Whether you’re looking for farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas to use in your farmhouse kitchen ideas, or simply looking to replicate the look and feel of one in your new kitchen, it’s easy to understand why.
Warm, cosy and often eclectic there’s something about the feel of a farmhouse that conjures up a homely atmosphere. But, aesthetics aside, when it comes to designing a farmhouse kitchen you may find yourself dealing with low ceilings, dark corners and structures that are difficult to adapt to wiring and electrics.
Either way, we asked kitchen and lighting experts to share some advice and ideas for farmhouse kitchen lighting that should help overcome any problems you may encounter, leaving you with a lighting scheme that’s brimming with character and fit for purpose.
Lighting styles
Metal lighting with an industrial feel such as these swan neck pewter lights fits the farmhouse look(Image credit: Industville)
“A farmhouse kitchen stands out for its ability to harmonise natural, rustic materials and traditional features with key elements often including open shelving, shaker-style cabinetry, wooden countertops and exposed beams,” says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville.
“Lighting plays a key role when designing a kitchen, and for the farmhouse look, fixtures made from natural materials and metals will add character to the overall design. When it comes to touches of metal opt for brass and copper fixtures such as in an old factory style pendant to complement the rich hues of brown, burgundy and green that are often found in this settling,” she suggests.
This elegant wall light is perfect for farmhouse lighting ideas and comes in a choice of brass or pewter finish
Mara Rypacek Miller
Mara is the industrious founder of Industville, the place for handcrafted lighting, interiors, and art. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to eco-conscious craftsmanship, Mara has propelled Industville to the forefront of the industry, where each design tells a story of timeless elegance and environmental responsibility.
2. Use lighting rails or wires where structural issues make wiring tricky
This farmhouse kitchen lighting idea uses a wire and spotlight system to avoid the wooden beams(Image credit: Paulmann Licht Gmbh)
While wooden beams, unusual angles and sloped ceilings are some of the characteristics that help to enhance a farmhouse feel, they can prove problematic when it comes to lighting.
If this is the case for your property, instead of trying to find solutions for running cables or chasing out walls, why not consider a wire and spotlight system instead. Leaving the beams and ceiling unscathed, it can be a clever way of adding task and ambient lighting in one. As long as you have it operated in circuits and on a dimmer, you can turn it up or down as needed – advice Richard Nash, designer at Fritz Fryer says is key for any farmhouse lighting idea.
“When creating the scheme, we’d look to see where we’re creating task lighting or mood lighting, and create circuits accordingly as ideally you want your spotlights used for task lighting on one circuit switch, and your lovely ambience lighting on another.
“We also recommend that the spotlights be on a dimmer switch too,” he adds, “giving you the option to dim down to support your ambient lighting or full brightness for cleaning and other tasks.”
Richard Nash
Richard Nash has been designing at Fritz Fryer for five years and is the resident specialist in 3D design. His favourite aspect of designing lighting is the learning, understanding, developing and completing of a bespoke product.
Natural lighting
3. Add natural light in the form of skylights
Layering natural and artificial lighting will help deal with angled rooflines(Image credit: Claire Garner Design Studio)
If the structure of your farmhouse kitchen means you’re dealing with sloped ceilings and awkward angles, where possible, draw in natural light with the addition of a small roof lantern or skylight.
This can be particularly helpful over working areas such as kitchen sinks or cookers. Come night time when the evening light becomes too dim, a long necked wall light can then take over the job of providing light.
Pendant lighting
4. Hang a dainty pendant with a vintage feel
The Frilly Amber Light from deVOL is the perfect pendant for a rustic farmhouse style kitchen(Image credit: Pooky)
Whether it’s for farmhouse lighting ideas or to enhance any kind of country kitchen, a vintage style glass pendant is the perfect way of adding a more delicate touch to your interior.
Pick a light such as this Frilly Light in Amber from deVOL, the shape of which reminds me of a jelly mould meaning it’s the perfect addition to a simple, rustic kitchen. Positioned in order to facilitate lighting a kitchen island it provides task lighting by day, and creates a warm and cosy mood when night time falls.
5. Glass pendant lighting will add a timeless touch to your farmhouse kitchen
For a classic, unfussy finish, hang glass pendant lights above your kitchen island(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)
“The farmhouse kitchen look typically features natural elements such as exposed wooden beams, natural wooden cabinets, stone floors and rustic accessories in the form of a jute rug or wicker baskets,” says Al Bruce, founder of Olive & Barr.
