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The kitchen island is one of the most versatile spaces in the home. It can be used for a whole variety of activities – cooking prep, homework, morning coffee with the paper. In order to make sure that your kitchen island works for you, install lighting that simultaneously accommodates diverse tasks and provides the hub of your home with a bit of style.

This isn’t as daunting as it seems! Below we share seven kitchen island lighting ideas and a bit of general kitchen lighting advice to help you map out your lighting plan and get the look you’re after.

The Kitchen Island Rule of 3

If you conducted a “kitchen island lighting ideas” survey among lots of interior designers, the odds are, the most common response would be the rule of three. The use of three pendants in a row to light up the island has been a gold standard in kitchen design. While the number may seem arbitrary, this arrangement not only provides adequate illumination when sized correctly, but it also creates a soft, visual balance.

Hot Tips:

The type of pendant you choose for the kitchen is largely dependent on the size of the island. Select a pendant that when featured in threes occupies the length of the island while also leaving about 12-18” of space in between.
If you’re looking for lighting ideas for the kitchen sink, consider purchasing four pendants – three for the island and one for above the sink basin.
Don’t let the pendants block your sight. To make sure you’ve got a clear view, suspend pendants either 72” from the floor or 30-36” above the island’s countertop.

Breaking the Rules

As with most trend rules, the rule of three can be easily broken. More and more you’ll see designers lighting kitchen islands by opting for two large pendants instead of three smaller ones. Two larger pendants will give you the opportunity to make a bit of a statement.

Really Breaking the Rules

If you’re really going for kitchen rule-breaking, toss the idea of 2 and 3 pendants out the window and really go for it. Strategically suspending multi-light pendants above the island gives a magical cluster effect while providing necessary lighting for all your kitchen tasks.

Lighting with Multiple Multi-Pendant Fixtures

Multi-pendant lights are a great way to mix and match the rules. For a look that is balanced yet different, combine the multi-pendant fixture and the rule of two to uniquely illuminate the kitchen island.

Go the Distance

A simple, elegant way to illuminate a kitchen island is to select a single, long fixture, or linear suspension, that runs the length of the island. It’s both minimal and effortless.

Let the Kitchen Be the Star

If you’d like the kitchen island to do all the talking, consider lighting the island with hidden, yet powerful recessed lighting. If you light the kitchen with recessed lighting alone, it is especially important that you install a dimmer. This will make up for the lack in texture and will give you versatile lighting for all tasks and moods.

Who Doesn’t Love a Good Chandelier?

While a chandelier in the kitchen is not the most common kitchen island lighting idea, it can certainly pack a visual punch.

Depending on the size of the island, of course, you may be able to get away with only hanging a single chandelier. If this is one of the lighting ideas that appeals to you, look for a chandelier that branches outward. The more horizontal ground it covers, the more you’ll evenly illuminate the kitchen island space.

A galley kitchen consists of two parallel runs of units forming a central corridor in which to work. The galley layout works well for all kitchen styles; it’s also the preferred design of many professional chefs, who love it because it enhances safety and efficiency during cooking. Just like the compact galley on ships, for which the layout is named, galley designs optimize space by packing in an abundance of storage and work area, making them ideal for small kitchens. If you’re considering a galley layout or revamping one you have, here’s what you need to know.

What is the Right Appliance Layout for Your Kitchen?

1. Assess your space. Though galley kitchens work best in small spaces, they can also be good for medium-sized kitchens, such as the one pictured here. However, be aware that if the opposing runs are too far apart, the kitchen will lose its efficiency. (This kitchen gets it right.)

Also know that a galley layout, while ideal on a professional level, is usually an enclosed space without a dining area. That means that if there’s no possibility of opening up the space, it’s potentially not the most sociable of arrangements. On the other hand, a galley layout in an open-plan space can offer the best of both worlds. (Read on for details about galley kitchens with islands.)

2. Choose your galley look: Symmetrical … When it comes to galley kitchens, there are two layout preferences. The first is relatively symmetrical, as seen here. This usually means the length of the runs and the arrangement of units on each side mirror each other as much as possible — or as much as you want.

