This page is part of the affordable kitchen remodeling series, created to help homeowners design an elegant kitchen that fits their budget. You can access the entire series here.
Nothing beats pendant lighting for the area above a kitchen island. Having directed task lighting above one of the most used spots in your home cannot be underestimated. Proper illumination over your island doesn’t just look nice but it makes for a safer and cleaner kitchen. Here are 15 fixtures that will make you want to build a second island just so you can hang more than one light.
Brayden Studio Burner
Smoky glass lanterns and sleek silver fixtures combine to create this impressive luminary that’s not for the faint of heart. The ultra-chic pendant highlights the industrial style in a big way. Paired with Edison style bulbs, each lantern gives off plenty of light and the overall size of the fixture works well in larger kitchens. Its 60 watt bulbs provide ample lumens for daily tasks and the piece makes a great addition to your modern style. You’ll find it at this page on Wayfair.
Eglo Bolsano
If you are looking for something sweet, simple, and bright to illuminate your island, take a look at this charmer. Three frosted glass cylindrical shades housed in a clear glass sphere hang in a row, suspended from a sleek silver bar. Each pendant uses a 100 watt bulb that casts plenty of downlight. This particular fixture can also be used with a dimmer, so if you want to turn the lights down low for some ambient lighting you can do just that.
Toltec Tiffany Style
The beauty of Tiffany style in multiple pendant form, this gorgeous island pendant light is sure to get compliments. Three Tiffany-style shades featuring dragonfly imagery are suspended from a steel bar. Each shade covers a bright 150 watt bulb that illuminates the amber-colored glass panels beautifully. This will provide great task lighting and it will look great in any kitchen. If this style suits you there are 18 more to choose from here.
Edvivi Crystal Chandelier
This dramatic light combines opulence and antique charm in one package. The aged-look iron fixture features 4 lights surrounded by rows cascading teardrop-shaped glass crystals. It is bright enough for task lighting but can also be used with a dimmer for the perfect ambient glow.
Hobson 36-inch Feiss Hobson
The aged brass trim on the seeded glass shades of this multi pendant light give it just the right amount of class. The antique style is charming with Edison bulbs and the multi-section hanging rod can be adjusted to just the right height for your kitchen island. As an added bonus, you can use either incandescent, fluorescent, or LED bulbs in the fixtures.
Trent Austin Kitchen Island Pendant
This light mixes old and new styles to create a look that’s on point and perfect for your modern kitchen. The clear angles and lines of the rectangular shade give it geometric inspiration. The glass panels can also be left out for a lighter, simpler look. When paired with three Edison style bulbs, this pendant brings character and charm–and plenty of light. The 60 watt incandescent bulbs provide ample light for cooking, reading, or other task work in the kitchen.
Hinkley Lighting Gallery - Thistledown
This antique-style offering looks as though it could have been salvaged from an old inn or farmhouse. Its charm lies in the mix of bronze and creamy white glass shades on its three pendant lights. Suspended by two adjustable chains, it allows it to be hung at just the right height over your island. You can buy this particular fixture here and see the entire Thistledown collection at this link.
Westerville
This glass and metal pendant only has two lights, but it’s more than enough to provide ample task lighting in your kitchen. The frosted white shades and brushed nickel finish create an antique look that offers plenty of illumination for all your needs. Suspended from dual chains, this pretty fixture will be the perfect centerpiece for your kitchen. I couldn’t find it any cheaper than at Home Depot.
Quoizel Ashville
This beautiful Tiffany-style by Quoizel adds drama and color above the island. The 44-inch wide glass shade is trimmed in bronze and has three incandescent bulbs within, illuminating the colored glass panels and creating a beautiful ambience above your kitchen island. More info and pics here on the Quoizel site.
Williston Forge Anissa
This stunning pendant features four candelabra style lights with cylindrical shades. Paired with an antique bronze finish, the look is contemporary and stark, but with a soft, feminine touch brought by the etched glass shades. This will provide plenty of ambient illumination for tasks and it looks great even when it’s not illuminated. I found it at a few places but most interestingly at Staples.
Vaxcel Lodge
This quirky kitchen island pendant light would be at home in a country style kitchen, or you could hang it in your hunting lodge for added ambience. Crossed stag horns support two cream-colored glass shades the bulbs for a look that’s definitely inspired by hunting and the countryside. Here’s the manufacturers webpage.
Artcraft San Jose
The San Jose by Artcraft features three individual pendants with glass shades that are covered with wire baskets for a look that’s textured and modern. Each is adjustable so you can vary the height as needed. The chrome canopy supporting the lights contrasts nicely with the subdued color of the wire baskets, making this a good fit for a modern-style kitchen.
Toltec Multi-Light Mini Island Pendant
This light by Toltec is a throwback to the art deco style. It features three teal colored glass shade lamps attached to a deep bronze canopy. Each glass shade is styled like a floral bud with pretty details and a bright 100 watt bulb is used in each one, casting ample lumens for all your kitchen tasks. Plus, this pendant can be used with a dimmer so you can create a more subdued ambient light, if you want.
Forte Upturned Umber Linen
This elegant candelabra-style pendant light features six separate shades with upturned umber linen glass shades. The opaque look to the shades allows for a gentle glow that looks amazing over your kitchen island. Each shade houses a 100 watt bulb so there’s enough light for your task work, too. Available online or you can use their “Where To Buy” tool if you prefer to see it first.
Williston Forge Esteban
This dramatically beautiful pendant makes a stunning addition over any island. With three textured glass shades (you can get them in a variety of colors) and a rich, bronze finish, this island pendant exudes warmth and charm. Each adjustable shade uses a 60 watt bulb to provide the perfect level of lighting for your kitchen’s needs. Not widely available but can be found on Wayfair.
