Kitchen Remodel – Lighting Ideas

While I’m in a holding pattern for the installations of the “big stuff”, I’m making decisions on some of the smaller items that still add a lot to the final look and feel of the kitchen.  Kitchen remodel lighting ideas go beyond the “jewelry” that we tend to think about – pretty pendants, or fixtures to highlight open shelves.  And, light has changed a lot.  Some of the fixtures I was presented with kind of blew my mind.  So today I am going to walk through some of the lighting ideas that we’ve been looking at for our kitchen remodel.  This post contains some affiliate links.

Pendants

Let’s start with the fun stuff, shall we?  Because everyone loves the statement pieces in a kitchen.  I have agonized over pendants for awhile now, but finally came to a decision and purchased two of these gorgeous Hinkley Oliver pendants.  With all of the clean lines that we have going in our kitchen remodeling plan, I like that these add a bit of softness with their curves.

These pendants come in different finishes, and when I first spotted them, I was captivated by the look of this black pendant with brass accents.  But, the black doesn’t work with the color of our island, so we’re going for the brass.  It really exceeded my expectations when we received it, and I can’t wait to see them installed!

Semi-flush Lighting

We’re not planning on using our breakfast nook as an eating area anymore (because we rarely used it as it was), so we’re going to make that space more of a lounging/seating area, by adding a couple of comfy chairs and a semi-flush light above it.  I want all of the lights to work together, so I’m looking at some of these as contenders.

This Hinkley Chance 3-Light fixture would play nicely with the others.

I like this Joss & Main semi-flush mount light too.  Soft and subtle, although I need to make sure the scale is right.

This gorgeous fixture is more than I want to spend, but I love the brass tones paired with the stone like details.  They would pick up on the quartzite countertops really nicely.

Sconce Lighting

We have a small area of floating shelves where our beverage fridge is located, and I want to add a wall sconce in that space.  After much searching, I discovered the style I love is a swing arm wall sconce.  I really love this look from Studio McGee, but the price tag is a bit more than I want to spend.

So, I opted for another Hinkley fixture – the Arti Swing Arm Wall Sconce, and the finish will match beautifully with our pendants. Same look, and I like that the finishes will match and the price is right.

 

Overhead Lighting

One of the big hitters when it comes to lighting, is the overhead can lights that we were replacing.  Not only do you need to choose the type of light that you want, you also have to consider the layout of those light fixtures.  And my contractor and I agree – more is more when it comes to lighting.  Our kitchen has been wired for new lighting, and I’m really excited to see it all come together.  We’re replacing our old can lights with new LED options.  

My contractor presented us with two different options for the kitchen.  These round super thin recessed downlights and 4″ deep regressed lights.  I hope your eyes are glazing over yet, but I have to tell you some really interesting things about these lights.

Recessed Lighting – Thin Downlights

First, the super thin recessed downlight are kind of mind blowing.  When my contractor showed one to me, my first question was, “How do I replace the lightbulb?”  Well, you don’t.  There is no lightbulb.  That’s the magic of these LED lights.  Plus, with the flat fixture, they can essentially be placed anywhere.  You don’t have to worry about ceiling joists being in the way, and having to adjust your lighting layout.  Plus, they allow you to adjust the color temperature, without having to change a lightbulb.  The one thing I don’t care for with this model, is the way the light opening is essentially covered with a frosted plastic, and looks sort of cheap to me (even though it’s not).

 

Recessed Lighting – Regressed LED

The other option is the regressed LED model.  These have a more traditional can look, but in a more updated, modern way.  There are no traditional lightbulbs, but the can is open, vs. closed and covered like the thin option.  These do require adjustment based upon the position of your ceiling joists, so they’re not quite as flexible as the thin option.  But, I really like the look of these, and these were the option that we chose.

I would really like to change out our noisy and unusable ceiling fan in our family room, but am still debating about whether we should replace it with another ceiling fan, or a light fixture of some kind.  What do you think?  If we’re going to take it out, now is the time to do it, right?  Honestly, we never really use it, so there is no issue changing it out with a light fixture of some sort, I’m just stuck as to what it should be.

Here’s an old photo that shows it in all its glory.  What would you do?  I’m pretty decisioned out with this whole remodel, so I’m all ears for your suggestions.  I hope that some of these kitchen remodel lighting ideas have been helpful if you’re considering taking on your own kitchen.

Revere Pewter Family Room

If you missed anything with the remodel, you can catch up here:

2021 Kitchen Remodeling Plan

Kitchen Remodel Update

Kitchen Remodel – Demolition

Floors are going in beginning July 6th, so I’m literally counting down the days.  Having the floors go in is going to feel like such a huge step forward, and will make some areas of our house start to feel normal again!  I can’t wait.

This is going to be one of those projects where everything comes together quickly.  I think.  I hope.

Thanks for following along and hanging in there with me.

Jenny

 

10 Comments

  • Reply
    Nancy Walden
    June 16, 2021 at 2:04 pm

    I’d go with a pendant light in your family room. A pendant would be a great look with your ceiling.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      June 16, 2021 at 6:43 pm

      I hadn’t thought of that. I’m searching for something that will fit the bill!

  • Reply
    Sally
    June 16, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    Since you don’t use the fan, replace with a great light fixture.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      June 16, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      Now the trick is to decide WHICH fixture! 😉

  • Reply
    Debi Duke
    June 16, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    I live in South Texas & we use our ceiling fan. If you don’t use it, I’d say replace it with a statement light (chandelier-type) that would compliment that beautiful ceiling.

    • Reply
      Jenny
      June 16, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      Now it’s just a matter of choosing… My brain is fried!

  • Reply
    Jennifer Assmann
    June 16, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    Or put another can light in that matches the other ones.

  • Reply
    Sarah D Callihan
    June 17, 2021 at 11:32 am

    What about one of the big circle chandelier types (like what Thrify Decor Chick has in her family room)? We use our family room ceiling fan (vaulted/cathedral ceiling). So, I can’t speak from personal experience on this one.

  • Reply
    Joanne
    June 21, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    Jenny great column and thanks for providing the links. That’s always so helpful as i often find your posts exceedingly useful.

    I my kitchen, i love and frequently use the undercabinet strip lighting to provide direct illumination; for parties, additional lighting for baking, cooking or food prep projects. It puts the light right where I’m working without shadows. Passing it along as this is something you might want to consider.

    In addition, I wanted to share my food prep helper. I have a double faucet set up for my kitchen sink area. One of the hot water controls is a dummy control. The real control comes from a foot pedal, such as those seen in medical facilities. As such when my hands are covered from food prep, I can wash them by using the foot pedal, thereby keeping the bacterial contamination to a minimum.

    I hope your remodel is more fun than stressful and you end up with a kitchen you thoroughly enjoy.

  • Reply
    Mandy
    June 21, 2021 at 10:06 pm

    Have you seen the fandeliers that are a combo of a fan and light fixture? Gives the option for both!

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