… or asymmetrical. You can opt for an asymmetrical layout instead, using various approaches. One involves focusing tall cabinets or a bank of appliances on one side of the room, with base and wall units on the other. Or you can go with a mix of tall and wall units along one side, with a single run of base units on the other if, for example, you have an open-plan space, as pictured here.

3. Put tall cabinets on one wall. If you’re designing a galley kitchen as described above, it’s preferable to go for a wall length of at least 12 feet so the sink and cooktop can be placed far enough away from each other. For safety, these should be at least a foot apart, but since that wouldn’t leave any work space, we always try to site them more than 3 feet apart. In this arrangement, a run of 12 feet allows for sufficient sink capacity, with cabinets or drawers beneath the range — occasionally adaptation is required for top drawers in this scenario — and it ensures that all the major appliances fit.

Finally, 12 feet allows space for the units on the opposite run — the fridge, oven housing and pantry storage, for example. This arrangement provides ample storage space, helping keep the kitchen tidy and the countertops free of clutter.

4. Or break up the run. You might prefer an asymmetrical layout with tall and base units along the same wall. For example, if a wall is just over 12 feet long, it’s likely to have three tall housings at one end and three base units at the other. Typically, there would be wall units, floating shelving or a window above the base units. Along the opposite side you could have wall units, shelving, a window or even a clear wall.

This arrangement works really well if the kitchen is quite narrow, since without a tall bank of units as you enter the kitchen, the space will feel more open.

Browse Thousands of Inspirational Galley Kitchen Photos

5. Work with a galley corridor. Depending on the layout of your home, galley kitchens may or may not be closed off at one end. If the far end leads to another room or the garden, it will see heavy traffic because it will become a thoroughfare.

Depending on the number of people in your household, this may not be a problem, but if you have small children or pets, you won’t want them charging through the kitchen while you’re holding a sharp knife or a pan of boiling water.

You can enhance the safety of your layout — particularly where the corridor is very narrow — by planning your kitchen with the sink and cooktop on the same run. Though less efficient than having those features opposite each other, this arrangement focuses your appliances in one area, so you won’t have to turn to the opposing run with potentially dangerous items in your hands.

6. Enhance a closed-off kitchen wall. A galley kitchen closed off at one end can be a safer layout, because there’s only one entrance, giving the cook greater awareness of others coming and going. But how to make good use of this wall space? It might be there’s a window here, in which case it’s important not to block your kitchen’s natural light. Adding a stool would let you sit at the far end to write out shopping lists or chat on the phone.

Alternatively, there might be room for some open shelving, a nice painting or perhaps a family-friendly chalkboard wall, as seen here, which can be used for playful drawings and notes or for shopping or to-do lists.

The clever use of the mirror in this compact kitchen is also worth noting; it creates the impression of a bigger space.

7. Create a galley with an island. I’ve mentioned that enclosed galley kitchens may not be the most sociable setting for the cook. A popular adaptation, when space allows, is the inclusion of an island.

In this kitchen, the island replaces one of the runs to become part of the kitchen layout and functionality. It sits parallel to the longer run of units and typically houses either the range or the sink. Whichever of those is not positioned in the island would be staggered on the opposing run rather than directly opposite. This staggering is safer and more efficient during cooking, because it reduces the amount of turning required between the sink and stove.

8. Make your galley sociable. Some homeowners want to add an island to a galley layout yet intend to keep the additional work surface clear. This is often the case with bakers, who like to use the space for rolling out pastry.

This was part of the goal for the kitchen seen here, which was designed for a professional recipe developer who worked from home. Her kitchen also had to accommodate the needs of her husband and two young children, and the seating on the far side of the island helps with this, keeping the kids safely clear of the cooking area but ensuring a more sociable arrangement than a standard galley would have.

9. Add seating. Sometimes there’s space for a small peninsula or breakfast bar in a galley kitchen, providing additional storage as well as dining space. Here, the peninsula at the far end of the kitchen is fully clear of the cooking zone and has seating on the far side. (It also doubles as a butcher block.)

