Lamp over the island for the kitchen - which one to choose and how high to hang it? Inspirations!

2022-04-21

Lamp over the kitchen island - which one to choose and how high to hang it?

If in your home, specifically in your kitchen there is room for the kitchen island of your dreams, you certainly want it to look great and be a decoration of your space. One of the very important elements of the design of a kitchen island - naturally, in addition to the building itself and the countertop, is its lighting. However, before you go to choose a specific lamp over the island for the kitchen, you need to consider several aspects and adjust the fixture and the number of shades, as well as their placement to the size of your island. Find out how large fixtures to choose, how high to hang the lamp over the island and how far apart to place the lamp shades. We also have some inspiration for you to help you choose the best lamp over the island in the kitchen.

How to choose a lamp for the size of the kitchen island?

As a rule, the size of the lamp and the number of lamp shades should correspond to the amount of light you need. However, when choosing a pendant lamp over an island, it is also important to consider:

size and height of the lamp/shades
room height
the height, length and width of your island
the size of the kitchen and the space in which the island is located - whether it is a separate room or perhaps a kitchen connected to the living room and located in a small apartment

In general, the longer the kitchen island and the higher the room, the larger (wider and higher) your lamp can be. The shorter the island and the lower the ceiling, the smaller (narrower and shorter) should be the selected fixture. We realize how general these guidelines are, but it is difficult to set specific parameters, since interior design is not an exact science. It is impossible to define everything by specific dimensions, especially since lamps with transparent glass shades, look very different from those with full lampshades. What matters is the right proportions, and if your island is large and long, you can choose both two very large pendant lamps, or three with smaller shades.

If you want your island to make an impression, choose lamps according to the "Go big or go home" principle. Many interior designers advise choosing larger rather than smaller lamp shades, and for some time now it is the larger lamps that have definitely been in trend. Therefore, do not be afraid of large fixtures - as long as they fit the proportions of the island size, they are sure to look good, and by providing a strong accent, you will get a wow effect!

However, in the case of a small kitchen transitioning into the living room, it is sometimes better to choose smaller lamps that are not so conspicuous and that will not compete too much with the lamps or decor of the rest of the space.

Our tip: Cut two strips of blue painter's tape of the length that corresponds to the diameter of your chosen lampshades, then stick them in the form of a cross on the island to check that the proportions are right.

Lamp over the kitchen island - one or several?

Just as with the size and width of the shades, it is impossible to say definitively how many shades you need, but the number depends primarily on the length of your island. Below we write about the distance at which the different lampshades should hang from each other. Check this part of the article, compare the distances given with your plans in terms of the number of lamps over the kitchen island.

If during the measurements you find that the length of your island does not allow you to properly place the selected number of lampshades, consider whether you should reduce the number of lampshades. Shades hung too close together will not look good, especially if their lampshades are wide and shaped like an upturned bowl. The case is different for cylindrical tubes, small spherical shades or small transparent glass shades and triple lamps on the ceiling strip, which are actually a single light fixture, and as long as the shades will not protrude beyond the perimeter of the island, it means that such a lamp is suitable for it.

How high above the kitchen island to hang the lamp and at what distance from each other the lamp shades should hang?

Another important aspect of planning the lighting of your kitchen with a kitchen island is the question of how high above the countertop the lamp shades should hang. The best height for hanging a lamp over a kitchen island is between 75 cm and 85 cm (calculated from the countertop to the bottom of the lampshade). Of course, it all depends on the purpose of the island (whether it is not an island with a cooktop, sink, etc.), what shape and nature of the fixture we choose and even on how tall our household members are. It is worth considering whether the lampshades will not, for example, obstruct our view from the kitchen to the living room or TV, or the faces of guests sitting on the other side of the island.

How to place lamps over a kitchen island - a little math...

