How to Use a Chic Chandelier in Your Kitchen Design

Whether you’re about to set the dining room table for thanksgiving with your family or about to microwave some leftover Seamless for you and your cat (I, Cal here, will not reveal which scenario is more relevant to my life), the kitchen is perhaps the most important room of the home. It is where families come together to cook and share stories, where you eat breakfast and read the news every morning, where you bake cookies to prepare for your holiday guests…I could go on.

At the Kuotes, we’ve seen a lot of beautiful kitchens, from the French Industrial style kitchen to many more, but today we’re going to challenge you to make the daring design choice when it comes to and eye-catching lighting fixture–one that goes beyond the pendant lighting trend–that’ll keep all of your holiday guests talking: the chandelier.

Pro Tips on How to Use a Chandelier in Kitchen Design

As a general rule, the kitchen is designed with a utilitarian mindset. Every element in the room has a distinct purpose: the countertops need to be durable and easy to clean, the appliances need to be reliable, and the cabinetry has to provide ample storage and be durable as well. Lighting your kitchen is one of the few components you can have fun and creativity with…so why not take advantage of that? As designers, it’s the unexpected choice we just can’t resist.

Chandeliers like to be the center of attention. And can you blame them? Who doesn’t like a little glitter and sparkle from time to time? Placing a chandelier in your kitchen is a great way to create a strong visual focal point and provide balance and symmetry to the kitchen. Don’t be afraid to choose a chandelier with a wow factor, like this gargantuan beauty below. You can also play with metal finishes, like antique brass and polished nickel. 

A chandelier is also a visual way to bring elegance, softness, or feminine essence to a practical space like the kitchen. There is also glamour in a chandelier, so hanging one in the kitchen adds sophistication and style to a space that may otherwise be lacking.

If your kitchen has wooden cabinets or a more rustic look, a chandelier can add class and a hint of sophistication and thought to balance out your design (see below). White cabinetry is especially accentuated by a crystal chandelier (see above).

Chandeliers even work in more modern, minimal kitchen designs. The white globe chandelier below gives playful geometry and visual interest to an otherwise sleek and all stainless steel kitchen.

Contrast your styles. We are always in favor of creating an eclectic, layered look that incorporates multiple design styles. Here are just a few examples we love: Place a glamorous, modern chandelier above a minimal, euro-style kitchen island like the photo below. In the image following, notice how the small silver chandelier with black shades contrasts and tones down the white-washed French Country kitchen.

When hanging a chandelier above a table or kitchen island, there are a few rules:

Height: Hang your kitchen chandelier lighting so that its lowest point is 30-34 inches from the tabletop (we always suggest leaning toward the higher end of this margin).

Diameter: The diameter for a chandelier hung over a table–be that table in the kitchen or in the living room–should be one foot less than the width of the tabletop to avoid hitting heads. If you want to place two smaller chandeliers over a long table, choose a diameter that’s about one-third of the width of the table.

More tips on hanging your chandelier and picking out the one right for you and your home decor style can be found on our Chandelier Cheat Sheet.

Don’t have space for a kitchen chandelier or not sure what size chandelier you want? Consider a mini for above the sink to add a little bit of charm to the kitchen (and it’ll make you smile when the sun from the window hits the crystals). An island chandelier or dining room chandelier can also look very chic. 

Kathy Kuo Home Design Services

Feeling inspired? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you love where you live.

Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!