This post shares the best kitchen lighting ideas low ceiling.
A common denominator of a small kitchen is the unwanted dark and dreary feeling.
The inevitable low ceilings seem to cast a shadow over the precious cooking space.
Let’s eliminate that and make the tiniest kitchen feel bright and open with an inviting atmosphere.
I’ve curated 19 clever kitchen lighting ideas to bring light—and life—into your kitchen without sacrificing precious space.
Best Low Ceiling Lighting Ideas
1. Small Kitchen Decor with Pendant Lighting
You will be amazed how pendant lights will transform a compact kitchen with lower ceilings.
A flexible light fixture will balance out the dining table’s visual interest while adding a touch of warmth.
It doesn’t have to be a statement chandelier by any means; those are for the lucky high ceiling kitchens.
Add a fun decorative pendant light with the expressive red color as a statement decor piece.
2. Sleek Flush Mount Lights for Small Kitchen Ideas
Installing a flush-mount light directly onto the ceiling is a great option to save space, allowing the fixture to be mounted right on the ceiling level.
Get creative with the design of the flush mount fixtures to add a subtle personality at the very top of the space.
I love a color temperature with a warm undertone for flush lights to make the entire kitchen area more inviting.
The flush ceiling lights will most definitely boost your culinary journey from food preparation to elaborate dining.
3. Recessed Lighting for a Brighter Kitchen
Another way to work with a low ceiling kitchen is with recessed lighting.
Go for a style that sits flush with the surface for a sleek and polished finish while providing sufficient ambient lighting to all of the kitchen space (including the kitchen island and the dining room).
I love that everything in this idea is dainty and delicate-looking, and the miniature sizes (including the cute small lamp) add a touch of elegance.
4. Cute Wall Sconces to Boost Productivity for Kitchen Lighting Ideas Low Ceiling
Add a wall sconce (or multiple ones) to the kitchen as a form of task lighting, just like table lamps but more chic.
The wall-mounted light fixture does not require much space while adding enough light for you to be extra productive.
I love that the adjustable lighting head in this idea allows flexibility to focus on different culinary tasks and offers optimal lighting.
You get to have the specific work zone such as over the stove or kitchen counter illuminated.
I’m a big fan of the fellow industrialized French-style kitchen. If you’re looking for a similar room feel, check out my post here.
5. Modern Under Cabinet Lighting
The cabinet lights are often overlooked as they can come in quite hidden, but under-the-cabinet lighting is the type of lighting that will secretly uplift the vibe while being extremely space-saving.
This modern lighting fixture is invisible and will go seamlessly with any home decor style.
It’s also a great way to brighten countertops with a warm and cozy glow.
This type of accent lighting is a great choice to optimize specific areas in the kitchen.
6. Dining Area with Floor Lamp
Floor lamps are great ways for a low ceiling kitchen that is interconnected with the living room.
The chandelier above the dining table is the absolute focal point of the small space, while the soft lighting of the floor lamp offers sufficient working light.
Installing lights from the ground up distracts the visual interest away from the low ceiling space, making the small kitchen more spacious.
7. Track Lighting for Small Kitchen with Low Ceilings
Setting up track lights in small spaces is a great way to boost functionality with minimal style interference.
The adjustable heads allow a lot of light to enter various working stations for optimal working flow.
I love that the interior designers strategically select tracking lights with different heights to cater to the home specs.
8. Semi-flush Mount Lighting for Small Kitchens
If having full-on flush mount lights is too average a style, you can opt for semi-flush mount lights.
This is an excellent choice to maintain your personal flair while staying practical for low ceilings.
The semi-flush mount light fixture provides a decorative element that is both modern and minimalist.
You can always change the color temperature of your light bulbs to spice up the vibe of the entire space.
9. Pendant Lights with Short Rods for Kitchen Lighting Ideas Low Ceiling
I cannot stress enough about the importance of the rod length for all my pendant lighting lovers out there.
You just cannot have both an extended rod and a visually pleasant low ceiling space.
Therefore, the pendant light with shorter rods or chains is the way to go.
The trick is never to have the light fixture hanging too low so there is sufficient space available for a minimalist design.
10. Flush Mount Ceiling Fans with Lights
I love multifunctional furniture pieces for small spaces, but I’ve never thought about lighting fixtures with potential.
