The Top 12 Kitchen Lighting Trends 2022 | Reviews + Buyer’s Guide (2022)
As architects, suppliers and designers work to satisfy consumer demand for more efficient and sustainable living environments, lighting in the kitchen plays an important role. The future of kitchen lighting is bright, and here are our predictions on what to expect.
1. Dimming the Mix
After being in use for over 100 years, halogen lights are still part of kitchen and bathroom lighting schemes. In the future, the spotlight will shine on LEDs and CFL bulbs in our kitchens. The energy-efficient lighting will help to reduce usage and become one of the most popular choices.
2. Kettle for The Outdoors
Energy-efficient induction hobs have already made an impact in other parts of the home. Kettle lighting is not only a great option for grilling, but for warming up frozen foods. Plus, the hobs can be installed in several different positions, or even come with infrared heating.
3. Disposable Lime Glasses
Lemon-lime glass is set to become more popular in the future, thanks to a range of self-cleaning and disposable styles. Plus, recyclable replacements are available. Stainless steel, with or without etched design details, is a great option, and cheaper than glass.
4. Lighting Up Product Displays
Reducing the amount of light entering a kitchen is crucial to controlling the overall level of cooking comfort. Look for a solution that integrates lighting into and surrounds a display – such as an appliance panel that is illuminated from underneath.
5. Bare Knuckle Fighting
Regardless of whether it’s a boardroom or a kitchen, it’s a good idea to have a plan to deal with a large, plate-sized appliance that is used a lot. We’ve seen the emergence of the dishwashing machine as one of the main culprits for creating light pollution. Metal-coated acrylic surfaces help to decrease glare and provide better visibility to the food itself.
6. Tidy Up
One of the fastest-growing trends for the kitchen lighting is upcycling. While the recycling of old appliances like fridges and washing machines can be a great addition to the home, upcycling can also turn your countertop into a workstation. This will make your kitchen look refreshed while giving you the chance to add some greenery.
7. Potted Lights
Spotlights are slowly making an appearance in kitchens, and in many ways, they’re the perfect solution. With the use of a ceiling fan, or additional pots to keep the light flowing, even the least-desired areas of your kitchen will have power.
8. Sunflower Bulbs
If you’ve lived under a rock over the past few years, you’ll have no idea what sunflower bulbs look like. The modern designs are incredibly easy to install and give you a choice of natural, rainbow, or variegated colors. These bulbs are a great way to increase the natural lighting in your home and provide a great visual effect.
9. Orchard Foliage
Fruit trees are the new trend for landscaping. While many of us have enough room to plant one tree in our back garden, you can grow a couple of fruit trees in a pot and place them in your kitchen. Not only are they an eye-catching touch, but they also offer a more nutritious alternative to produce you buy from the supermarket.
10. Native and Japanese Lights
If you have space for indoor fruit trees, why not grow a few more? Up until recently, you could plant a tree indoors for only two or three months at a time. However, modern LED bulbs are much more efficient than incandescent lighting. They don’t consume as much electricity and will help to reduce the temperature within the room.
11. Pine Cone Lights
You can achieve a similar effect to a Christmas tree in your kitchen with a native or Japanese pine cone light. Most of the time, they can be fixed in place with adhesive pads, and will only require occasional adjustments to give it the best display.
12. Reading Lights
If you don’t have enough light for reading, opt for lampshades that fit flush with your existing curtain fabric. If you’re worried about the health effects of exposing the light in your home to UV light, you can always opt for battery-powered reading lights.
Other Popular Kitchen Trends:
Front Room Bulbs
You might have a small window in your kitchen, but there’s no reason why it can’t give off some much-needed light. A solution that’s perfect for kitchen use is front room bulbs. These are similar to spotlight lamps, but they also work to illuminate small spaces and areas without natural light.
Green Lights
Finally, if you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint, why not invest in some solar-powered lights? These lights use electricity to create light, rather than using batteries, and you can either choose to recharge them with your solar panels or plug them into your home’s electricity supply.
White Wood
Choosing an old piece of wood from your kitchen to make it look more like a real table will instantly transform your kitchen. Although not the most durable option, a table with a natural finish can make a kitchen space that much more appealing. While it may be a simple fix, it’s something that most people are used to when it comes to their living space.
Marble Peel-and-Stick Covers
Looking for a new and inexpensive way to update your kitchen? Try a marble peel-and-stick cover, available from Dining Options. You’ll find they come in a range of different colors, and will only cost a few pounds each.
