Sourced by Homes & Gardens: Where to Buy Kitchen Lighting That is Equal Parts Pretty and Practical
Illuminate your cooking space in style with these top-recommended places to buy
Lighting is more than just a practical element of your design. Yes, it needs to be functional for the essential tasks that take place here, but it also needs to be layered, multi-functional, and create a sense of warmth in the space.
But where can you find designs that execute perfect kitchen lighting while also adding a decorative touch to your cooking space? Luckily for you, we've done all of the hard work to find the best places to buy kitchen lighting to suit every style and budget.
Luxury & Designer Retailers
Lighting has such a huge impact on your kitchen; investing in luxurious designs can make all the difference. It not only assures your space is illuminated sufficiently, but it transforms your fixtures into something more statement, decorative, and even sculptural in some cases. To make your investment worthwhile, these are the places to shop.
McGee & Co.
Instead of being overly trend-led, McGee & Co. sticks to neutral colors and classic forms, like the Kipling Pendants shown here.
Founded by interior designer Shea McGee, you'll find kitchen lighting ranging from oversized pendants to vintage-inspired sconces at McGee & Co. The designs here can easily be described as classic and neutral, bringing an air of timeless style to your kitchen.
Best for: Classic silhouettes in neutral color palettes
Lead times: Generally 4 to 6 business days
Price: $$-$$$
Anthropologie
The variety of colors and silhouettes adds character to kitchens of every style.
Bold and playful, Anthropologie is the place to shop for kitchen lighting in fun colors with vintage-inspired styles. Think green glass, scallop edge details, and pleated, patterned shades. It's also a great place to look for unique wall lights and sculptural sconces if you want to create something more decorative.
Best for: Vintage style and playful designs
Lead times: 1 to 3 business days, up to 3 weeks for larger items
Price: $$-$$$
Rejuvenation
Most renowned for its metallic finishes, you can also find lighting in more classic color palettes, like the Theo Rod Pendant, shown here in unlacquered brass with a matte mulberry exterior.
If you're looking for luxury kitchen lighting, Rejuvenation offers a wide selection. The designs here feel really classic, with something to suit traditional and modern tastes. Most lights come in a range of colors and finishes, so expect to see some really chic brass options here.
Best for: Variety of finishes and classic forms
Lead times: 2 to 10 business days
Price: $$$-$$$$
Pottery Barn
You'll find plenty of glass kitchen lighting examples for a more elegant, pared-back finish, like the Beck Cast Glass Round Pendant shown in this design.
Pottery Barn is known for its rustic wooden furniture, but the kitchen lighting is certainly more elegant and refined. Think round iron chandeliers, milk glass pendant lights, and a mix of aged brass and marble sconces, although there are a few woven and rattan designs for those who prefer something more natural.
Best for: Elegant designs and aged finishes
Lead times: Usually 3 to 5 business days
Price: $$-$$$
Magnolia
Texture and style are at the heart of Magnolia's designs, shown beautifully in the Lucinda Pendant, adding a natural texture to schemes.
Magnolia has a small but beautifully curated edit of kitchen lighting, from charming rattan pendants to more contemporary takes on chandeliers. Each design has texture and interest in mind, with sculptural forms and charming decorative details featured in every light.
Best for: Charming designs that add a characterful detail
Lead times: 3 to 7 days for most lights
Price: $$-$$$
Visual Comfort
From more industrial designs to classic brass, like the Reese Pendant, every light here embraces timeless style.
With a dedicated section for kitchen pendant lights, it's clear to see why Visual Comfort is a favorite among designers, always gaining mention in Homes & Gardens' house and kitchen tours. The designs here are elegant and luxurious, but the price points vary from the low hundreds to the thousands, offering something for a range of styles and budgets.
Best for: Designer-approved kitchen fixtures
Lead times: 1 day to 3 weeks, depending on product
Price: $$-$$$$
Pooky
From pendant lights to sconces and even a few cordless lamps, Pooky is a one-stop shop for a layered lighting scheme.
