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Choosing Kitchen Light Fixtures That Work Together

September 11, 2013

I’ve received a few questions lately about how to choose coordinating light fixtures in the kitchen.  I’m not sure there’s any magical method, and open kitchen/breakfast room concepts can make things a little tricky since you see everything all at once. 

I thought it might be fun for us to help Kara, a reader who’s trying to make her own lighting decisions.  Here’s her email:

I am about to pull the trigger on a lantern light for my kitchen. I can’t decide if I want to put it over my farm style table or the small island. My question is should I put two of the same, complimentary ones, it something different? I can’t figure out how to make it work and I love the lantern look over both places. My table and island are close together.

 

how to choose kitchen lighting

 

She sent me a couple of lantern options that she was considering, but my favorite was this cleaner one:

lantern-pendant

 

I do think that using two of the same lights can work in certain spaces—but the right scale is key.  In Kara’s kitchen, I would probably keep the chandelier over the table, but possibly give it a coat of spray paint (oil-rubbed bronze?) to coordinate with the lantern over the island.  (I also think using the round bulbs goes a long way in making a transitional fixture feel more modern.)

 

I had considered using two of the same pendants in my own kitchen, but went with a similar look that I think would work in Kara’s kitchen, as well.  Even though they’re completely different styles, I think the  mix of straight and curvy (plus being similar colors and materials) works well together:

 

kitchen lighting

 

What are your thoughts on Kara’s kitchen lighting dilemma?

 

And, a couple of other thoughts on possible ways to coordinate kitchen lighting. . .

 

lantern pendants

Samantha Pynn

Using two (or more) of the same lights:  As mentioned earlier, I do love this look, but I think the scale has to be right.  There’s something about the uniformity of the same fixture in the line of sight that feels so clean to me.  (And, I’ve just always loved this kitchen. . .)

 

 

red lantern lighting

Windsor Smith

Coordinating with color:  A fun color can also be a great way to unify two very different light fixtures.  I also like how they repeated it on the chairs in this space, keeping everything else neutral.

 

What other tips do you have for choosing kitchen lighting that complements one another?

(If you have a photo of how you’ve done this in your own kitchen, feel free to post to my Facebook page.)

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Filed Under: kitchens, lighting

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Comments

  1. Amelia @ House Pretty says

    September 11, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    I like the first option you mentioned. I always find coordinating lighting really tricking (same goes for fixtures and cabinet hardware), so I appreciate the tips!

    Reply
  2. Vel Criste says

    September 11, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    Matching Color or finish is a great way to compliment lighting. In my kitchen, I went for the ‘bling’ factore – meaning a chandelier with chrome island fixtures! If you have time, please check it out here…http://buhayatbahay.blogspot.com/2013/09/kitchen-finally-done.html. Good luck to your reader!

    Reply
  3. High-Heeled Foot in the door says

    September 11, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    I love the idea of coordinating with color. I think have two separate lights add a bit of character to a space and is less cookie cutter.

    Camila
    http://blog.effortless-style.com

    Reply
  4. Grace from AStoriedStyle.com says

    September 11, 2013 at 2:19 pm

    I think they just need to have a common element. For example, in my kitchen, i have a mercury glass pendant over my sink, and a crystal chandelier over my island. It works because they both have a sparkle factor.

    See photos here:
    http://www.astoriedstyle.com/index.php/2013/07/our-mini-kitchen-makeover/

    xoxo

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    September 11, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    We have a lantern over the island, and a chandelier over the dining table (and pendants over the bar-so much lighting in our space!). They don’t match, but are all orb with the exception of the pendants. We toiled with our lighting decision, not wanting it too matchy matchy, but wanting it to flow.

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    September 11, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    I used this large lantern over my dining table:

    http://www.ballarddesigns.com/eldridge-pendant/209472

    And 3 pendants over my island:

    http://www.potterybarn.com/products/basic-pendant-kit-glossy-metal-bell-shade/?pkey=cchandeliers-pendants&

    It took me forever to decide on what would work best together. They are both ORB finish so they complement each other well, but also provide a nice contrast.

    Reply
  7. {Hi Sugarplum!} says

    September 11, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    Great advice….I’m crazy about the combo you used in your kitchen!

    Reply
  8. [email protected] says

    September 11, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    I love the lantern. I would probably put it over the table and use two pendants in the same color for the island so outlets wouldn’t have to be changed. The cheaper option always has my vote!