“It’s no surprise therefore that this style continues to be a popular choice as it instantly adds a warm and inviting feel and is perfect for any style of home – especially those in a new build home looking to add character,” he notes.
However, if you’re worried about lighting design mistakes, such as choosing lighting that will fall out of fashion, Al suggests the following advice.
“If you’re looking for something that won’t date as interior trends come and go, keep it simple with a row of clear glass or white pendants.”
Shop for glass pendant lights for your farmhouse kitchen
Knurled Glass Schoolhouse Pendant – 10 Inch | Industville – Industville
A simple glass pendant light available in a clear or mocha finish
Totem Adjustable Pendant Light
A glass pendant light with an adjustable length feature
A clear glass pendant light with a choice of metal fittings
6. Take advantage of high ceilings to hang clusters of pendant lights
Pretty glass pendants hung at different heights add a standout lighting feature to this farmhouse kitchen(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)
The light and delicate nature of glass works well in this farmhouse kitchen lighting idea designed by Fritz Fryer. Richard Nash explains how the company approaches creating schemes such as this one featured.
“Farmhouse kitchens typically have exposed beams or vaulted ceiling designs, all characteristics that we love to take advantage of.
“If they do have slightly lower ceilings, we would look to take advantage of areas such as over the kitchen island, and suggest featuring an evenly spaced row of pendants directly over it,” he says. “This allows us to incorporate longer drops that we may not be able to achieve elsewhere without the worry of the lighting being knocked,” he explains.
In terms of how they choose the right lighting for the overall look and feel of the kitchen, Richard says if you’re considering a more traditional farmhouse kitchen and you are wanting to reflect this within the lighting, “we suggest antique fixtures, vintage fixtures, or to look at more traditional glass types such as ribbed or skinny ribbed.”
7. Use energy efficient LED filament bulbs in a traditional light fitting
Exposed filament style bulbs adds a modern touch to a traditional light fitting(Image credit: Laura Ashley Lighting)
Although farmhouse lighting ideas often feature metals such as nickel or copper and can have a more traditional feel, there’s no reason for them not to be energy efficient.
Exposed LED filament bulbs such as the ones featured in this kitchen will ensure that despite the classic design of the light, it’s still providing an energy efficient solution in a rustic setting. Plus, the industrial feel of the bulbs serves as a great reference to the working life of a farm.
Belns Melns Led Edison Bulb E27 – 6 Pack
Add a vintage feel and soft amber glow to your farmhouse lighting ideas with this pack of exposed filament LED bulbs
8. Pair discrete directional spotlights with standout pendant lights
This farmhouse lighting ideas places the attention on ambience while discrete spotlights ensure the kitchen is safe and functional too(Image credit: Loch Anna Kitchens)
Look hard and you’ll see how this farmhouse lighting idea understands the importance of layering lights. While the central pendant lights may steal the show, cast your eye around the whole kitchen and eventually you’ll spot the all important support act – discrete directional and recessed spotlights.
Providing enough light to make the kitchen workspaces safe and functional, they can also be directed towards the striking beams to highlight their tone and texture.
9. Fabric floral shades add a touch of whimsy to a modern farmhouse kitchen
Pattern clashing shades add character to this modern farmhouse setting(Image credit: Pooky)
Even if your farmhouse has undergone a contemporary makeover, or perhaps you’ve added a kitchen extension to bring more light and space into your home, you may be looking for ways to soften the more modern feel.
Floral patterned fabrics and wallpaper can be a great way of adding a touch of whimsy, and there’s no reason why your farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas can’t follow suit too.
10. Make sure your pendant drop is the right length
Low ceilings may impact your pendant light length in farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas(Image credit: Pooky)
With low or vaulted ceilings often a feature in farmhouses, getting the drop of your pendant lighting is important to make sure they are functional, but not in the way.
“We would typically suggest setting the pendant lengths over the island with a rough clearance of 1.7m to 1.8m from floor to underside of the light fitting, or to what looks visually pleasing,” says Rich Dash.
Worried your lights will take away from the rest of your interior fixtures and fittings? Pick a shade that complements your colour scheme such as the Pooky Cookie pendant light shown in this kitchen. The soft shade of green blends in perfectly with the rest of this green kitchen idea.