If there’s space to add a table between the opposing runs of your galley kitchen, this can sometimes work. However, you need to be careful when planning the space, because if it pushes your work surfaces too far apart, they’ll be much less efficient.

Adding a small cart as an extra work surface might be an effective alternative, although in most cases there’s sufficient counter space in a galley to eliminate the need for this — unless it’s a specialized addition such as a butcher block.

10. Enhance a sense of space. When considering a galley layout, homeowners are keen to avoid a “corridor” effect, in which the kitchen feels small and enclosed. But even in small spaces, there are ways to avoid this.

As already mentioned, losing the continuity of tall units in favor of wall units or shelving will help open up the space. The choice of furniture also helps: High-gloss finishes in pale colors are best for reflecting light and enhancing a sense of space. Similarly, doors and drawers without handles give a clean look and take up less physical space than handled ones.

Finally, lighting is key. Well-placed and oversized lighting will soften the kitchen’s look and create the impression of more space.

A kitchen island makes everything from cooking to dining a breeze. Discover these inspiring kitchen island ideas and start planning the kitchen of your dreams

You may be dealing with a cramped galley kitchen right now, but that lack of counter space isn’t forever. Someday you’ll have room for a toaster and a coffee maker and be able to spread out with your very own kitchen island—the MVP of the home. From cooking prep to casual dining to storage, these workhorses do it all (and add an architectural focal point). So it’s no wonder that more and more renovations include the addition of a kitchen island. We’ve gathered stylish spaces from the AD archives that are full of kitchen island ideas for any style. Find inspiration for your future remodeling project in these kitchens by top architects and designers. Whether you dream of creating a spot for nightly homework, gourmet meals, or morning coffee, a practical and beautiful island will be the most used area in the house.

Add Seating

In the kitchen of designer Ray Booth and television executive John Shea’s Nashville, Tennessee, home, Roman Thomas pendant lights are installed above the Booth-designed island, Ann Sacks tile was used for the backsplash, the sink fittings are by Kohler, and the stools are by BDDW.

Install a Waterfall Island

Painted in a Benjamin Moore white, the kitchen of a Nova Scotia home designed by Alexander Gorlin is centered by an island clad in Caesarstone; the stools are by Gus Modern.

Mix Marble and Metal

The kitchen of Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent’s former New York apartment is outfitted with cabinetry and butcher-block countertops by Fanuka; the island is clad in unlacquered brass and topped with Breccia Imperiale marble from Artistic Tile. The marble shelves rest on brackets from Liz’s Antique Hardware; the subway tile is from Home Depot, the painting of Saint Peter is an 18th-century work from Peru, and the barstools are vintage American.

Make an Impact with Mirrored Surfaces

The symphony of reflective surfaces in the kitchen of a Manhattan penthouse by Jean-Louis Deniot includes the polished stainless-steel panels on the Deniot-designed island, a Guy de Rougemont free-form chrome-top table, and metallic wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries; the circular artwork is by Astrid Krogh, and the vintage swivel chairs are by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand.

Go for the Gold

The centerpiece of designer Jamie Drake’s New York kitchen is a custom-made island comprising cabinetry finished in gold leaf by the Alpha Workshops and an overlapping table in Corian with gold inlay; the pendant lights are by Drake, the counter stools are by the Bright Group, and the tabletop sculpture is by Reinaldo Sanguino.

Add Country Charm

At Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen’s former Los Angeles home, designed by architect Richard Landry and decorator Joan Behnke, antique Tunisian tile from Exquisite Surfaces makes a lively backsplash in the kitchen, which is appointed with Formations pendant lights, marble countertops from Compas Architectural Stone, custom-made alder cabinetry, an oak island, and a Wolf range.

Create Extra Storage

At a Bel Air, California, home designed by Kelly Wearstler, lanterns by Blend Interiors hang in the kitchen, which features alder-wood cabinetry and a stainless-steel-clad island with brass trim. The bespoke brass-and-cracked-glass table is by Wearstler, the range is by Wolf, and the island sink fittings are by Kallista. Near the window is a custom-made sofa in a Lee Jofa velvet.