    Reply
  9. Chatfield Court says

    September 11, 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Great advice and I love that lantern you recommended. I actually just had one delivered yesterday ;) I like the idea of coordinating lights with color and scale.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Kristi

    Reply
  10. Holly says

    September 11, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    Would you mind sharing the source of the lantern option that she had? It is fun!

    Reply
  11. Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says

    September 11, 2013 at 10:54 pm

    I like the option of coordinating different lights thru color. Love the look!

    Reply
  12. marshallhousematters.com says

    September 12, 2013 at 12:05 am

    When it comes to decisions about what decor items, I am a fan of trying things out in the space. Either digitally or just purchasing and returning as needed. Emily you definitely have a good eye for these things – I wish I could look at a room and know what would look best.

    Reply
  13. Nina says

    September 12, 2013 at 12:42 am

    Perfect timing. Going thru lighting selection process for new construction home. It has a pretty open floorplan so lights are pretty visible from one room to the next. Love the lanterns you show here! I am already running way over the builder’s budget but worth splurging for special fixtures in the most used spaces…at least that’s what I keep telling myself, hahaha

    Reply
  14. Carmel - Our Fifth House says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:46 am

    I totally agree on the round bulbs – makes a huge difference!

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth says

    September 12, 2013 at 2:46 am

    Great post! I am in a similar situation, but it’s a little bit bigger problem as I’m looking to coordinate lighting in our new open concept home. When you walk through our front door there is an entryway lantern overhead, a dining room chandelier to your immediate right, our great room area is straight ahead with nothing, but just to the right of that you can see our kitchen table chandelier and four pendants over the kitchen bar area. Oh, and you can see one of the hallway wall sconces and can see more as you walk in and get a better angle on the hallways. Every single fixture in the house is punched tin and I’m itching to make changes! I’m liking oil rubbed bronze for our kitchen fixtures, but am not sure if I need to then do the same finish for our entryway and the dining room too. Or if I can do ORB for the entry too and something different for the dining room. I can send pictures if you want to tackle this one too.

    Reply
  16. Tricia | 724SouthHouse says

    September 12, 2013 at 3:02 am

    Great inspiration! I’m trying to talk my husband into switching the fan for a nice fixture in the kitchen…. But he likes the fan too much. Sometimes you just have to give the man what he wants… dun dun dun.

    Reply
  17. Design_Fluff says

    September 12, 2013 at 3:31 am

    I like to work through color coordination. I like the idea of using the round bulbs, too. That’s what I used with my coral chandelier.

    Reply
  18. Simply Modern Home says

    September 12, 2013 at 3:32 am

    I think as long as the fixtures are in the same style (ex: I wouldn’t mix traditional and contemporary) you’re fine. Keeping them in the same color/ finish is a good idea as well.
    Oh…and that kitchen by Windsor Smith is INSANE!!

    Reply
  19. Nina says

    September 12, 2013 at 5:03 pm

    Elizabeth, sounds like we have the same layout in our homes. I am going with either polished chrome/nickel or black metal such as foyer sconces and dining room lantern. Kitchen island pendants are going to be similar to the Harmon pendants from Restoration Hardware (shiny industrial looking) but I am stumped about lighting over breakfast easting area which is directly beside kitchen and wide open to kitchen and living room area. Considering the Thomas O’Brien Hicks pendant (silver and white one) but really unsure what to do. Anyone have ideas?

    Reply
  20. Aubree says

    September 13, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    So I have a question… if you keep your light over the island the same as your dining table light, do you want to match your kitchen cabinet hardware to the lights finish color too?

    Thanks! Great advice. I am getting ready to build & would love the help!

    Reply
    • Emily A. Clark says

      September 13, 2013 at 6:10 pm

      I wouldn’t try to match it. I like a mix rather than everything looking too uniform.

      Reply
  21. Mickey says

    October 2, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    Emily, love your lantern – where’s it from?

    Reply
  22. Tracy says

    August 19, 2016 at 1:03 am

    Thanks for all the great tips! Your pairing has some similar elements. I don’t see anything really square/rigid with anything dome-like/circular, for example, a Darlana Lantern Pendant with a Harmon Pendant (RH). Would you advise against such extreme shape differences? Thanks!

    Reply

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