Simple Kitchen Remodel…Island Pendant Lights Update

A simple pendant light change might be the only update you need to give your kitchen space that WOW factor! In our home we have an open living room-kitchen area. What does that mean? In a nutshell there is not a wall dividing the two rooms. I love the flow and open floor plan to this house design, BUT it’s what lead to our many kitchen remodeling projects! While I would sit on our couch night after night I’d stare right into our kitchen, observing and taking notice of all the small things I’d like changed! My poor husband had no idea what was to come!

Kitchen Project Number 1

Light Fixtures

Luckily some of my dreamy projects were quite simple. Well…I say they were, but that’s because I was not part of the actual installation. While I was out at the gym one Saturday morning, little did I know that my husband was home projecting. I returned from my outing to a pleasant surprise of brand-new pendant lights that I had ordered a week prior. I absolutely fell in love with the new look! The cage-like farmhouse lights totally changed the feel of our kitchen.

Before and After

Suggestions

Dimmable Light Bulbs

Now I personally enjoy a rustic look in any room of our home, so I tend to use bulbs that give our rooms a soft glow. When I first started buying lightbulbs, I had NO idea there were so many different variations that gave off different types of lighting!! Soft light, warm light, cool light….WHAT?? Some people love bright LED lights that almost make a room glow in brightness! My parents are obsessed with this type of lighting in EVERY room of their home. When I go to visit, I get my sunglasses out before preparing for an evening of cards at the kitchen table! But that’s just me!

Lighting Chart

Choosing the right color can be a difficult decision. Color charts help you decide the type of lighting YOU would like in your home. I can’t tell you how many lights I have had to return over the years because the lighting was “TOO BRIGHT”! If this doesn’t help, Home Depot or Lowes has a wonderful light display where you can actually view the lights before purchasing!

Now, of course you can’t do one project without it leading to yet another! SO….stay tuned for more information on our kitchen update. As you can see from the before and after pictures, we changed out a few other items as well. 🙂 When I say “we” I mean our contractor. This is where the DIY kitchen projects came to an end and the professionals were brought in!

My personal favorite? Our butcher block ISLAND!