25 Of The Best Farmhouse Kitchen Lighting Ideas You Don't Want To Miss
It seems like everywhere you look these days, you're sure to spot an element of farmhouse style, the aesthetic made popular by Joanna Gaines. The trend is still going strong, and we love the way it harkens back to the past while nodding to the present. It's a look marked by antique accents — distressed wood, salvaged objects, and patinated metal finishes — but many homeowners are creating their own mix by working in contemporary themes, too. Think open shelving, painted cabinets, and patterned tile.
Farmhouse kitchen lighting in particular really brings the style to life, adding a warm and cozy element that ties the whole look together. There are seemingly endless options available that will mirror the aesthetic in your space. Simply keep your eyes peeled for fixtures that display materials such as distressed wood or industrial black metal. Another distinguishing characteristic: traditional silhouettes like factory-style pendant lighting, old-school lanterns, articulating wall sconces, and candelabra chandeliers.
To gain even more inspiration and discover where you can find some of these charming fixtures, read on.
Farmhouse Kitchen Lighting Ideas
1. Weave in an industrial look.
Farmhouse kitchen lighting often takes on an industrial vibe, since some of the most interesting vintage pieces around were reclaimed from old factories and barns. To capture that spirit in your kitchen, take a page from farmhouse extraordinaire Liz Marie of Liz Marie Blog. The black articulating wall sconces lend extra task light above the sink and create an eye-catching juxtaposition in this vintage-inspired cook space.
Get the look: Birch Lane Beckham Swing Arm Fixture, $140
Lindsey Brooke Design
Farmhouse kitchens are typically swathed in bright and airy whites. To punch up the visual contrast and set a modern tone, don't shy away from black light fixtures. In this modern farmhouse kitchen crafted by Lindsey Brooke Design, the eye is drawn to the black pendant lights that punctuate the kitchen island.
Get the look: Feiss Brynne Pendant, $310.56
1111 Light Lane
If you don't have tons of room in your farmhouse kitchen for multiple pendant lights or a chandelier, consider hanging a single pendant. In this pretty cook space belonging to Beth of 1111 Light Lane, a throwback silhouette beams over the sink and acts as the perfect finishing touch.
Get the look: Rejuvenation Eastmoreland 4-inch Pendant, $349
Simo Design
In a contemporary space, farmhouse lighting can be modern while also imbuing the essence of a bygone era. For example, this kitchen designed by the team at Simo Design has several vintage-inspired elements — rustic wood cabinets, traditional ceramic dinnerware, and a subway tile backsplash — but it still looks decidedly of the moment, especially with the unique ceramic pendants that are simultaneously on-trend and retro.
Get the look: Visual Comfort Suzanne Kasler Limoges Medium Pendant, $649
Instagram @the_rusticpallet
To keep your farmhouse kitchen lighting simple and straightforward, look no further than an easy semi-flush mount ceiling light with a metal shade. Jessica of The Rustic Pallet turned a bronze-colored pendant into a semi-flush mount in her kitchen, which communicates a traditional look and even ties in the warm metallic finishes of her pots and pans.
Get the look: IKEA Hektar Pendant Lamp, starting at $29.99
Bless'er House
To bring an industrial touch into your farmhouse kitchen, consider a flush mount ceiling light that features a factory-inspired metal cage, like the one in this kitchen belonging to Robert and Lauren of Bless'er House.
Get the look: Millenium Three-Light Flush Mount, $155.57
City Farmhouse
Just because you have a farmhouse kitchen, that doesn't mean it has to display top-to-bottom antiques and old-school motifs. You can transport your space to the modern age with the help of pendant lights with sleek, smooth lines — which is exactly what Jen of City Farmhouse did in this cook space.
Get the look: Andover Mills Finnick 1-Light Lantern Geometric Pendant, $109.99
Jean Stoffer Design
Any kitchen, including a farmhouse kitchen, can be an opportunity to get creative and artistic with your visuals. For instance, Jean Stoffer Design chose to go with these articulated wall sconces that look like mini-masterpieces in their own right.
Get the look: Gale Library Wall Light, $819
deVOL Kitchens
A farmhouse kitchen can give you lots of chances to cruise flea markets for amazing pieces to showcase, and lighting is no exception. With some rewiring and a little DIY magic, you can transform metal reclaimed lights into industrial-chic pendants, something that deVOL Kitchens excels at.
Get the look: Crate & Barrel Rodan Hammered Metal Dome Pendant Light, $369
Love Grows Wild
If you have an open layout that goes from your farmhouse dining area to the kitchen, keep the look cohesive with matching light fixtures. While one black metal pendant light hangs over the dining table, Liz of Love Grows Wild continues the visuals into the kitchen with the exact same lighting.
Get the look: Quorum International One-Light Matte Black Pendant, $56.60
The Other Side of Neutral
While a farmhouse-style kitchen tends to be known for quiet neutrals and traditional accents, there are some opportunities where you can be a bit bold. This is where lighting comes in. Create a truly head-turning look for your cook space by doubling up your chandeliers. Or, follow the lead of Becky from The Other Side of Neutral and triple up instead.
Get the look: Kichler Brookglen Black with Gold Tone French Country/Cottage Drum Mini Pendant Light, $99.98
Michaela Diane Designs
Perhaps you're all about cohesiveness in your farmhouse kitchen. Here, you'll want to match all your finishes, from the appliances to your lighting, something that's witnessed in this culinary space belonging to Micheala of Micheala Diane Designs.
