products, choosing responsibly-sourced materials is a great way to incorporate sustainability practices into your home. Wood is one example of a low-embodied energy material that takes less energy to process, manufacture, and deliver than higher energy materials like nylon or metals. Wood is also durable and versatile, making it an excellent choice for kitchen light fixtures that can work with any decorating style.

The YISDESIGN Dimmable Wooden Linear Pendant Kitchen Light is currently one of the most popular styles available on Amazon. Made from real wood, it's available in black, walnut, beech, and ash finishes in a sleek mid-century design one reviewer called "flawless." The fixture comes in a variety of lengths, from 39 to 71 inches, that can work over a small kitchen island or large dining table. Controlled via remote, the pendant's brightness and color temperature is adjustable thanks to an energy efficient LED light source that is fully integrated. Some customers found the installation was difficult, but were satisfied with the overall look and performance of this light fixture, which comes with a one-year warranty.

Accent lighting in a kitchen does more than just highlight artwork or architectural elements — it can also drastically improve visibility on work surfaces where you're likely to be using sharp utensils or making careful measurements. Whether you need a way to light up a china collection or brighten up your cooktop, the FUNCHDAY Battery Operated Wireless Remote Dimmable Picture Light with Timer is an extremely cost effective way to upgrade your kitchen lighting. The picture light mounts easily with provided screws, and can be rotated 150 degrees to adjust the lighting position in whatever way best suits your kitchen layout. Available in nickel, antique brass, rose gold, black steel, and other finishes, the sleek and modern design is compatible with a wide variety of kitchen aesthetics. 

Over 1,500 customers gave these picture lights a 5-star review, describing the light quality and battery life as excellent. "Beautiful," "sophisticated," "high end," and "perfect" were frequently used to describe them. Keep in mind that you will occasionally need to recharge the battery via USB cable, with a full charge taking a few hours. You can extend battery life by using the included remote to dim or turn off the lights when they're not in use. Or, you can use the timer feature for automatic shutoff.