If you have already chosen lamps and want to calculate at what distance from each other to hang them, it is best to calculate it as follows:

Suppose your island is 2 m long and you want to hang two 38 cm diameter lamps over it. Multiply their dimensions times two (38 cm x 2 = 76 cm) and subtract the result from the length of the island (200 cm - 76 cm = 124 cm). Then add 1 to the number of lampshades you want to hang - in this case we have 2 + 1 = 3, and divide the previously obtained result by this number: 124 cm : 3 = 41 cm. The result is the distance by which the shades of your two lamps should be apart. In this calculation, the distance of the lampshades from the shorter edge of the island will be 41.5 cm, so rest assured that you can move the lampshades an additional 20 cm away from each other or choose a larger diameter for your lamps, if the width of the island allows it.

At what distance from each other should hang lamp shades over the kitchen island?

There are several ways to determine at what distance from each other the lamp shades over the kitchen island should hang, and how much narrower from its longer and shorter edges they should be. Here are some of the rules:

the distance between the lampshades should not be less than their diameter, and ideally should be twice its diameter
if you are illuminating a short island (between 180 and 210 cm long), use two pendant lamps at least 75 cm apart and equally spaced from the center of the island
as a general rule of thumb, measure the width of the island and subtract 30 cm from it to determine the maximum width that your lamps should have. There should be 15 cm of space between the edge of the lampshade and the longer edge of the island
lamp shades should end about 30 cm (minimum 20 cm) before the shorter edge of the islands

Which lamp over the kitchen island to choose? Check out our inspirations!

Pendant lamps over a large kitchen island

If your home has room for a large kitchen island, it is worth thinking about large lamps that will emphasize its size and add character to the space. Such lamps will be lamps from the Nautilius collection available in glossy chrome and matte black and white. Nautilius lamps - as the name suggests - are nautical-style lamps, but thanks to the available color versions, they will work well not only in a space decorated in the trendy Hamptons style. Choose the silver version for a modern classic style kitchen, white for a Scandinavian kitchen or black for a space arranged in an industrial style.

Nautilius lamps are shaped like an inverted bowl, so the light is directed downward, but by closing the fixture from below with a frosted glass, the light does not glaring and is pleasantly diffused, perfect for illuminating a kitchen island. Nautilius lamps with pendants in the form of decorative chains, are also characterized by visible, stylized screws and fixing "butterflies", which stand out on the edgy, smooth surface of the lamp, like beautiful jewelry.

If you are looking for a lamp over the kitchen island, check first of all nautilius lamps in size L with a diameter of 38 cm, which will be ideal over an island with a width of 70 cm or more and a length of min. 150 cm for 2 - and correspondingly longer for more lampshades.

Lamps over the kitchen island in the industrial style

If your kitchen, as well as the whole house, is decorated in an industrial style, pay attention to the pendant lamps from the Frame collection. The design of these lamps is based on steel shades enclosed in wire mesh, and the availability of different colors of textile suspension accompanying lampshades in black or white, opens the field for interesting arrangements and the introduction of additional color into the interior.

Frame pendant lamps will look great over the kitchen island, providing a strong accent in an interior with other elements of steel, brick or concrete walls. This type of fixture will also work well over a kitchen island in a Masurian barn-style home or a summer cottage by the sea.

Lamps over kitchen island in minimalist style

If your home, and consequently your kitchen, is decorated in a minimalist style, you need lamps that fit this style. A great solution for modern apartments is the Roll lamp, whose shades have a cylindrical, simple shape. The long tubes (available in black or white) look great hung over a kitchen island or bar countertop.

Although the Roll lamp fixtures are only 3 cm in diameter, do not hang them in too large a number, as minimalism does not like exaggeration in any form. 3 - 4 pieces are enough to elegantly emphasize the ascetic, minimalist character of the space. Remember, however, that the light of the Roll lamps will only be an accent light. The role of working light, in this case, must be taken over by other light sources (for example, matching with its cylindrical shape, surface-mounted luminaires from the Barlo collection).

Pendant lamps over a kitchen island in a small apartment or a kitchen open to the living room

The choice of lamp over the kitchen island in the case of a kitchen open to the living room (especially in a small apartment or house), is largely determined by the design and lighting of the living area. Lamps over the kitchen island or kitchen bar top, in this case, must not steal the whole "show", or interfere too much with the overall perception of the interior.

