40 Unique Pendant Lights and Chandeliers for Your Kitchen Island

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The kitchen is essentially the centerpiece of any home. It's where you display your culinary prowess while talking about your day, enjoying a quick nibble, and maybe sipping some vino. Located right in the middle of such an integral space is the kitchen island, so you want to be sure to give it the attention it deserves. And there's no better way to highlight its importance than with one (or three) thoughtfully selected unique lights.

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Here are 40 beautiful island pendant lighting ideas that will not only illuminate your cook space with style but will also add a warm layer of texture and character to your overall kitchen design.

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Keep things cool above your kitchen island with this chic, modern three-tiered pendant from CB2. It will work in all-white cook space or one that's filled with head-to-toe bold color.

Made of hand-spun copper and finished with a hammered texture, the Stanley Copper Pendant is an elegant piece of craftsmanship that will make your kitchen island stand out from the crowd.

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We are obsessed with this unique chandelier from Anthropologie. It may be an investment, but we look at light fixtures as lifetime companions, and sometimes more is just ... more. Reminiscent of true boho style fixtures, this beaded accent in shades of blue does not disappoint and will make your island shine.

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The Stephe Glass Pendant was inspired by contemporary design. These elegant fixtures work well grouped together in a cluster over your kitchen island or arranged in a single row. Either way, the jewel-colored gems would be a stunning addition.

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Looking to add a little drama to your kitchen island? Well, look no further! The Aksel light fixture is ​the​ statement piece to turn your island dreams into a reality. Inspired by midcentury design, the arms of this fixture are adjustable, enabling you to create a unique formation that suits your ceiling height.

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The understated beauty of this pendant makes it one of our favorites. Crafted from spun aluminum and complemented by a chic brass interior, this fixture can be hung individually or it can be mixed and matched with other shade designs and colors from the collection to create a really lovely grouping.

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Visually stimulating and perfect for a modern or traditional kitchen island, the curves of the cane in the Siyanda pendant from Lulu & Georgia are perfect for the heart of your home.

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Don't be too quick to judge this industrial fixture. The blackened steel dome of the drop pendant might seem a little dark and heavy at first. But when you take a closer look, you are met with the radiant gold interior that gives this fixture the hint of glamour your kitchen needs.

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Check out that reflection! The mirror finish of the Copper Shade Pendant was born out of designer Tom Dixon's fascination with a high-tech process used to make sunglasses. This striking pendant works well either by itself or clustered as a group to create a bold design idea in your kitchen.

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In this case, three is definitely not a crowd! This sculptural three-in-one light fixture was inspired by the sophistication and glamour of midcentury design. The black tapered cylinders grouped together create more than just a visually dynamic cascading accent. They form a suspended piece of art right in the center of your kitchen.

Whether your style is boho chic or beach casual, this open weave bell-shaped pendant is a ​must​! The clean simplicity, commonly seen in Scandinavian design, combined with the cozy warmth of natural rattan works in harmony to keep the overall design light and fresh.

Hand-built in Portland, Oregon, the Union pendant's beauty lies in the details. Whether it goes in a laundry room or over a kitchen island, this humble, utilitarian fixture is versatile enough to work. Stripped down to the basics, it's a perfect accent for a vintage aesthetic and can stand alone to provide an ambient glow or be hung in a pair.

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The creative design team at Muuto, which means "new perspective" in Finnish, prides itself on using "forward-looking materials, techniques, and bold creative thinking ... to deliver new perspectives on Scandinavian design." The Unfold Lamp is a perfect example of this ethos come to life. Made of soft silicone rubber instead of metal, this industrial pendant is a fun and quirky way to brighten up your kitchen.

Sometimes all you need is a chic cluster of Edison or incandescent bulbs to create a whole new mood for your kitchen island. This fixture we spotted on Etsy has plenty of choices for finishes to blend in or stand out in your kitchen.

Triple your lighting with this super sleek bronze triptych pendant. The style would elevate any island in a Craftsman kitchen in a snap.

Make a bold statement in your modern farmhouse kitchen with a fixture like this one we spotted at Lamps Plus. We like the black finish with white bulbs for a kitchen accent you didn't see coming.

We love matte black anything, so when we saw this metal pendant on Overstock we knew it could work in a light and bright kitchen to bring in some contrast. Mount a pair over your island for a striking design moment.

Go a little traditional with metal cage pendants over a wood island. And to keep the space from feeling too rustic, add modern touches throughout with elevated bar stools like the ones here.

Bring some earthiness into the kitchen with multiple ceramic pendants with various patterns. The mix and match vibe will feel a little bit boho and super fun over your island.

