Linear Lighting for Kitchen Islands

The editors of Better Homes & Gardens magazine declare, “A well-lit work area is a safety essential in a kitchen. Lighting can also be used to create ambience. The key to good kitchen lighting is to rely on a cast of lighting sources and to layer your lights, mixing ambient (overall), task, and accent or decorative lighting with natural light.” Many of our linear chandeliers were created to enhance the amount of illumination that bathes islands where so much of the tasks we undertake as we cook are completed so we thought we’d share a number of our top picks for linear lighting for kitchen islands. The Woodbine Rectangular Chandelier, above and below, were introduced earlier this year.

Linear Lighting for Kitchen Islands

Tom Caldwell's inspiration for the design of the Woodbine Rectangular Chandelier was to take a natural style story and make it modern. He envisioned the utilitarian linear brown chandelier with a decided modern farmhouse feel as perfect for hanging over a bar or a long kitchen island. The wood slats of the handsome chandelier gain their u-shape from the horseshoe-like metal bands that fasten them together. The warm chestnut finish on the wood and brass finish on the metal bring this long, narrow chandelier an industrial vibe.

One of the most surprising inspirations we've seen in a while, the Aztec Rectangular Chandelier is shaped like an inverted taco! The designer, Clarence Mallari, is staying true to his desire to work with natural elements in surprising ways by having the shade covered in row upon row of small wood beads that have been whitewashed. Because the distressed finish still allows some of the wood tones to come through, there is an uptick in warmth; and the iron frame and hardware, in a white finish, teases out the paler tones in the beads.

Our Rycroft Rectangular Chandelier is a smart choice when a tailored design element is desired. The pointy rhombus-like shades, made of opaque glass, were inspired by a spinning top. Clarence Millari designed this silver linear chandelier with a polished nickel finish on the metal.

Decoding the design details of the Ditchley Rectangular Chandelier, there is stalwart wrought iron in a black bronze finish and a glossy white acrylic diffuser that softens the glow of the light. Stylistically, it swings from industrial to modern farmhouse to rough luxe. This handsome black chandelier was designed by Tom Caldwell. The technology contained in it is just as important as its dynamic style, as it is lit by integrated LED.

Tom Caldwell created a modern/brutalist light fixture with the Steelhouse Rectangular Chandelier that is made of forged iron rods. "Each rod is hand-forged and fitted together to form this unique linear design,” he explains. "The fact that the black chandelier hangs by chain links is also unique to this fixture and can be manipulated to gain just the correct hanging height. Blacksmithing meets modern design is the essence of this piece."

A sophisticated arrangement of rectilinear shapes, the Tonbridge Linear Chandelier also has a rich mix of materials. The vertical rectangles are made of metal in a painted brass finish and the horizontal wood element is in a warm chestnut wood finish. Ian Thornton designed this fixture with long kitchen counters and dining tables in mind. To soften the illumination, the wood rectangle is fitted with an acrylic diffuser. A design detail of note is how the painted brass elements have a bit of antiquing on the corners.

The Lyon Linear Large Chandelier was designed by Tom Caldwell as a handsome long chandelier to illuminate kitchen islands and bars. The bronze verdigris finish brings the metal serious warmth, which is contrasted by the white acrylic diffuser that softens the light. Tom notes that this bronzed chandelier would be perfect over a pool table or in a game room, and the fixture is dimmable and fitted with integrated LED technology.

Our Middleton Rectangular Silver Chandelier has interlocking rectangles created by wrought-iron bands that are smartly designed. The frame of this chandelier perfects the illusion of diminishing perspective, its contemporary silver leaf finish making it gleam. We also offer the Middleton in bronze.

The Basket Oval Chandelier has a frame made of wrought iron in a blacksmith finish that suspends its shade woven from natural Arurog. The rattan chandelier emits a warm light thanks to the elemental material.

Mid-century modern has a rustic edge in the design of the Culpepper Rectangular Chandelier. The wrought iron shades of this black chandelier have interiors in a contemporary gold leaf finish, while the linear frame and exterior of the shades are finished in a distressed French black.

Paris International Style was all the rage in the 1930s, and our contemporary new twist on it is the Metro Gold Rectangular Chandelier in a rich contemporary gold leaf finish. The elongated linear shape and the interlocking rectangles of wrought iron that form the frame of the gold chandelier salute early modernism.

The Houndslow Rectangular Chandelier balances its eight candelabra bulbs from arms fitted with small bobeches. The fixture, made of wrought iron in a satin black finish, is one of our powerful linear offerings. A design note for this black chandelier is its clean-lined angularity.

The Last Word on Kitchen Lighting

The Aztec Rectangular Chandelier was released in Spring 2023.

The editors at Flower magazine note, “For the hardest working room in the house, it’s essential that it’s properly lit to handle all the activities that take place there—prepping food, cooking, entertaining, and dining, among others. The kitchen is also a place to inject some personal style and even some whimsy to keep the space from feeling too serious.” The magazine interviewed designers to get their take on how to light a kitchen right and it’s a nice read.