Use Warm Woods

At the Umbrian estate of architect Benedikt Bolza and his family, the kitchen’s massive oak-top island features sink fittings by KWC.

Add Open Storage

Andy Lewis of Neumann Lewis Buchanan Architects created a new kitchen wing for this historic home in Virginia, which was decorated by Jean Perin and includes a wood island with open storage.

Make It Massive

This townhouse in New York’s Greenwich Village, designed by Leroy Street Studio architects and decorated by Christine Markatos Lowe, features a massive island that spans the kitchen.

Cover It in Marble

The kitchen of decorator Pedro Espírito Santo’s home in Lisbon, Portugal, features a marble island with a cooktop and a 19th-century Italian porcelain figure.

Create Contrast with White

The sleek island in this Shelton, Mindel & Assoc.–designed Hamptons kitchen is paired with Jean Prouvé barstools.

Mix Black and White

The kitchen in this house near Tel Aviv, Israel—renovated by homeowner Joshua Kastiel and architect Alex Meitlis—features a Corian-topped, black-lacquered island.

Center It in the Space

At a Southampton, New York, retreat renovated by interior designer David Netto and architect David Hottenroth, pendant lights by Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. illuminate the island, which is paired with BassamFellows tractor stools from Design Within Reach.

Combine Seating and Storage

In the kitchen of an Aspen, Colorado, home designed by Shawn Henderson, a vintage Louis Poulsen pendant light from Lost City Arts hangs above a Caesarstone-top island and Orange Furniture barstools upholstered in an Edelman leather; the hood is by Bulthaup, the cabinetry is by Studio B, the ovens are by Gaggenau, and the sink fittings are by Dornbracht.

Add Standout Stools

The kitchen of a Martha’s Vineyard home designed by Ariel Ashe and Reinaldo Leandro features an island illuminated by minimalist pendant lights by Davide Groppi; the barstools are by Garza Marfa.

Incorporate Appliances

Design duo Dufner Heighes chose marble surfaces in this Manhattan penthouse kitchen, which complement Bulthaup cabinetry. The space is equipped with Miele wall ovens, a Gaggenau cooktop, Dornbracht sink fittings, and a Sub-Zero wine refrigerator; the Suite NY stools are clad in a Holland & Sherry fabric.

Pair with a Table

The kitchen of a Bridgehampton, New York, home designed by Steven Gambrel has plenty of surfaces for prep, including an island and a Gambrel-designed table.

Bring in Shining Surfaces

Sleek ebonized-oak cabinetry, matching flooring, a gleaming island, and black granite counters lend a moody elegance to the revamped kitchen in this Aspen, Colorado, home decorated by Stonefox Architects.

Mix Drawers and Shelves

The kitchen of a Long Island home renovated by designer Daniel Sachs and architect Kevin Lindores includes 1920s American pendant lights over the island and a bespoke copper hood; the range is by Bertazzoni, and the cabinetry at far right is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Hague Blue.

For Merlin Wright, design director for British firm Plain English Designs, which is poised to launch its very first New York studio this spring, the most beautiful kitchens show restraint. “Some American kitchens focus on elaborate details, which can overpower the subtleties of the architecture,” he tells indoneso. While Wright admits there’s no typical British kitchen, Plain English projects certainly embody a different aesthetic than that in the U.S. “What we do are very understated Georgian-inspired kitchens,” he says of the bespoke, made-to-measure service.

Think classic Georgian joinery, brass and leather pulls, and muted colors that reflect the beautiful British landscape.

We pored through the Plain English project archive for kitchen cabinet ideas and inspiration. Consider your kitchen remodel plan sorted.

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Two-tone kitchen cabinets have been popular in recent years, but Wright has a fresh take on the trend. “You can use colors in blocks, so maybe a wall of cupboards in one color and then paint taller cupboards in another one,” he says. “You can also keep all of the cupboards the same color and paint the island an entirely different color,” which Plain English applied to this blue-and-white kitchen with brass faucets.

