8 Kitchen Lighting Trends Designers Say You Need to Follow to Add Layered Warmth to Your Space in 2026

If you want to light your kitchen in style this year, look no further. Designers have weighed in on the kitchen lighting trends set to dominate in 2026. Kitchen lighting trends always come in endlessly inspiring when looking for ways to give your scheme a fresh look, or simply encourage you to think outside the box. So, once you've decided where to buy kitchen lighting, let trends guide you on the styles to look out for, too.

And this year's certainly don't disappoint. From chic chandeliers to small but mighty sconces, these are the kitchen lighting styles, layouts, and fixtures interior designers are most excited about for 2026 – and you should be too.

Whether you want to create a warm and inviting ambiance, nail a layered lighting scheme, or need your fixtures to work a bit harder in your overall design, designers assure that these 2026 trends are exactly where you need to start.

1. Lighting That Highlights Decor

Lighting goes beyond function in 2026, with kitchens embracing a more decorative approach. Particularly in schemes with open shelving filled with decor, wall lights to illuminate them are set to become all the more sought after.

'Wall lights positioned over open shelving are becoming increasingly popular, particularly designs that can be repositioned. They allow artwork, ceramics, and personal objects to be gently highlighted, bringing a sense of character and individuality into what is often a hardworking space,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.

And it's a kitchen lighting trend that proves to be incredibly versatile, too. 'Wall lights with shades can be refreshed seasonally, allowing the kitchen to evolve without major changes, reinforcing the idea of the kitchen as a lived-in, personal room rather than a purely utilitarian one,' she explains.

2. Narrow-Beam Downlights

There's a reason kitchen island pendants have been the go-to for so long, but if you're searching for something a bit different, there's a slightly different approach emerging to light the workhorse of the kitchen, as Elizabeth Valkovics, founder and creative director at Batten Court Design, explains.

'A well-lit kitchen is no longer about one big fixture. It’s about thoughtful layering. Narrow-beam downlights over the island offer precise illumination without competing with decorative elements elsewhere,' she says.

'The result is a kitchen that works hard and looks effortless: functional zones are defined, yet the overall feel remains cohesive and calm. Use the back elevation as the visual centerpiece with a pair of sculptural sconces or thoughtfully chosen pendants.'

3. Modern Kitchen Chandeliers

'In 2026, I’m excited to see a shift toward linear chandeliers over kitchen islands. We’ve enjoyed a long era of pendants, and it’s simply time for something fresh. I’m not referring to the elongated lanterns that had a big moment a decade ago,' says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer at Gray Oak Studio.

'These next-generation chandeliers will go one of two ways: either clean and minimal, offering strong function while allowing deeper color palettes and richer natural wood tones to take center stage, or sculptural and bold, becoming the statement at the heart of the kitchen.'

This simpler take on a classic design is less about glamor and more about adding a softer feature that still allows the bolder, more colorful kitchen features to shine. 'This lighting trend supports the movement toward more colorful, unique, and expressive kitchens. A linear island chandelier reinforces the departure from all-white or white-and-oak kitchens that have dominated for so long,' she explains.

'A minimal fixture allows richly hued cabinetry and punchy backsplashes to shine, while a more sculptural statement piece becomes the muse for the room’s joyful, layered story. Kitchens are no longer playing it safe, and this evolution in lighting reflects that confidence.'

4. Floor Lamps

The kitchen counter lamp trend has taken the design world by storm, and it will continue to do so as we head into 2026. However, people are taking this more layered, ambient lighting approach a step further.

That's right, floor lamps are making their way out of the living room into the kitchen, filling empty corners and illuminating our spaces in a truly unexpected way. But where counter space is scarce, it's an alternative that won't clutter your surfaces.

This deVOL kitchen is a perfect example, where a charming floor lamp with a pleated fabric shade sits at the end of a run of cabinetry. It fills an empty gap perfectly, and in open-plan rooms, it's a lighting option that can help to zone the spaces.

5. Subtle Integrated LED Lights

In 2026, kitchen lighting trends are going beyond the wall and ceiling fixtures and making their way into our storage. It's about creating elevated ways to make every corner more functional, and layering integrated lighting with more traditional sources is key.

'Integrated LED lighting within niches and shelving will continue to grow in popularity. Used subtly, it draws attention to architectural details and joinery while creating a soft, ambient glow rather than a single, dominant light source,' says Lauren.

'It gives a kitchen a more relaxed, inviting feel. Layered lighting makes it easier to shift the mood throughout the day, from bright and practical to warm and atmospheric in the evening. It also offers flexibility.'

6. Small But Decorative Sconces

It's not always easy to get spotlights right in a kitchen lighting scheme. But in 2026, many designers are choosing to ditch them altogether, instead opting for a more decorative, wall-mounted alternative.

'More people are choosing small decorative fixtures and sconces instead of recessed cans for everyday lighting,' says Micaela Quinton, director of design at Copper Sky Design + Remodel, who expects this to be a trend that only grows over the year.

The best part of this kitchen lighting trend is that the sconces double as the chicest decor, especially if you choose the right design. For a vintage-inspired look, Anthropologie's Eloise Scallop Milk Glass Wall Light is a chic choice, or for something more sculptural, try the Caro Sconce from Lulu and Georgia.

7. Dimmable Layered Lighting

This year, kitchen lighting trends are focusing on the ambiance, not just the fixtures themselves. As such, thoughtful details like bulb temperatures and endlessly useful dimmers are at the top of most designers' lists. Combined with a layered approach, you will have yourself a practically faultless scheme.

'One word to sum up, emerging lighting in a kitchen? Revolutionary. Being the hub of the home, every kitchen will start to have multiple layers of lighting. And you can expect it to make a huge impact on the overall look and feel of the design,' says interior designer Laura Fox.

'There will be overhead lighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting. But it doesn’t just stop there; each one might be on a dimmer or a timer. We now have the option to set lights to certain color temperatures throughout the day, or better yet, change as the day progresses.'

8. Tactile Materials

It's not unusual to reach towards solid materials like metal, porcelain, and glass when it comes to kitchen lighting, but in 2026, designers say it's time to try something a bit more tactile.

'Kitchen trends in 2026 are all about warmth and personality. As kitchens move further away from being purely functional spaces, lighting is becoming softer, more layered, and more expressive. Uniform rows of glass pendants are giving way to characterful designs that feel considered and lived-in,' says Jo Plant, chief creative officer at Pooky.

'We’re seeing a real shift towards natural, tactile materials such as rattan, seagrass, fabric, and ceramics, often paired with wooden tables rather than fixed islands. These elements add texture, color, and individuality, helping kitchens feel far more personal and less showroom perfect.'

Shop the Biggest Kitchen Lighting Trends of 2026

Lighting is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to refresh your kitchen, so embracing trends and designer advice will ensure you get it right. It's about investing in pieces that show personality while adding warmth to your kitchen. It's really out with the stark and utilitarian and in with the characterful designs in 2026.