We’ve all heard of the viral shower lamp thanks to TikTok, but the latest lighting trend to take over the world of home decor will bring these cute, cordless devices to a whole new room.
Meet the kitchen lamp: the one decor item experts say every home’s meal prep area needs to instantly feel more warm, welcoming, and cozy.
Meet the Expert
- Peter Spalding is an interior designer and the co-founder of Daniel House Club, a product sourcing hub for designers.
- Soni Mehra is the founder of South Asian home decor brand and interior design firm Marble Lotus.
- Nina Lichtenstein is the principal designer of her eponymous New York-based firm.
Why Lamps Add Coziness to a Kitchen
Thanks to all the ingredients flying around, bringing that fuzzy feeling into a kitchen isn’t as easy as laying down an area rug or adding a few throw blankets and cushions—but as the heart of the home, why shouldn’t our kitchens feel as inviting as a living room or bedroom?
To create cozy atmosphere without soft furnishings, our design pros suggest leaning into the warmth and comfort a soft light can bring to a space.
“I think a lamp is the most essential thing for a charming kitchen,” interior designer Peter Spalding says. “If the lighting is all pouring down from the ceiling, it will never be homey.”
“Ambient lighting sources, particularly lamps, are having a moment in kitchen design,” home designer Nina Lichtenstein says. “They bring warmth and softness to a traditionally task-focused space, instantly creating a cozy, welcoming vibe perfect for evening gatherings or late-night snacking.”
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How to Choose a Lamp for Your Kitchen
When it comes to selecting the perfect new light source for your kitchen, there are a few practical features they like to keep in mind. And for Lichtenstein, flexibility is a non-negotiable.
“You’ll want to go for a lamp that offers adjustable lighting options—such as dimmable features or a swiveling head—to allow for different tasks, from cooking to entertaining,” Lichtenstein says.
For Spalding, the most important elements of a kitchen lamp are its versatility and ability to work without plugging it in, saving those much-needed outlets for your appliances.
“Every lighting company under the sun is making portable cordless lamps now, and I’d start with a couple of these,” he says. “But you’re bad at keeping things charged like I am, you can just leave them plugged in (although the lighting manufacturer might recommend differently).”
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Experiment With Heights
When it comes to picking and styling a kitchen lamp, there are more possibilities than you might think. And although you might instantly picture micro-mini countertop varieties, interior designer Soni Mehra says not to overlook the possibility of light coming from a different point in the kitchen.
“I always try to make sure my clients have three light sources that aren’t recessed: a table lamp, a wall sconce, and a floor lamp,” she says. ‘This combination of heights is a great way to add dimension, ambiance, and visual intrigue.”
Consider Your Countertop
As you’re shopping for this new cozy addition, Lichtenstein recommends keeping your kitchen’s current design in mind, and looking for a lamp that works well with the size of your space, and complements the colors, textures, and materials already present.
“Opt for a smaller lamp with a slender base to avoid overwhelming a countertop,” she says. “You’ll also want to match the lamp’s design to your kitchen’s aesthetic, whether that’s modern, rustic, or transitional.”
Keep Placement Practical
Finally, even though the opportunity to set the mood in the kitchen is exciting, both Mehra and Lichtenstein remind us it’s important to keep safety in mind when selecting and styling our kitchen lamps—after all, the room is an area that sees lots of traffic.
“Micro-lamps, battery powered lamps, and sconces take are my top choice in a kitchen,” Mehra says. “They don’t have exposed wires, and therefore won’t be a tripping hazard.”
“Make sure to position the lamp where it can provide subtle illumination without interfering with key food prep areas, ideally in a corner or near a coffee station,” Lichtenstein adds.
