Dark, cramped kitchens are virtually obsolete.

Move Big With Contrasting Styles This inviting kitchen brings rustic allure with exposed timber beams and brick walls, finishes in cabin charm with white cabinets, marble countertops and a subway tile backsplash, then tops it all off with a dose of industrial-style lighting. 2 Restoration Hardware 'Bistro Globe' chandeliers are hung side-by-side for maximum effect over the farmhouse-inspired kitchen table.

Old is New Again When this 1888 Chicago house was remodeled, an open floor plan to fulfill a contemporary family's requirements was a requirement. The upgraded kitchen currently mixes contemporary and traditional components for a room that's truly the heart of the home. A trio of brass pendants from Circa Lighting stand out in the sea of warm woods and soft whites. A Restoration Hardware 'Wine Barrel Chandelier' hangs over the streamlined breakfast table for a touch of Old World style.

Brass is Back Sleek hunter green cabinets plus black marble countertops equal a full size showstopper. Modern 'Tom Dixon Beat' tall pendant brass lights are the ideal mix of classic and contemporary, including the just-right bit of warm metallic into the space. Brass continues in the teal-topped barstools frameless railing . cabinet hardware and sink faucets, allowing the eye to travel throughout the entire kitchen.

Bring on the Metals White-on-white architectural details abound in this open, cottage-inspired kitchen. The shiplap walls and exposed arched beams are joined by built-in cabinetry that overlooks storage and creates the opportunity for a rolling ladder. (Because who does not need one of those?) A jolt of color comes from the Kelly Green island. And certainly not least, the Low Country Originals 'Double Copper Drum' lights balance the almost-all-whiteness of this room and add an industrial element that becomes an essential part of the plan.

Shades of Green Soft green 'Muuto' pendants create a subtle yet impactful moment in this cottage kitchen. By pulling their colour in the surrounding green soapstone countertops, they merge the kitchen island with the Farrow & Ball's 'Dove Tale'-painted cabinets. Scandinavian-inspired barstools add welcome depth to the area.

Bigger is Better Step away from those old pendants and adopt pendant lights' bigness, like these Arteriors Home 'Armand Pendants'. The hammered silver adds tactile appeal to this timeless kitchen, which has a stunning display of contrast with two-toned cabinetry. Traditional trimwork and crown molding frame that the distance in a full-on classic vibe.

Clear Globes, Full Design, Can't Reduce This wow-worthy kitchen stands out with a custom hot pink island and mosaic tile climbing rose backsplash. The key to lighting was supposed to choose fixtures that added into the overall look without cluttering the space. Arteriors Home 'Caviar Fixed Staggered Pendants' using their clear globes and polished nickel fittings make a statement with no deflecting from the awe-inspiring design elements.

Style Meets Function Robin's-egg-blue cabinets and a subway tile backsplash set the scene for this updated cottage kitchen. The monochromatic color palette allows the trio of Thomas O'Brien 'Garey' pendant lighting in polished nickel to create an eye catching statement over the large family-friendly island. Striped barstools add texture and pattern, while mimicking the beadboard facade of this island.

Fair and Square Two Creative Co-Op metal-and-wood square drapes bring farmhouse appeal to this compact conventional kitchen, where the subtle blue-gray closets and range hood have been paired with white white marble countertops and tile backsplash. The X shape of the light fixtures is replicated at the end of the island to get a barn door-style look.

Up the Style Ante A surefire way to create a design element stand on its own: choose the contrary shade of everything else in the area. Sleek oil-rubbed bronze lights out of Rejuvenation make a striking contrast with this all-white and timber kitchen. The windows are also bordered in black to pull the hue through the room, and naturally, frame the stunning landscape out.

Reclaimed Contemporary Dark, cramped kitchens are virtually obsolete. Open floor plans that seamlessly blend the dining and kitchen spaces merge our love of gathering around food using a pleasing, simple flow design. Here, the light fixtures are not just eye-catching, but they also produce a striking juxtaposition. On the kitchen island, vintage hammered-copper pendant lights include soul and character as a contemporary branch-like Lindsey Adelman chandelier highlights the dining table, which unites two replica Saarinen Tulip bases with a reclaimed slab of Douglas Fir.

Lighting With a Story Rather than buying reproductions, look for the originals. Designer Sarah Richardson's love for antiques knows no bounds, so when designing this trendy gray kitchen, she selected antique figurines from Matters Past. The oversized light fixtures fit the proportion of this 10-foot-long island to create an overall balanced layout.

The Right Mix The balance of warm woods and refreshing whites blend for an inviting, eat-in kitchen. Steel-and-linen light fixtures from Low Country Originals add an eye shadow accent above the table, which can be surrounded by classic Parsons chairs and a tufted gray bench. Statement-making doesn't have to mean elaborate. Clean lines and simple shapes are often the ideal mix for leaving a lasting impression.

Amp Up the Glam No need for pendants once it is possible to opt for chandeliers. Gorgeous crystal chandeliers out of Dering Hall hang over this particular French Country-inspired dining area and the expansive kitchen island. This well-curated Malibu kitchen combines styles perfectly: rustic reclaimed wood finds its way into the pitched ceiling, classic herringbone flooring grounds that the whole area and then for good contemporary step, the range hood is a shocking bright yellow. Eclectic brilliance.

Reclaimed for a goal Contemporary and traditional fashions come to a head in this warm, inviting kitchen designed for entertaining. Dark chocolate pine cabinets, granite countertops and tumbled rock flooring combine with sleek stainless steel appliances and streamlined barstools. Yet the actual star of the space is that the trio of 'Milk Bottle Lamps' from Tejo Remy, which really repurpose traditional milk bottles into a polished, modern light fixture.

Elegance Never Goes Out of Style This timeless kitchen is full of opulence, from the custom cabinetry and marble countertops to the built-in china cupboard and traditional moldings. A skylight above the huge island bathes the space in natural light, while 'Victorian Hotel Pendants' from Restoration Hardware add the finishing touch of elegance.

Be Transparent Kitchen pendants might be a little detail, but they also have a massive influence on the overall look of your layout. The open framed simplicity of this 'Hadley Chandelier" out of Ballard Designs fits in perfectly with the updated classic design of this family-friendly kitchen.

Seek the Sudden A large scale marble kitchen island may take centre stage in this midcentury modern kitchen, but the lighting deserves its fair share of attention. The Resident Lighting 'Tri Pendant' almost seems to hover above the island and provides a contemporary geometric note into the space. The Danish-inspired 'Very Big Luxus Glass Globes Chandelier' by Uno and Osten Kristiansson elevates the breakfast area into next-level chicness.

Simple and Sophisticated For this family of five, an oversize kitchen island was crucial. Clad in honed snow-white granite, the island is illuminated by traditional-style 'Chapman Country' lights out of Visual Comfort. Floor-to-ceiling cabinetry maximizes storage (another must-have!)) , while glass top cabinets maintain the space airy and light.

Make It One of a Kind Maximizing the potential of this structural steel beam, designer Jordan Iverson custom made an industrial-meets-modern lighting fixture which combines steel with exposed wires and bulbs.