When selecting decorative lighting, the sky can be the limit. Among the trends are:

• Three glass pendants dangling over a kitchen island.
• A rustic wrought iron chandelier over a breakfast table.
• Metal finishes, such as antique brass and satin nickel

First, decide where you want to focus attention. An island or breakfast nook can easily become a focal point when it is topped by a stained glass, crystal or antique brass fixture.

When deciding what type of fixtures to add, consider:

• how the room will be used
• the overall design theme

In a casual kitchen where children use the island for doing homework, stay away from breakable fixtures or ones that scratch easily. In a more formal kitchen used for entertaining, however, the options are endless.

Blend With The Room

Decorative fixtures also should blend with the style of the room instead of being so unique that they look out of place. Those who have a traditional style kitchen – with raised panel wood cabinets and detailed molding – might consider a chandelier with an antique brass finish, four to six glass lights and an ornate scroll design on the base.

Someone who selects a more contemporary kitchen – with white laminate cabinets and few molding accents – might consider a pendant with one, two or three thin sections that hang down and connect with round glass sections at the base. The simple lines will compliment the cabinetry, said Jim Dase, a senior designer with Abruzzo Kitchens in Schaumburg, IL.

Fixtures designed for traditional style kitchens typically have light focused downward, while fixtures with contemporary styling have light focused upward.

Consider The Cabinet Finish

Look for a balance between the amount of shine in the cabinet finish and that coming from the fixture. A lot of cabinets have a matte finish, which can look very flat, so you should augment them with a sparkling chandelier.

If the cabinets have a high gloss finish, however, the fixture lighting should be more subdued. Otherwise the light will bounce off of the cabinets and create too much sheen. “One of the worst things you can do is have a beautiful chandelier with the light reflecting off of all the cabinets,” Dase said.

Versatility

When selecting a finish, look for one that can be used throughout the house. Many fixtures are designed in groups so that different variations of a design can be used in different rooms. This provides some diversity, but creates a cohesive look.

Think Muted Not Polished

Many people are moving away from polished brass finishes toward more muted metal finishes or rustic styles. The same metal finishes that are popular on faucets are used in lighting fixtures. Copper is another newer option.

Copper can be used as the primary finish on a fixture or in sections to accent a white translucent dome light cover, for example. On an island, the copper would blend with a nearby range hood that has copper accents or a tile countertop with the same orange and brown color tones. 

Cost

The cost for decorative lighting can vary widely. “You could spend anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars,” Appelhans said. “I guess it depends on how much of a statement it makes.”

Thomas Lighting, for example, has brushed nickel pendants in a contemporary style that sell retail for about $90. A solid brass fixture with three crystal domes that sells for $225.