The Kitchen Island Lighting Mistake That's Causing Your Space To Look Dated

Lighting is incredibly important to create a good atmosphere in the kitchen. It also allows you to read recipes, finely chop vegetables, and read the cooking directions for chicken nuggets without straining your eyes. Additionally, it can determine whether your space looks chic or shabby, as there are many kitchen lighting mistakes that can make your kitchen look dated. There are some lighting fixtures that just aren't quite as stylish as they once were. So if you feel like it's time to update your kitchen, the lighting fixtures may be a good place to start — especially if your current design consists of a single pendant model dangling above a kitchen island. 

Pendant lights in the kitchen can be both fashionable and practical. They provide direct and focused light over islands and counters to make them better work surfaces, and there are a variety of finishes that can really make your space feel personalized and cohesive. However, using only a single pendant over your island is one way to keep your kitchen looking out of fashion. A single light source can create uneven lighting and make the room unstylish and uncomfortable. 

More recent trends emphasize layered lighting, which can be achieved by having multiple light sources. This creates a comfortable and sophisticated atmosphere wherever it's implemented. If you're ready to make your kitchen a more functional and trendy space, consider leaving the single pendant light above your kitchen island in the past.

When it comes to upgrading your kitchen lighting, there are many options and a few guidelines to keep in mind. First, you will want to know how much light your kitchen really needs. You can assess this using lumens, a unit of measure that indicates brightness. A good number for the kitchen is between 3,500 and 5,500 lumens, so measuring the number of units and adjusting them is a good place to begin. If the level is too low, try placing additional sources of illumination. Adding more lights around the room creates a layered effect and balances the brightness of the area. You can add them under cabinets or lamps, but installing more pendant lights, specifically, helps balance out your lighting while keeping your design's aesthetic. Three is a popular number of pendant lights and can be arranged nicely in a kitchen, but any number above two should make your space look more current.

The color of the lighting can also make a difference. Colorful LED lights are a current trend, but for a more contemporary feel, make sure your lights are more of a cool or neutral white rather than a warm white. Warm white lighting is associated with traditional and rustic kitchens, and it certainly matches the coziness. Modern kitchens also typically work best with brighter lights.

If you do choose to fix your dated kitchen lighting with more pendant lights, there are a wide variety of styling options at your fingertips. First, you can choose the design of the pendant lights themselves. A unique shape like a cylinder is great for adding visual interest and a more modern touch, but more traditional shapes like domes and globes can also work. In terms of the finish, metallic complements the kitchen by providing a nice contrast and helps draw positive attention to your kitchen island. 

Another way to make your design stand out is by staggering the heights of the pendant lights. Whether you have two models at different heights or three, this choice can help with the layered lighting effect. Just make sure that the pendants are about 72 inches above the ground so that they don't block your view from anywhere in the kitchen.

The classic pendant light will probably always remain popular in some way. But one you figure out the best type of lighting to use in your kitchen, there are many ways you can make your space more stylish. Whether you choose to change your kitchen lighting's color temperature, experiment with the brightness level, or make the most impactful shift away from dated lighting by adding another pendant, you'll be glad you did.