Having a compact ceiling fan with lights is now IN.
It’s beneficial to keep the lighting scheme consistent throughout the home to create the sense of a bigger space.
And the fan offers more comfort at the heart of the home.
I love that this dual-purpose solution keeps the kitchen cool and well-lit without overwhelming the space.
I think this idea is quickly climbing up to the top of my list of best lighting ideas.
11. LED Strip Lighting for Under-Cabinet Lighting
If you’re a fan of minimalist design and clean lines in general, the LED strip lighting will definitely appeal to you.
Standing opposite from the flush mount fixtures, the LED strip lighting is invisible in essence.
Install it around the top of your cabinets for optimal lighting.
I love that this idea caters to modern aesthetics with an ambient light that’s easy on the eyes.
Energy efficiency is another big reason for choosing an LED light as the right light fixture.
12. Frosted Ceiling Lights for Kitchen Dining Space
For an open kitchen that is connected with the dining room, I adore the concept of having an ambient lighting.
The frosted ceiling lights with shorter rod is the perfect choice for a modern look.
The frosted ceiling lighting can diffuse light softly, creating a low-profile design that screams cozy and inviting.
13. Glass Globe Fixtures for Kitchen Island
Having a set of globe light fixtures is a game changer to the small kitchen environment.
Sometimes it’s best to stick to the basics.
The small globe fixtures can effortlessly reflect light and light up the room for the illusion of more space.
It can also serve as a directional light with both the visual height and interest.
14. Unique Bistro Light for Small Apartment
It’s almost a given that everyone nowadays loves a little bistro dining.
Can you recreate that experience at home? Set up a cute bistro lightbox on your kitchen wall.
The soft lighting blurs any harsh lines at night and provides a customized flair to your home.
15. Cute Wall Sconce Light Fixture
If space is a limitation, a cute wall sconce by the corner is game-changing.
I love that it adds a cutesy and stylish accent while keeping the attention away from the low ceiling height.
16. Magnified Under Cabinet Invisible Light Bar
Setting up an ultra-thin magnified LED lighting strip has never been more accessible, with no layout needed at all.
A simple hand gesture will automatically turn on and off the light.
I love the timer feature to make cooking a more integrated and efficient experience.
And the best thing is you can always charge up the battery efficiently whenever you’re running out of battery.
17. Small LED Lights Above Open Shelves
Having small lights strategically splattered around the kitchen is a genius idea to provide focused task lighting while keeping a close-to-invisible profile.
Install minimalist lighting above open shelving to illuminate dishware, greenery, or decorative pieces.
This not only adds visual interest but also increases the overall brightness of the kitchen.
Oh the things we would do not to overwhelm the ceiling space.
18. Vintage Pendant Lanterns for Small Kitchens
Having a vintage kitchen is a desirable idea both for style and functionality.
Install a farmhouse-styled pendant lantern for some added charm.
These fixtures provide personal flair and ample light while staying close to the ceiling.
I personally love the dark wood and stainless steel combo – such a powerful duo that embodies a force to be reckoned with.
19. Cute Kitchen with Color-changing Ceiling Light
My favorite idea to share with you guys for the last inspiration.
A colorful kitchen doesn’t necessarily mean splashing in a bunch of bold colors.
Though I adore the brave idea of stacking red on green, I love the sophisticated color coordination of the minty green, vanilla, matte grey, and essential wooden touches more.
Install color-changing LED ceiling lights for a fun, dynamic option.
It will be pretty low-profile and invisible for the most part to stay under the radar and not overcrowd the small space.
And you can always adjust the colors and brightness to suit different moods or times of day.
Final Thoughts on Kitchen Lighting Ideas Low Ceiling
These kitchen best ceiling lights ideas are living proofs that even the smallest spaces can shine bright with lower ceilings!
You can easily transform a cramped kitchen into a welcoming haven to cook, chat, and create fond memories with a good choice of general lighting and decor arrangement.
Remember, it’s all about finding that perfect balance between style and function (aka the right amount of light).
Never let limitations such as the height of your ceiling dim your design dreams, experiment with different inspirations, and have fun with the journey!
And there you have it, the heart of the home in your version, with the statement lighting.
This post shared the best kitchen lighting ideas low ceiling.
