Kitchen Lighting

Which lighting for the kitchen?

For a kitchen, we combine three types of lighting: a central ceiling light or chandelier for general light, one or more pendant lights above the island or table for the dining area, and LED strips under the cabinets to illuminate the countertop without cast shadows.

A kitchen rarely functions with only one light source. General lighting, installed on the ceiling, provides basic brightness for the entire room. Functional lighting, focused on the island or countertop, is used for cooking without shadows. Ambient lighting, often a pendant light above the table, creates a convivial dining atmosphere. These three layers complement each other without replacing one another.

The style of the kitchen guides the choice: a modern kitchen with grey fronts calls for gold or black finishes for contrast, while a light wood kitchen goes well with blown glass or organic shapes. The room's surface area comes into play for general lighting: a large open kitchen deserves a sizable chandelier or ceiling light, while a compact kitchen prefers a discreet ceiling light fixed as close to the ceiling as possible. The current price for each model is displayed in the collection grid.

What are the trending kitchen light fixtures?

Current kitchen trends include glass globe pendants, gold and black finishes, blown glass and organic lines, as well as adjustable LED rings. A modern chandelier above the table and designer pendants over the island dress up the room while remaining functional.

The glass globe pendant remains the most versatile choice: it diffuses a soft light, adapts to all kitchen styles, and comes in transparent, smoked, or amber versions. The Sphère Céleste glass globe pendant illustrates this trend well, with its glass spheres and metal finishes available in black or gold. For a more artisanal blown version, glass lighting offers organic shapes that warm up a kitchen with clean lines.

Gold finishes create a warm and chic kitchen, especially effective when paired with a marble countertop or dark fronts. Contemporary black is essential in kitchens with an industrial or graphic spirit: a black metal fixture adds clarity in a light-toned room. Explore contemporary black light fixtures for this type of atmosphere, or models with gold finishes for a warmer effect.

Organic shapes satisfy a desire for softness in clean kitchens with white or light wood backgrounds. The Lotus pendant brings sculptural relief above a table without weighing down the room. Adjustable LED rings, like the Ena adjustable LED rings, combine geometric design and modular lighting: ideal for an open kitchen connected to the living room, they allow light to be directed according to current needs.

Which pendant light for a kitchen island?

Above an island, align one to three pendants depending on its length, centered over the surface and spaced evenly. Allow approximately 70 to 80 cm between the bottom of the fixture and the countertop to avoid obstructing the view or the light. Glass globes, domes, or designer models work well.

The number of pendants depends directly on the length of the island. One is enough for a small island or a compact table. Two aligned pendants cover a medium-sized island while creating a satisfying visual balance. A large island calls for three evenly spaced pendants for uniform light and a beautiful decorative line.

In terms of shape, the glass globe remains the gold standard above an island: it diffuses light in all directions and its transparency visually lightens the work area. The Éclat Moderne island pendant is designed precisely for this use: its designer globe spheres align on an island and are height-adjustable. Globe pendants are also available in more compact versions for kitchens with lower ceilings.

Also consider the length of the cable or stem: above an island, the cable must be adjustable to reach the target height without creating an unsightly loop. Check out our pendant lights to find models adapted to your ceiling and island configuration.

See the Éclat Moderne island pendant

Chandelier or ceiling light for a modern kitchen?

Choose a chandelier if your kitchen opens onto a dining area and offers sufficient height: it creates a strong decorative focal point. Prefer a ceiling light for a compact kitchen or a low ceiling, as it is more discreet and easier to clean. In either case, a modern gold, black, or glass model fits a current kitchen.

A chandelier above the table of an open kitchen marks the visual separation between the kitchen space and the dining area without partitioning the room. It acts as a landmark: one instinctively knows that this is where one eats. The Essence Lumineuse modern chandelier plays this role in a contemporary kitchen, with its clean lines that suit wood as well as polished concrete. For an even more assertive presence, modern style models cover sculptural shapes ranging from waves to geometric rings.

In a compact kitchen or under a ceiling lower than 2.50 m, a hanging chandelier can obstruct circulation and accumulate grease at height. A semi-flush or flush-mount ceiling light solves this problem: it provides effective lighting without encroaching on space. The Scintilla Sky Round Gold Ceiling Light and the AuroreLux Wave Ceiling Light add personality without excessive depth. The Zephyr Sky, compact and LED-based, is suitable for kitchens with low ceilings that want discreet integrated lighting.

Find all these references within our entire lighting collection to refine your choice according to the ceiling height and style of your kitchen.