A British lighting brand that's made its way over to the States, Pooky is the place to shop for classic designs and colorful, patterned designs. It's another brand where you can shop by room, so finding quality lighting that suits the needs of a kitchen has never been easier. Think rattan, glass, and colorful shades to consider.
Best for: Classic lighting styles with colorful adornments
Lead times: 7 to 10 working days
Price: $$-$$$
Vintage, One-of-a-Kind Finds & Speciality Makers
For a unique, focal point of your kitchen, sourcing your lighting from artisan makers or even vintage sellers is a great way to achieve a more custom finish. Remember to be extra vigilant when buying vintage or antique examples, though – they may need a lot of work or rewiring to be up to today's safety standards.
deVOL
deVOL's kitchen lights may be an investment, but they are the sort of designs you keep forever – the Heirloom Gaselier Light will feel just as timeless in 20 years as it does today.
Each one of deVOL's beautiful lighting offerings is made by hand, with most of the pendants being made to order. It means you can be sure to receive high-quality designs – there's a vintage feel to all of the designs, from the Pleated Porcelain Pendants and Frilly Glass Lights to the Heirloom Task Lighting.
Best for: Timeless styles and beautiful craftsmanship
Lead times: 6 to 10 weeks due to being made to order
Price: $$$-$$$$
Etsy
Alongside vintage and sculptural lighting, there are also some classic designs, like these Dome Pendants.
Etsy has become renowned as the place to shop if you want unique, hand-crafted home decor, and it's also great for kitchen lighting. You'll find a real variety of new and old, from Mid-century wall lights and handmade alabaster sconces to woven basket pendants and handmade wooden designs.
Best for: a mix of handmade and vintage designs
Lead times: varied per seller
Price: $-$$$
Chairish
Vintage lighting is a chic way to add character to a modern kitchen, or create a sense of authenticity in a traditional scheme.
A marketplace dedicated to vintage, hand-crafted, and contemporary furniture and decor, you can be sure to find unique kitchen lighting at Chairish. There's a dedicated section for kitchen lighting, something you don't see with a lot of brands, which makes sourcing your dream fixtures so much easier.
Best for: Truly unique new and vintage lighting
Lead times: Varies by seller
Price: $-$$$
Vaughan
Who says kitchen lighting can't be beautiful? This Antibes Leaf Chandelier brings a touch of delicacy to the scheme.
If you prefer a unique, decorative lighting design, look no further than Vaughan. You won't find anything similar elsewhere, showcasing decorative brass fixtures with botanical motifs, alongside layered fixtures featuring iron and glass. It's all beautiful, heritage materials combined with ornate craftsmanship.
Best for: Decorative designs and unique chandeliers
Lead times: Up to 21 days
Price: $$$
Affordable Finds
Budget is a huge factor to consider, whether you are undertaking a full remodel or a simple refresh. If you are searching for affordable kitchen lighting, these are the brands we trust most to deliver classic forms and timeless styles at a more modest price point.
Wayfair
Just because the designs are more affordable doesn't mean they are basic. This hammered glass kitchen pendant adds so much texture.
If you want to browse a range of styles and prices, Wayfair offers just that. From pendants to sconces, and even cordless counter lamps. There really is something for every budget, too, with prices ranging from $70 up to the high hundreds – perfect if you aren't sure exactly what style of kitchen lighting you want in your scheme.
Best for: Variety of styles and caters to every budget
Lead times: Generally 1 to 2 days, depending on the delivery chosen
Price: $-$$
Target
You'll find such a mix of material options at Target, from classic porcelain to more natural materials, like this Brass and Rattan Pendant Light.
Known for their celebrity and designer collaborations, there's plenty of kitchen lighting at Target to bring a chic finish to your space in a more affordable way. Most notable are the Studio McGee collaboration and the extensive collections with Magnolia, a brand founded by designer Joanna Gaines.
