The first step in buying island lighting is to determine what type of lighting you need. If the island is primarily used for cooking and preparation, directional task lighting may be your best choice. If it is primarily used for social fathering, softer light may be sufficient.

Making the Right Choice

Once you’ve determined if you need task or general ambient lighting, you can begin to think about lighting styles. Do you have an electrical box already installed? Do you have more than one? These are important features to take into consideration.

•  •  Multi-light island lights are available in a variety of styles and sizes and attach to one electrical box. For more direct task lighting, select a fixture with individual downlights. To create a more general lighting ambience, select a single lamp with multiple light bulbs.

•  •  Mini Pendant lights work best if you have multiple electrical boxes or want to install your own, mini pendant lights may be the right choice for you. They provide direct task lighting, but do not provide enough ambient light to illuminate an entire kitchen, so make sure to use them in conjunction with another light source.
•  •  Track lighting is a popular lighting option that can be used in almost any situation. There are tracks available that fit into one electrical box but allow you to hang multiple pendant lights. For the most design options, select a flexible track so you can emphasize the shape of your kitchen island. Track lighting also comes with spotlight options, so you can customize your lighting system for your needs.