Lamps in the Kitchen

When you think about lamps in the home, your nightstand or living room side table are probably the first places that come to mind. But lamps can be used in so many rooms, including the kitchen. The right lamps in the kitchen can create a cozy atmosphere and provide helpful task lighting. Plus, they’re a great alternative to traditional overhead lights, which can be harsh on the eyes.

In a kitchen, where counters are usually covered in rustic fruit bowls, white plates, and vintage canisters, a lamp can add an elegant, sculptural element to the space. They also can help fill voids above cabinets that can’t be filled with conventional overhead fixtures. For example, a small lamp like the one seen in this kitchen by Cote de Texas can be placed on a wood riser to draw the eye up and provide a light that looks especially pretty with the fruit bowls and other decor on the counter.

Another advantage of kitchen lamps is that they can be used to illuminate dark corners that are difficult to reach with a standard ceiling fixture. For this purpose, a floor or pendant lamp can work well. Unlike sconces and ceiling lights, these types of lamps aren’t positioned close to the ceiling, so they’re less likely to cause shadows on countertops or nearby furniture.

A kitchen is a busy place, and you want the lighting in this heart of your home to be versatile so that it can accommodate all of your daily activities. From bright task lighting for meal prep to soft light for a family dinner and even medium light for a game of cards, lamps in the kitchen can provide the perfect mood for every situation.

When choosing a lamp for your kitchen, be sure to consider the dimensions of your table and the size of the shade. For a dining table, a lamp should be about 1.5 times as high as the top of the table and shouldn’t be wider than the edge of the table. Also, check the size of your bulbs; some lamps only take smaller candelabra-style bulbs, which won’t give you the same amount of light.

If you prefer a pendant light in your kitchen, the Marla Pendant Smoke from Lindby is an excellent option. It features three uniquely shaped shades in smoke-colored glass that reflect upward light and illuminate the room while maintaining a modern expression that fits with most styles of decor. Or, try the Beat Light collection from Tom Dixon for a retro yet modern lamp that brings life to any kitchen.