Kitchen Lighting

A kitchen needs at least three layers of light. Skipping one is what makes a kitchen feel dim in some spots and glaring in others.

Kitchen Island Pendants

Kitchen island pendant lights are task lighting first, style second. They give you bright, focused light exactly where you prep, cook and gather. Sculptural glass, brass, alabaster and modern metal designs all work — the choice comes down to your cabinetry and countertop finish.

Kitchen Ceiling Lights & Flush Mounts

Ceiling and flush-mount fixtures form the ambient layer that fills the whole room. Essential for kitchens with 8–9 foot ceilings where pendants alone would feel cramped, and for hallway-adjacent kitchens where you need consistent overhead light.

Kitchen Chandeliers

A chandelier works beautifully over a breakfast nook, kitchen dining table or eat-in island. Choose crystal for formal, transitional kitchens; sculptural or geometric for modern; and wood or aged brass for farmhouse.

Under-Cabinet & Task Lighting

Not currently a primary category in this collection, but worth mentioning: linear LED strips under wall cabinets remove the shadow your body casts when you stand at the counter. Pair with any pendant scheme for a complete layered result.

Wall Lights & Sconces

Wall lights work in kitchens for reading corners, banquette seating, and pantry alcoves. They also soften the contrast when the main lights are dimmed for evening entertaining.

How to Choose Kitchen Island Pendants

Kitchen island pendants are the fixture US homeowners get wrong most often — either too small to anchor the island or hung too low over the counter. The rules that work:

How many pendants do I need?

• Island under 5 feet: 1 large pendant or 2 small
• Island 5–7 feet: 2 pendants (12–16" diameter each)
• Island 7–9 feet: 2 large or 3 medium pendants
• Island 9 feet or longer: 3 pendants, or a single linear/rectangular fixture

What size should each pendant be?

Combined pendant width should equal roughly one-half to two-thirds of your island length. For a 6-foot (72") island, that means total pendant width of 36–48" — so two 16" pendants or three 12" pendants both work.

How high should I hang them?

The bottom of the pendant should sit 30–36 inches above the countertop. For every foot of ceiling above 8 feet, add roughly 3 inches to the hanging height.

How far apart should they be?

Center-to-center spacing of 24–32 inches works for most designs. Keep at least 6–12 inches between the outermost pendants and the ends of the island.

Color Temperature & Brightness

For a kitchen, aim for:

• Color temperature: 2700K–3000K (warm white) over dining areas; 3000K–3500K (soft white to bright white) over island and prep zones. Skip anything above 4000K in a residential kitchen — it reads clinical.
• Brightness: Around 70–80 lumens per square foot in prep areas; 30–40 lumens per square foot as ambient.
• Dimming: Non-negotiable if budget allows. The light you cook by is not the light you eat by. Pair fixtures with a compatible triac, 0–10V or DALI dimmer.
• Bulbs: LED is the standard now — long-lasting, energy-efficient, and cool enough to sit safely in enclosed fixtures.

Materials & Style

Every fixture in this collection is chosen for how it handles light and how it looks switched off. Brass and champagne gold anchor traditional, transitional and English-country kitchens. Matte black and chrome work in modern and industrial spaces. Sculptural glass and hand-blown pendants bring texture to minimalist kitchens where cabinetry is doing most of the visual work. Alabaster and marble deliver a soft, honeyed glow that softens hard stone countertops beautifully.

If the exact size, drop or finish you need isn't in the collection, our bespoke service can adapt any design or build one from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pendant lights do I need over my kitchen island?

For a 5–7 foot island, two pendants is standard. For a 7–9 foot island, use two large or three medium. For islands 9 feet or longer, three pendants or a single linear fixture works best.

How high should I hang pendant lights over my kitchen island?

The bottom of the pendant should sit 30–36 inches above the countertop. For ceilings taller than 8 feet, add about 3 inches to the hanging height for every additional foot of ceiling height.

What size pendants do I need for my kitchen island?

Combined pendant width should equal roughly half to two-thirds of your island's length. For a 6-foot island, that's 36–48 inches of total pendant width — so two 16" pendants or three 12" pendants both work.

What color temperature is best for kitchen lighting?

Use 2700K–3000K (warm white) over dining and eating areas, and 3000K–3500K (soft to bright white) over island and prep zones. Avoid anything above 4000K in a home kitchen.

Do you ship kitchen lighting to the United States?

Yes. All NYRA fixtures ship to the US with free shipping and all customs duties and import taxes included. Fixtures are built to US electrical standards (110–120V) when your delivery address is in the United States.

Can kitchen pendant lights be dimmable?

Most designs in this collection can be paired with a compatible dimmer. Specify triac, 0–10V or DALI dimming at order our team will confirm compatibility before production.

How long does delivery take to the US?

Fixtures are handcrafted to order with a 5-day production window. Standard delivery to the United States is 10–12 days total. Bespoke and customized orders may take longer.