Get the look: Lamps Plus Possini Euro Stryder Brushed Nickel 3-Light Ceiling Light, $129.98
Harlow & Thistle
Whether you're going for a tried-and-true feel in your kitchen or you desire a little modernness here and there, clear glass pendant lights will serve you well, as evidenced by this setup belonging to Andrea of Harlow & Thistle.
Get the look: Mitzi Karin Single Light 9" Wide Mini Pendant with Clear Shade, $274
Cottonwood & Co.
Some farmhouse kitchens truly excel at simplicity. If that approach appeals to you, go the minimalist route with your lighting choices. For example, this cook space beautified by Nicki of Cottonwood & Co. showcases a few black metal wall sconces, resulting in a sleek and eye-catching finish.
Get the look: Pottery Barn Straight Arm Metal Bell Sconce, $179
Oleander + Palm
To create some intriguing tension in your farmhouse kitchen, look to dramatic, contemporary lighting. That's what Jeran of Oleander + Palm did in this design, and we're loving that on-trend ceiling light in the midst of farmhouse visuals.
Get the look: George Oliver Humboldt Two-Light Simple Globe Semi-Flush Mount, $270
Sincerely Marie Designs
With an all-white or nearly all-white kitchen, you can choose to go equally breezy and airy with your lighting. A white shade will continue the fresh feel, as proven by this cook space belonging to Josh and Amanda Marie of Sincerely, Marie Designs.
Get the look: Allen + Roth Dark Oil-Rubbed Bronze Traditional Incandescent Semi-Flush Mount Light, $44.98
Jojotastic
Are you all about brass these days? To weave the trend into your farmhouse kitchen, install brass cabinet pulls and partner them with a brass light. In the case of this culinary design by Joanna of Jojotastic, the brass and black pendant echoes the look of the kitchen cabinets.
Get the look: Rejuvenation Haleigh 8-inch Metal Dome Rod Pendant, $489
A Nod to Navy
Milk glass, the opaque white material also used in light fixtures of schoolhouses of yore, has been around for decades. Follow the lead of Tiffany from A Nod to Navy and opt for milk glass pendants to give your kitchen the charming retro vibe we all know and love.
Get the look: Rejuvenation Rose City 3-1/4" Fitter Chain Pendant, $289
Erin Kestenbaum
One staple that every farmhouse kitchen needs is a great oil painting (or two). And what better way to show off these old-fashioned works of art than with picture lights, something that Erin Kestenbaum brilliantly chose to do in her culinary space.
Get the look: Hudson Valley Lighting Ridgewood Picture Light, $538; Rejuvenation 8" Cabinet Maker's Picture Light, $319
Travis J Photography for Design Loves Detail
Texture of any kind always brings visual interest into a space, and it's something that you can do in your farmhouse kitchen with the help of a basket style light or two, as seen in this design styled by Mollie of Design Loves Detail.
Get the look: Serena & Lily Santa Barbara Pendant, $498
Taryn Whiteaker
Floating wood shelves are a favorite feature in farmhouse kitchens for many reasons, including the fact that they create the perfect opportunity to showcase culinary essentials and a few select pieces of decor. You can spotlight your shelving further with a couple of wall sconces à la this vignette by Taryn Whiteaker.
Get the look: JACKYLED Industrial Vintage Wall Sconces (set of 2), $45.99
Scout & Nimble
We're always fans of geometric pendant lights. They seem to work beautifully in almost any space, from midcentury to contemporary to farmhouse, which is confirmed by this kitchen design from Jesse and Sam of Scout & Nimble.
Get the look: Visual Comfort Caged Lantern Pendant, $1,219-$1,439
Nesting With Grace
Bohemian farmhouse marries together free-spirited visuals with traditional influences, something that, surprisingly, works flawlessly. It's an aesthetic that Brooke of Nesting With Grace chose for her kitchen, reinforced with these black, woven pendants.
Get the look: Serena & Lily Headlands Bell Pendant, $398
Park & Oak Interior Design
Industrial and farmhouse style definitely go hand-in-hand, and you can represent both looks by hanging metal industrial lights above your island. Christina and Renee of Park & Oak Interior Design chose black and copper industrial fixtures for this stylish kitchen.
Get the look: Coastal Farmhouse Fellows 1-Light Single Bell Pendant, $83.99
The Identité Collective
If you're on the fence about which lighting to choose for your farmhouse kitchen, you literally can't go wrong with anything in a worn wood finish. This chandelier in antiqued wood steals the show in a cook space designed by Anastasia of The Identité Collective.
Get the look: Homary Retro French Country Carved Wood 8-Light Distressed Candle-Style Chandelier, $466.99
What kind of lighting is best for kitchens?
Lighting your culinary space is ultimately a very personal decision based on your individual style, needs, and kitchen size, but there are a few general tips to keep in mind as you shop around. First of all, one type of lighting isn't better than the other. Believe it or not, a kitchen lighting plan works best when you provide both task and ambient fixtures, resulting in a well-rounded glow. The areas that get most of the action — the island, countertops, sink, and stove — require more focused illumination, but those fixtures alone aren't strong enough to adequately light your entire space. In addition to recessed ceiling lights, you will also need to consider pendants, chandeliers, and/or wall sconces.
In addition, you'll need to ponder the light bulbs for your fixtures. For instance, consider using LED bulbs that are energy-efficient. And last, but certainly not least, you should strive for using dimmable options, too — that way, you can adjust the light level and create the perfect ambiance for every occasion.
Where to Shop for Farmhouse Kitchen Lighting
Now that you've been primed with inspiration, head over to some of our favorite shopping spots for farmhouse kitchen lighting: