Channeling Fancy Restaurant Style, Dome Lights Are Always My Pick for Kitchen Islands — Preferably One of These 6

There's a reason dome pendant lights often feature in restaurant kitchens. They're pretty, yes, but also very practical — here's why

dome kitchen pendant in a white and wood kitchen with marble counters, surrounded by cut outs of dome pendants
(Image credit: Center Image: @four__homes.)

Since the kitchen is one of the most used spaces in the home, I think it's safe to say that getting the lighting right is an important consideration. And while placement plays a part, it's the style and shape of light you choose that really makes the difference. That's why I'd always choose dome pendant lights for kitchen islands. Simple in shape, they not only look good, but offer some practical advantages too.

As someone who is highly critical of using overhead lighting (be gone, 'big light'), I can confidently attest that dome pendant lights in the kitchen are the answer to functional kitchen island lighting ideas that won't make your head hurt. This is because their design mimics that of a flashlight — the light output shines downwards and extends softly out around the light. The dome shape funnels the light to one specific spot, which is helpful when prepping food, but it also restricts light from fanning out laterally, giving the room a soft, warm downward glow.

It's for this reason that dome pendant lights are a common restaurant lighting trend (one we often like to steal for our interiors), because of their practical light output, and stylish silhouette. Available in an array of sizes, styles, and finishes, I honestly think they outshine all others — and here are six dome pendant lights for kitchen islands that prove my point.

Convinced you on the idea of dome pendant lights for your kitchen island? I thought as much. Now you've chosen your style, you might want to read up on kitchen lighting design to make sure you position them perfectly over your island bench.

Devin Toolen
Style Editor

Devin is a New York-based Style Editor for Livingetc who is keen on all aspects of personal style. From a young age, she was drawn to the design world, whether that was taking sewing classes in her hometown, or flipping through the pages of her mother’s interior design magazines. She spent hours on end watching HGTV home improvement and design programs, often sharing her opinions as if the TV could hear her.

After graduating from Villanova University with a BA in Communication and Spanish Language Studies, Devin moved to Paris, France to pursue her Master’s Degree in Fashion Studies at Parsons. It was here she refined her love for style in every sense of the word. While there to study fashion, living in Paris allowed Devin to fall in love with interior style. She grew fond of the city’s mix of both classic and contemporary designs that felt intentional and personal.

After moving back to the United States, Devin worked at Tom Ford and later Cosmopolitan Magazine. She loves sharing design choices with her readers, from explaining how to incorporate trends into interior spaces to sourcing the best products for your home. Devin believes style should be inclusive, exciting, and at its core, fun