One type of breakfast nook lighting fixture is the chandelier. A chandelier is defined as a branched decorative light fixture that hangs from the ceiling. By branched, I mean that there are usually two or more arms that bear light. They are often, but do not have to be ornate. Crystal is quite common so that the room is lighted not only by the light bulbs, but also by refracted light. However, there are also plain chandeliers and this is more likely what you will find in the breakfast nook lighting situation. Breakfast nooks are more informal than dining rooms so simple light fixtures are best.

Another type of light fixture that is sometimes classified as a chandelier, but it really is slightly different is the pendant light fixture. This common breakfast nook light fixture is also sometimes called a drop light or suspender. This style has a single light fixture suspended from the ceiling. That fixture can have multiple light bulbs inside it, but there are no arms each with their own light bulb. This light fixture is most popular in the breakfast nook because it is simple and easy to match to any décor.

A third option for breakfast nook lighting is recessed lighting. If you use recessed lighting in your breakfast nook then you are probably using it in the rest of the kitchen as well. Recessed lighting fixtures are ones that are recessed into the ceiling so only the light bulb is visible. When they are turned on it appears as though light is coming out of a hole in the ceiling. The light bulbs in this style light fixture are often easier to change than in chandeliers or pendant lights. Sometimes you need to remove piece of the chandelier or take the pendant light apart to have access to an old light bulb and change to a new one. Recessed lighting is always exposed and easy to reach. However, it does not have any character or style. You cannot use the light fixture in your breakfast nook as decoration if you use recessed the lighting.

The same holds true for track light, the last breakfast nook lighting possibility. Track lighting is a lighting method where small light fixtures are attached to a track and can be moved to point to light in a particular direction. If you are using track light in the breakfast nook, then you are probably using track lighting in the rest of your kitchen as well. Track lighting is very trendy, but it is probably not as appropriate for the breakfast nook because instead of shedding light on the entire table, the light will be directed on particular chairs and locations. There will always be small areas that are not lit well.

The first decision you need to make about your lighting is whether you want to use overhead lighting or lamps. Most rooms in your home benefit from a combination of both. However, lamps might not be the most appropriate in the kitchen. Typically, your breakfast nook will have just a table and chairs. Many breakfast nook sets have benches that are up against the wall. This does not leave much room for additional furniture to hold a lamp. Because you want to seat as many people as possible, you will probably try to put the largest table you can in the space you have. This will not leave much room for floor lamps either. Floor lamps could get in the way when you are trying to pull a chair out or push it in. Therefore, overhead lighting will probably be the best option.

What kind of overhead lighting should you install? There are many possibilities, but the two main choices are with recessed lighting or with hanging light fixtures. There are positives and negatives to both choices. Your factor that could affect your choice is the shape of your table. If you have a round or square table, then a single hanging light fixture directly overhead will light the eating space evenly. However, if you have a long rectangular table, then a single hanging light might leave the ends of the table in relative darkness. In this instance, you could choose a hanging light fixture that is rectangular as well or you could use recessed lighting. Recessed lighting allows you to light a space in any way you like. You are not forced into any configuration by the shape of a fixture or the location of the bulbs. You can point recessed lighting sources in any direction and install as many as necessary to light the entire room. Experts say that to light the room most appropriately, you should overlap the areas illuminated by your recessed lighting by approximately forty percent.

Whatever type of lighting you decide on; there are some features you can add that will make any lighting design better. One such feature is a dimmer switch. Because you will not have the benefit of a lamp to softly light the room if you desire, the dimmer switch allows you to change the mood of the room whenever you like. If you want to have a romantic dinner, the combination of candlelight and overhead lights, dimmed low, sets the perfect mood. Another way to achieve different levels of lighting without employing lamps is to use a light fixture that has several levels. There are hanging chandeliers that have one central light bulb and then several smaller bulbs around it. Then on the light switch, you can have three choices. One choice would be to turn only the center light on, the second would be to turn only the outer lights on, and the third would be for both to be on. This is not as smooth as a dimmer but it can give you variety.

Whatever lighting system you decide to use in your breakfast nook, make sure that it is complimentary to your other décor. If you have a modern table and chairs then you can pick a modern light fixture or use recessed lighting. If your breakfast nook set is inspired more by country themes, then make sure your lighting reflects that as well.