If you are looking for delicate lamps over a kitchen island - an island that is small or over a countertop that is also the place where you eat breakfast or dinner, it is worth considering the choice of several small, stylized transparent glass shades or delicate lamps with small spherical shades.

An example of such subtle fixtures very often chosen for kitchen island lighting arrangements are lamps from the Longis collection in chrome or in a version combining gold and black. These lamps are available with four different shapes of shades, which look great in their company. The transparent shades expose the light sources, and the use of bulbs with decorative filament will emphasize the industrial character of the lamps. Longis lamps are available in both lamps with a ceiling strip and three or four shades, matching kitchen islands (or tables) with a length of about 160 cm, or as single pendant lights with textile braided suspension for any arrangement over a longer or shorter island.

If you are looking for frames with a slightly more classic, but still delicate shape, take a closer look at lamia collection. Small lampshades - spheres of white glass decorated shade holdermi with beautiful sleeves, decorate a small kitchen island or bar top like beautiful jewelry.

Lamps over a kitchen island with character

If you're looking for something bold, something eye-catching, a setting with a bit of artistic flair and shape, take a look at the lamps from the Cloe collection in size L (with a diameter of 40 cm). The organic shape of the white lampshades with asymmetrically distributed indentations resembling craters will look great over the kitchen island against the background of white smooth cabinet fronts (especially in a group of 2 - 3 lamps). The artistic nature of the lamps in the collection, will enliven a minimalist kitchen, add character to a classic style kitchen and will be the perfect addition to interiors reminiscent of Parisian townhouse apartments in their design. For an even better match, the collection offers lamps with silver or gold finishes.

Lamps over kitchen island linear

If you're looking for a pendant lamp over an island for a minimalist, modern kitchen or can't decide whether you need one or two lamps over your countertop, you may want to consider buying a linear pendant lamp. Lamps of this type, due to their simple, elongated form, are great over a kitchen island and provide plenty of light. Models such as linea DIM linear pendant lamp or apolin linear lamp are additionally equipped with dimmers that allow you to adjust the intensity of the light, so you can adjust the light to suit the time of day and your mood. When preparing a meal, you set the maximum brightness, and in the evening, with a cup of your favorite tea, you dim the lamp so that it gives a cozy glow. Lamps from the Apolin collection mhey additionally have the ability to adjust the color temperature of the light for an even better match of light to our natural diurnal rhythm.

Lamp over the island in the kitchen - what to pay attention to?

In conclusion, when choosing a lamp or pendant lamps over the island for the kitchen, pay attention to:

dimensions (length and width) of the kitchen island,
the size of the kitchen and the layout of the room (whether it is a kitchen connected to the living room or a separate space),
room height,
the amount of light needed in relation to the function of the island (whether the island will be used for preparing, eating, or perhaps cooking food, or whether it will only serve a decorative function),
a number of individual elements such as the height of the household members, the question of the layout of the room (whether the lamps will not obstruct your TV, guests sitting on the opposite side of the island), etc.

Also keep in mind some golden rules for choosing a lamp over a kitchen island. Here they are:

The bigger the island, the bigger the lamp shades you can afford. Remember that their outer edges should not protrude beyond the outline of the island, with the best if from the outer edge of the lampshade to the longer side of the island we will have at least 15 cm left on both sides, and from the shorter edges of the island 20 - 30 cm each.
If you decide to use more than one lamp shade, you need to make sure that the lamp shades are at least as far apart as their single, or preferably double, diameter.
If you hesitate whether to bet on smaller or larger lampshades, choose the latter! Large lamps are not only on trend, but also more impressive.
Your kitchen connects to the living room and flows seamlessly into it? Decide which lighting - whether in the living room or over the island - will play first fiddle in your space. If the choice is the living room, it is worth thinking about a delicate lamp over the island in the kitchen, which will not interfere too much with the character of the space and will not compete with the lighting of the living room.
Always match the style of the lamp to the style of your interior. It is also worth considering whether you want the lamps to contrast with the cabinet fronts or rather harmonize with them. White lamps or those with transparent glass shades are softer and more versatile, while black or silver ones are sure to add a stronger accent to an interior.

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