Best for: Collaborations with designers
Lead times: 1 to 2 days
Price: $-$$
Walmart
There are some great, classic lighting designs, including these Dome Pendants.
Walmart offers a similar range of lighting to Wayfair, but it offers a lot of different types, including under-cabinet lighting options, alongside the usual pendants, chandeliers, and even flush mounts. There are lots of affordable finds under $100, but stick to the more classic, simple silhouettes for a more stylish finish.
Best for: Budget-friendly designs and under-cabinet fixtures
Lead times: Generally 2 to 7 days
Price: $-$$
IKEA
Affordable doesn't mean basic – many of IKEA's kitchen lighting designs look more expensive than they are.
IKEA has become the go-to for most people furnishing a home, but its kitchen lighting offerings are also worth considering. It's among the most affordable, with designs ranging from rattan pendants to fluted glass flush mounts. Most items are under $100.
Best for: Simple but stylish lighting at affordable prices
Lead times: Next day to a few weeks, depending on the order
Price: $
Our Favorite Kitchen Lighting to Shop Now
To introduce texture and a more charming detail, this scalloped pendant is a pretty addition to your kitchen. Available in three colors, it's a reminder of just how pretty your kitchen lighting can be.
For a classic island pendant light, this double pendant is a timeless design in spaces of every style. The black hardware paired with the fabric shades adds a lovely contrast to you kitchen scheme.
Mixing materials always looks so chic, and this pendant blends a vintage brass light with an alabaster marble finial. It's a unique take on a classic form, and can be easily height-adjusted to suit your space.
It's easy to get caught up in the hard-wired kitchen lighting, but a counter lamp is just as important. This cordless design comes in a few bold colors, but this burgundy shade will stand the test of time.
You can introduce color through your ceiling lighting, too. This pendant features a brass chain with a crackled shade in a mossy green hue. It's elegant and classic in form, but the pop of color adds a playful element.
Once you ad wall lights to your kitchen, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. These sconces are a timeless option, bringing additional light while doubling up as the chicest wall decor.
FAQs
What Type of Lighting is Best for Kitchens?
The best lighting for your kitchen will depend on the size, layout, and amount of natural light in your kitchen. However, designers generally follow the rule of three, which requires a layered approach of task, accent, and ambient lighting.
The functional lighting needs to be tackled first. Your main ceiling lights need to provide sufficient illumination for the functional needs of your kitchen. Opt for a slightly brighter bulb, and ensure your main work surfaces benefit. This could be spotlights (if you can find flattering examples) or pendant lights in the right places.
Follow this with task lighting. Most people opt for a movable wall light above a sink or cooktop, or even under cabinet lighting to brighten dark corners of the kitchen. To soften the scheme, introduce accent lighting through lamps or picture lights to create a warmer, more inviting glow and to highlight decor.
How Much Should I Pay for Kitchen Lighting?
How much you spend on kitchen lighting all depends on what you are looking for. If you are on a tighter budget, there are plenty of designs for less than $100 from more affordable retailers; however, they won't have the same craftsmanship and longevity as more expensive pieces.
For high-quality lighting that looks beautiful and stands the test of time, you are looking at spending anywhere from $200 to around $500, but this will vary depending on the size of the light and the style. A large pendant light will inevitably cost more than a petite design, so it will depend on the look you are trying to achieve.
On the other end of the spectrum, speciality lighting that's either handmade or a rare vintage find can cost a lot more – we're talking in the thousands. However, they are pieces you will have in your home forever, and potentially have a resale value.
Make sure you have a clear budget before you start looking for kitchen lighting. This will ensure you know how much you have to spend on lights, whether it's just pendant or a mix of ceiling and wall lighting. This way, you can shop directly with the brands within your budget and get a realistic vision for what you can afford.
Your kitchen lighting blends beauty and function, which is why choosing the right design is so important. These brands and retailers offer quality and style, so you won't need to replace your fixtures too regularly. If you're starting from scratch, make sure you read up on all the lighting basics you need to know.
