Kitchen Lighting

When selecting kitchen lighting, a layered approach works best, think ambient can lights, task lighting, and feature pendant lights. Layered lighting is often forgotten in the kitchen, where traditionally, it's been all about downlights and functionality.

Given how much time you spend in the kitchen, it makes sense to have different lighting fixtures for different functions - whether it's task lighting above the kitchen island, or moody, dimmable wall lights for when you're entertaining with a bottle of wine.

At Nook Collections, we offer a curated range of lighting options designed for Australian kitchens - read our 2026 guide on kitchen lighting ideas for more inspiration.

The most obvious choice for a pendant is to have it hung directly above a kitchen island, bench, or kitchen table. Pendants should be hung 70-90cm above the benchtop, spaced ~60-75cm apart if you're hanging multiple pendants in a line. A pendant can also work well in a coffee corner, above a corner bench, or a side table/buffet area - it will depend entirely on the space. While symmetry and even light distribution are both important, it's also a chance to have a bit of fun with your kitchen interiors. If you bring in a floorplan or photos of your kitchen, our lighting consultants can provide tailored guidance on where and how to place pendants in the kitchen.

The number of kitchen pendant lights depends on the length of your island or bench. A general rule is one pendant for every 60–80cm of benchtop length. For a standard 2.4m bench, three pendants usually provide enough balanced lighting. View Multi-Pendant Lights for 3 lights or more.