Ortofon PX-2 Turntable
It’s not always easy to record a song on your computer or your smartphone. While you may not have an iPhone or a laptop, it’s still possible to use an old turntable to record music. The problem with this option is that, while an old turntable may have a good sound, it’s not especially portable, and will take up a lot of room in your kitchen. If you want to use it in your kitchen, you can purchase one of the best record players on the market today, and make your old turntable look as good as new.
Crystal Garland
Throwing a crystal garland up in your kitchen will instantly create a glamorized space. Incandescent bulbs tend to be less bright than LEDs, which can make it difficult to make out the ingredients on the counter. Using a crystal garland will make it look like you have plenty of light in the room, which is exactly the effect you’re looking for.
Foil Toppers
Foil can be an excellent choice for any of your décor and lighting needs. You can use this material for décor, like turning your old tin cans into lanterns or plants, and for lighting. Use foil toppers to light your home, and to add a touch of glamor to your kitchen.
Patterned Cutting Board
You don’t need to buy expensive cutting boards from high-end stores to make your kitchen feel like your own. One of the simplest ways to inject a bit of personality into your kitchen is to buy a cutting board that has some sort of pattern on it. If you don’t want to splash out on one of these cutting boards, you can always opt for a slightly patterned mat to lay in your sink to dry your cutting board.
Picture Frame Lamp
If you have a view of the outside, a simple picture frame lamp will act as a creative addition to your kitchen. These colorful lamps work well with a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. If you are confident in your art skills, why not add a few touches of your own to your kitchen with decoupage or paint?
Hanging Glider Lamp
One of the easiest ways to add some personality to a room is to hang a lamp from the ceiling. While a hanging lamp may look pretty but doesn’t add much style or function, there are also ceiling lighting lamps that look like regular ceiling fans. If you want to find out which kind is best for your home, check out the Insider Picks post on the best ceiling lights you can buy.
Styrofoam Plate Holders
While it’s not the most beautiful of ideas, putting decorative or cute plastic plates on top of Styrofoam will provide a cheap and easy way to fill up your kitchen with color. Many people also put little vases or pieces of tiffany-style glass on top of these plates for a more interesting look.
Metallic Plates
The trendiest tableware that’ll fit into your kitchen is the metallic plates. This style of the plate will instantly add some glamor to your home. However, it does come at a cost, so be sure to only buy one or two if you are only looking to brighten up your kitchen a little.
Glass Screen
If you have an empty wall or if you want to add a bit of style to your dining room, you can buy a glass screen. A glass screen will provide a stunning and stylish way to separate your kitchen from the rest of the room.
Stackable Salt and Pepper Shakers
If you’re tired of having all of your salt and pepper shakers sitting in one cupboard, why not fill them up with a stackable set of sets? These glasses are a great way to add some extra height to your kitchen, and they’ll keep you organized.
Decorative Paper Plate Wall Art
This isn’t a décor idea so much as an art project, but it is an excellent way to add some stylish flair to your kitchen. You can find instructions to create DIY paper plate wall art here.
Decorative Mirror
If you have a dish-drying rack in your kitchen, you could always add a mirror to it. This would add a bit of pizzaz to your morning routine and is especially cool for adding a touch of glamor to a kitchen with boring white walls.
Sturdy Bowls
If you are looking for something different to add to your kitchen but aren’t able to afford to go all out, you can opt for sturdy ceramic bowls. These bowls are the perfect addition to any decor, and they will add a touch of style to any kitchen.
Slab Of Wood
These may look like ordinary slabs of wood, but they’re something very different. With just a little creativity, you can transform these into a fantastic decorative accent in your kitchen.
Simple Metal Curtains
Putty-colored curtains aren’t the most exciting thing in the world, but if you add some stylish metal curtains to the mix, you’ll be sure to change the look of your kitchen for good.
Mirror Pillows
Mirror pillows are pretty much the epitome of a practical décor item. If you’re looking to add some style to your living room but you don’t have room for a new couch or chair, these pillows could be just the thing.
Mini Flower Pots
Plant pots make great accent pieces in the kitchen, and they can be made to look even better by adding some fun flower prints or painted flowers.
What’s in store for the future of kitchen lighting?
The biggest trend in kitchen lighting right now is upcycling. It’s a great way to add color and vibrancy to a space, while also saving money. In addition to the new trend of upcycling old lighting with modern plastic and bamboo alternatives, you can also opt for a more sustainable look. Garden lights offer a great solution and can be hung on the wall.
Kitchen lighting is an important part of any home – it’s where we spend our most time and have the most control over it. Innovative lighting technology has come in leaps and bounds in the last few years, and it’s this technology that is set to change the face of your kitchen forever. The key thing is to do your research and make sure you’re looking for the perfect lighting solution. For inspiration, take a look at our articles on the best and the worst kitchen lights.