How to light the countertop with LEDs?

Light the countertop with LED strips or tapes fixed under the high cabinets: the light falls directly on the surface, without shadows cast by your body. Opt for neutral white around 4000 K, which is more accurate for cooking. LEDs consume little energy and last a long time, ideal for daily use.

The principle is simple: the LED strip is installed at the back of the underside of the wall cabinet so that the light covers the entire depth of the countertop without creating a strip of light visible from the room. An LED tape with an integrated diffuser avoids the effect of discontinuous light points and provides more uniform lighting. For an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen, several strips can be connected in series to cover all the cabinets.

LEDs are essential for functional kitchen lighting, especially for their longevity: where a halogen bulb would last a few hundred hours, a good-quality LED far exceeds 20,000 hours of use. Its low consumption reduces the electricity bill for lighting kept on for several hours a day. Browse LED lighting for the best options adapted to the kitchen and countertop.

How to choose the color temperature and bulb for the kitchen?

In the kitchen, combine neutral white (around 4000 K) on the countertop for visibility, and warm white (2700 to 3000 K) above the table for ambiance. Check the bulb base before purchasing and, near the sink, choose a fixture with an IP rating suitable for humidity.

• Warm white (2700 to 3000 K): golden and soothing light, recommended above the table and in the dining area for a convivial atmosphere during meals.
• Neutral white (3500 to 4000 K): whiter and more precise light, ideal under wall cabinets and above the island for cooking with good color rendering of food.
• Bulb base: the E27 base remains the most common for pendants and chandeliers. The E14 base fits the smaller sockets of certain ceiling lights and multi-arm chandeliers. Always check compatibility before buying the bulb.
• IP rating: near the sink or a water source, a fixture with at least an IP 44 rating resists water splashes. In the rest of the kitchen, a standard fixture without a specific IP rating is suitable.
• Materials and maintenance: glass and painted metal wipe off easily, a practical criterion in a kitchen exposed to steam and grease splashes.

These criteria guide the choice even before looking at style: a light fixture with poorly adapted temperature or base is difficult to replace without changing the entire fixture. Product sheets for contemporary light fixtures specify the base and bulb compatibility for each model.

Original and affordable kitchen lighting: our decor ideas

For a kitchen with personality, dare to use an original pendant: bottle or wine glass lamps in a bar corner, gold sun fixtures, or black fireflies above the table. These designer models remain accessible and can also be used to dress up a hallway or bathroom.

The Éclat Vigneron Bottle Lamp and the Esprit Vinicole Wine Glass pendant bring an offbeat touch to a bar corner or an open kitchen with counter stools. The effect is immediate and installation requires nothing more than a standard socket. This type of original suspended light works alone or in a series of two or three above a counter to create a coherent decorative line.

For a more graphic effect, the Rayon d'Or Sun Fixture creates a powerful focal point above a table, with its golden rays diffusing warm light throughout the room. Conversely, the Éclat Sombre contemporary black fixture plays on the tension between the organic shape and matte finish for an assertive kitchen without being cold. These two models also work in a hallway or toilet, where a single fixture is enough to set the tone for the decor.

An original light fixture does not require a high budget. Blown glass or sculptural models transform an ordinary kitchen without the need for renovations. Check out affordable lighting for accessible options, and hallway lighting to extend your kitchen style into the circulation areas. For a powder room fixture in the same spirit, a small pendant or designer ceiling light in the same register creates a cohesive and appreciable decor throughout the apartment.

Where to buy kitchen lighting in Lyon and online?

Designix is an online lighting store that delivers throughout France, an alternative to Lyon-based chains and lighting clearance outlets in Lyon. There, you will find pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling lights for the kitchen as well as the rest of the house, with secure payment, tracked delivery, and returns.

Buying online offers a concrete advantage over large retail chains or lighting clearance stores in Lyon: the product sheets detail the material, base, color temperature, and dimensions, which prevents unpleasant surprises upon delivery. No need to travel to compare a gold chandelier and a glass globe pendant.

Designix delivers to mainland France with parcel tracking at every step. Payment is secure and returns are handled by customer service, available to answer questions before or after purchase. Visit our lighting store to browse the entire selection, or consult lighting for the whole house directly to find the right fixture piece by piece.

Whether you are looking for a pendant for the island, a chandelier for the dining area, or a discreet ceiling light, Designix covers all rooms. Dining room lighting and living room lighting naturally complement an open kitchen for consistent style across the entire living space.

Frequently asked questions about kitchen lighting