If you're designing a new home and you plan to add a kitchen island, you will need to find the right lighting for the island. There are plenty of choices and plenty of things to consider.

Since the island can quickly become the gathering place in the home, you want to make sure it's well-lit. Kids may use it for homework, while you may use it for preparing meals. Here are some of the things to consider when it comes to the lighting for your kitchen island.

Pendant Lighting

A very popular type of lighting for your kitchen is pendant lighting. Most designers will tell you the more pendants you add, the simpler the pendants should be. This is a great choice for above the kitchen island, as it provides plenty of focused light.

Mini-Chandeliers

Another choice for above the kitchen island is a mini-chandelier. This type of lighting won't take up too much space and will still provide plenty of light. It also won't take away from the beauty of your kitchen design.

If you prefer to use a full chandelier, pendant lighting is a good choice to accent the kitchen. You can use it to make the design look great, even with a full chandelier in another area of the kitchen.

Mixing Metal Finishes

Just because you choose appliances with a stainless steel finish doesn't mean you have to choose lighting with the same finish. You can mix metal finishes between the two and get a better look to your kitchen. For example, if you add lighting with a matte finish, you will get a more dramatic style to your kitchen, while brass may provide more warmth and balance.

Size and Shape

You will also want to consider the size and the shape of your lights. This will make a different, as a medium light is recommended if your island is five to eight feet in length. However, if you use a medium light for a smaller island, it may be too much light.

Make sure you consider the options available as you are designing your house. Your builder and designer will also be able to help you choose the right type of lighting for your kitchen island.