Kitchen lighting fixtures also referred to as luminaries, come in a wide variety of styles, colors, shapes, and sizes. This gives the user a wide selection of illumination choices to choose from.
Some of the most common types of light fixtures are:
Ceiling Fixtures
Ceiling fixtures are designed in a way to provide general lighting to the entire kitchen. Typically, they project down from the ceiling and are usually the biggest lighting piece found in the kitchen. These fixtures can also be hung over a breakfast nook or a kitchen table. There are two types of ceiling fixture; flush-mount ceiling fixture with the glass or diffuser touching the ceiling and semi-flush ceiling fixtures where the bowl projecting from the ceiling such that it hangs a couple of inches away, with indirect light reflecting from the ceiling (think of it like an upside down umbrella).
Chandeliers
Chandeliers are also known as suspension or chain-hung fixtures. Like ceiling fixtures, chandeliers are also hung from the ceiling. However, they require more space in addition to adding more pizzazz compared to regular ceiling fixtures. They provide general lighting and have at least two arms with down-lights or up-lights. They are most often used with formal dining rooms or dining tables.
Pendants
Pendant kitchen lighting fixtures are decorative fixtures. They typically suspend from the ceiling and offer general as well as task lighting. Most kitchen designers prefer placing them over counter areas or over islands where dining, conversation, baking as well as food preparation occurs. A good example of pendant lighting fixtures is the mini-pendant, which is usually used for small kitchen spaces and is approximately 12 inches or less. Another example is the island light or multi-light pendant, which works well bigger spaces that require more lighting.
Wall lights
Wall lights are a type of kitchen lighting fixtures that are typically mounted to the wall. They can take the form of scones matching a pendant, ceiling fixture or a chandelier. They can either deliver task, accent or general lighting. Some of the common locations where wall lights are used include on either sides of a piece of art, a decorative back-splash, or used to create a focal point of a hutch.
Track Lighting
Also known as railing lighting systems, this type of kitchen lighting fixture has a wide range of design flexibility. The track can be long or short, curved or straight. Spotlights, pendants, or other kitchen lighting fixtures can be hung from the track at different points, directions and heights to provide accent, task or general lighting.
Recessed Lighting
Also known as can lights, this type of kitchen lighting fixture is located within the ceiling instead of being attached to or hanging from the ceiling. This type of kitchen fixture is a perfect choice for those who prefer unobtrusive to decorative lighting. Recessed lighting can provide task, accent, or general kitchen lighting.
Under Cabinet Fixtures
This type of kitchen light comes in mini track systems, slender strips, surface mounted, or small recessed disks known as pucks. Under cabinet fixtures are typically installed under wall cabinets to supply task lighting by illuminating work surfaces and counters without projecting shadows. They can also be installed inside cabinets that have glass fronts.
With the above common types of kitchen lighting fixtures being available in most stores, all one has to do is assess his or her kitchen to determine the proper lighting type that will create the most desired effect.