Want a midcentury modern nod in your culinary workspace? This classic globe pendant made of fabric from AllModern can be installed over an island or just plugged into an outlet, which is a perfect feature for apartment dwellers.

This opaque glass fixture is a classic. If you're in the market for simple and stylish lighting, this is it. Just add dimmers for some ambiance over the island when you're done cooking and cleaning and just want to enjoy a cocktail.

Group a series of matching cement or ceramic lamps over your kitchen island in a more neutral shade if you like quiet minimalism and texture. This style from Litfad will feel subtle but still impactful.

Adding an asymmetric pendant is the perfect way to make an unexpected bang with your kitchen decor. We love this oversize ceramic style in a light terra cotta finish for any cozy kitchen that has an island with clean lines.

Bring some industrial flavor into your kitchen with pendants that resemble old-school dock lights. We especially love the cage lamp look for a loft kitchen that's filled with weathered wood and metal.

Pop some unexpected flair into an all-white kitchen with an antique brass pendant that features a fun palm motif. This one from CB2 will wow your guests every time.

Keep things above the island as low-key as possible with a simple light socket pendant like this one we found on Build with Ferguson. The look is fresh with a little hint of marble for some added intrigue.

Get inspired by origami, and hang a pair of pendants in interesting shapes like the ones we spotted on La Loupe. You'll get soft and warm ambient lighting that shines through the lovely linen effortlessly.

We really love rattan pendants. The good news is they come in all shapes and sizes. The even better news is we found this fabulously affordable one at Target that will liven up any kitchen.

Try a little boho with your kitchen lighting. We're loving how the jute shade pendants in this space by Describe the Fauna add to the gorgeous desert chic style. Bloomingville sells an option that's incredibly similar.

Go green with your lighting, and add this charming dock-style pendant over an eclectic kitchen island. This vibrant color will work with any decor from maximalist to modern.

Who doesn't love the look of shiny brass combined with crisp white? Add a pendant that features these two hues in a colorful kitchen, and we promise you'll never get bored during meal prep.

Why go with one or two pendants when you can hang three? A minimalist style like this option will take any cook space to new heights without overwhelming the area or feeling dated.

Traditional does not mean boring. You can mix old-world charm with truly modern touches by featuring pendant lights like these from Thomas O'Brien.

Go a little glam with a sputnik-style light fixture over your kitchen island like this brass accent we spotted at AllModern. We never said your kitchen lighting had to be practical now, did we?

A dome pendant always works over a kitchen island or dining space. We love this traditionally inspired one from Rejuvenation. Try mixing things up by hanging it in a space with inky black cabinetry and appliances for contrast.

Add an architectural element with a linear suspension light like this one found at YLighting. It will brighten up even the darkest kitchens. Plus, it's just super cool to look at.

Go big and blue with this uniquely gorgeous pendant by Arteriors Home. We like the curved lines that will mix well in any kitchen setting from midcentury modern to farmhouse and beyond.

Add a surprising swirl of color with these art glass pendants from Shades of Light. They're perfect in a pair above a breakfast bar island in an eclectic cook space.

This LED pendant from Lamps Plus with big appeal will bring art gallery energy to your space. It's perfect for a modern kitchen island that needs a conversation piece that will be stylish for years to come.

What's old feels new again with this retro ribbed glass pendant in a fresh shade of green from Litfad. Picture this hanging over your marble island with bohemian barstools to match.

6 Places to Hang Lights Other than Your Kitchen Island

With all this light fixture shopping, we thought we'd suggest other areas of your home that can accommodate a gorgeous hanging bulb. There's nothing like the feeling of making an impact with a fixture in just the right spot. Here are six ideas to get you started.

1. The Living Room

Forgo a floor lamp, and go bold with a large black ceiling light like the living room pendant in this light and airy eclectic space. We love a pop of a dark hue when we least expect it.

2. The Attic

Attics can be dark, but even if you have plenty of natural light, a simple and classic pendant like this schoolhouse style will look lovely in your uppermost level.

3. The Office

Your home office could probably use a little glow-up, so why not hang a retro pendant in your workspace? This design idea will take any remote zone to the next level.

4. The Bedroom

Instead of putting a lamp on your nightstand or screwing a sconce into your wall, hang a fun clear glass pendant for reading or just chilling out in your bedroom.

5. A Kid's Room

Kids' bedrooms can be super cool when they have the right light fixtures. Add a big modern pendant in black that will suit your little one year after year.

6. The Bathroom

Image Credit: Hunker in Partnership With Acme Real Estate

There's no better way to wind down after a long day than with a soak illuminated by the glow of a bathroom pendant. The wicker light shown here is placed perfectly above an all-white tub for a little light just when you need it most.

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