Decorative lighting
11. Use structural features for decorative lighting
Use your kitchen’s structure as a lighting feature(Image credit: Everot)
One of the key kitchen lighting mistakes people often make is not adding enough layered lighting to the space. It can be all too easy to think it’s about functionality in this hard-working space, when the reality is, ambiance matters just as much in a kitchen as it does in any other room.
Mara Rypacek Miller’s advice for getting this right? “Consider reducing the strength of the ambient lighting and pair with accent and task lights to create a layered effect. By adding more sources, you’ll create new shades and depth, achieving a cosier space, key for a farmhouse look.”
It’s perfectly demonstrated in this kitchen where a structural beam is transformed into a lighting feature in it’s own right. While the rope lights wrapped around the beam will serve little purpose other than to add a decorative effect, it’s a good way of adding some more character to your farmhouse lighting ideas.
12. Create a farmhouse feel with natural textures and tones
This cosy kitchen corner is given a farmhouse feel with the wicker pendant and bare wooden table(Image credit: Nedgis)
Even if you’ve opted for a more modern kitchen idea in terms of simple, handleless cabinets and light coloured worktops, you can still nod to the farmhouse feel with your choice of kitchen decor ideas.
This simple wicker and green pendant light hangs perfectly over an unfinished kitchen table with wood and wicker chairs. Simple artwork and a selection of green plants all helps add a sense of nature and simplicity to the otherwise contemporary finishes.
13. Light up dark corners with rechargeable table lamps
Rechargeable table lamps can add warmth and lighten dark spaces(Image credit: OKA)
If your kitchen, farmhouse or not, has low ceilings and dark corners, long gone are the days when table lamps are reserved for living rooms or bedrooms. Now, the vast array of rechargeable lamps available have made their way both inside and outside the home.
When choosing one for your farmhouse lighting ideas to lighten a dark corner or simply enhance the cosy mood, “take into account the metal finishes you select and what works best within this space, finishes such as antique brass, bronze and aged brass are all earthy colours and will work well,” says Richard Dash.
A pretty pleated shade will help to soften the feel and provide a lovely glow. Plus, their portable nature means they can be moved to a dining table for meal times.
Doorstop Rechargeable Table Lamp in Black Marble
Lighten a dark corner or add ambiance to your kitchen island dining with this stunning rechargeable table lamp
Wall lighting
14. Rechargeable wall lights can help avoid unnecessary mess when re-wiring
If your farmhouse needs rewiring consider rechargeable rather than wired wall lights(Image credit: Pooky)
If your farmhouse electrics are outdated and you need to undertake rewiring, thick stone walls may make chasing out walls to add new cables nigh on impossible – and extremely messy.
Avoid the disruption and instead choose rechargeable wall light for your farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas rather than wired versions.
But before you fit them in place, consider why you are adding them to your lighting design.
“Wall light placement is an important one to think about, as wall lights can be used for a number of purposes,” says Richard Dash. “Ask yourself do you want your wall lights to create task/focal lighting for your wall art, or do you want them to create ambience for decorative lighting on an open wall?
“Understanding what your light fittings’ intended purposes are will help you significantly, helping you make confident decisions with your lighting scheme,” advises Richard.
15. Keep it white and pale to increase the light
Counteract darkness with white lights and pale finishes(Image credit: The Soho Lighting Company)
Keen to banish any darkness in your farmhouse kitchen? Keep to white or a pale colour palette everywhere says Claire Pendarves, independent lighting consultant for The Soho Lighting Company.
“Painting the ceiling and beams in a light colour can transform a low ceiling. This helps to heighten it visually and reflect more light. Also try to avoid numerous ceiling lights,” says Claire. “Mix it up with wall lights and/or uplights. Layer the lighting. You don’t need to light every square foot. Plan task lighting first, then ambiance.”
Claire Pendarves
Claire originally trained and worked as an interior designer in London before changing course to specialise in lighting. She realised that no matter what attention is paid to furniture, fabrics, flooring and window treatments it’s the lighting predominantly that can totally transform a space.
Claire Pendarves’ final tips for successful farmhouse kitchen lighting ideas? Make sure you install the right types of switches to accompany your lights.
“Dimmers are essential; you can change from a busy food prep area to chilled dining at the turn of a knob or press of a button,” she advises.
“Tiny LED spotlights can be invaluable too – tucked behind beams use them as task lighting or to bounce light off walls. Pendant lights with prismatic, holophane or frosted glass also work particularly well in kitchens as they’re low glare and combine good working light as well as letting ambient light out into the room.”
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