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Unsure whether to choose open shelves or opt for doors? Consider how frequently you’ll use the contents, says Wright. “This is a very personal decision. Open shelves look good when the contents are tidy, but if the objects on the shelves aren’t used regularly, they can get dusty, and so many clients prefer cupboards with doors.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Renovating on a budget can be challenging, but if there’s one room you shouldn’t scrimp on, it’s the kitchen. When choosing materials, he recommends thinking about how the kitchen will age. “[Our] kitchens are made with high-quality materials that age well. Timber and natural stone in hand-painted finishes are good examples,” he says.

The one finish to avoid? “We don’t use spray finishes, as they look worse with age and wear,” he says. “Everything in the kitchen is meant to age well, and [our designs] are based on models that have withstood hundreds of years and still look great.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Navy, charcoal, and black cabinets can look sharp and handsome, but Wright says they should only be chosen if your kitchen receives plenty of light. A dark color palette “can help define the form of the cupboards, [but] this sort of coloring can work as long as the room is well-lit.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

A subtle way to add character to your kitchen is by changing the cabinet interior paint color. “Different internal colors in glazed cupboards can add depth and interest to the elevation,” he says. “When using a cupboard with solid doors, it can provide an interesting contrast, like a colorful lining in a business suit.”

If you’re looking for paint color inspiration, he says warm hues are on the rise. “Now we are looking to move away from grays and putty colors to move more toward rich colors such as yellows, browns, and reds.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

“Scale is very important to note when designing a kitchen,” says Wright. Light fixtures and pulls are carefully chosen to complement the space and color scheme and ensure they age well after repeated use. “Drawer pulls are a personal choice for the homeowners, but they should be an appropriate material and size given the color of the kitchen and its overall aesthetic,” he says. “We favor unlacquered brass or iron, which are materials that age nicely with time and use.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Crisp, bright white might be a popular paint choice in the U.S., but Wright says he tends to avoid the harsh shade. “White is not an incredibly popular color in our kitchens, but if we do white, it’s an off-white or pinkish white because a brilliant white can be quite harsh,” he explains.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Cabinet color choice has the power to make a kitchen feel spacious or intimate. “Sometimes we match colors when we are working with eye-level cupboards because using the same hues makes the cupboards disappear, rather than stand out and make the room feel tighter,” he explains.

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

A master of attention to detail, Wright likes to experiment with paint finishes, too. “We do not typically paint two separate shades on a cupboard, but we would use the same hue in two different versions: gloss and eggshell,” he says. “This creates the illusion of two tones.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Wright’s number one piece of advice? “Avoid gimmicks. Character is added with accessories, such as ceramics and lighting,” he says. There’s no rush to finalize these pieces during the renovation, either. “These items can be added over time.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

Clever storage is at the heart of Plain English designs, but before drafting your dream pantry, Wright says it’s important to honestly assess the contents. “It’s key to be realistic about what needs to be stored,” he says. “For those with a lot of smaller appliances such as mixers or juicers, a counter-standing cupboard or ‘appliance garage’ is a great alternative to the traditional storage space because it blends in with the rest of the kitchen while providing an enclosed space.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

While Plain English specializes in made-to-order kitchens and interiors, Wright loves to balance new cabinets and countertops with reclaimed finds. “A favorite is reclaimed hardware such as faucets, taps, and sinks because they do not look pristine,” he says. “Another way to add character is to use restoration glass, which has a slight wobble to it.”

PLAIN ENGLISH DESIGNS

“Larder” isn’t typically a word we use when talking about American kitchens, but Wright says they’re making a comeback. “Larders are also a brilliant storage idea, and they are becoming more popular in the U.S.,” he tells indoneso. “The idea is quite an old-fashioned one, as the true larder was meant for a time before fridges. Similar to a pantry, a larder is a good way of reaching for things you use regularly like spices, herbs, or teas,” he says. “They can be turned into a sort of mini kitchen if you choose to add a sink.”