While dining in low light may be romantic, cooking in a dim area is far less appealing (and far more dangerous). That’s why lighting is an essential part of any kitchen design . From task lighting to decorative pendants, there are a variety of ways to illuminate your space and add a bold design element at the same time. We’ve gathered beautiful kitchens from the AD archives that are filled with smart and stylish lighting designs . See how top designers including Steven Gambrel, David Netto, and Muriel Brandolini use lighting as the focal point of the kitchen and find inspiration for your next renovation.

At a Southampton, New York, retreat renovated by interior designer David Netto and architect David Hottenroth, tiles custom made by Tile Guild based on Gio Ponti designs animate the kitchen, which is appointed with pendant lights by Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., a hood custom made by RangeCraft, a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a Wolf range, and a pair of BassamFellows tractor stools from Design Within Reach.

Pendant lights by Lindsey Adelman Studio illuminate the kitchen of a Kentucky estate revived by architect Joel Barkley and interior designer Todd Klein. The space is equipped with a hood by Vent-a-Hood, a Wolf range, and Rohl sink fittings; the stools are by Altura Furniture from Dennis Miller Assoc., and the walls are clad in Waterworks tile.

At a mountain retreat in Washington State designed by Olson Kundig Architects, the kitchen ceiling is clad in reclaimed corral boards from ReHistoric Wood Products, and marine-grade plywood was used for the cabinetry, which is accented by Tom Kundig Collection hardware from 12th Avenue Iron; the pendant lights are by Tom Dixon, the counter stools are from Design Within Reach, the chairs are by Moooi, the range is by Thermador, and the sink fittings are by Hansgrohe.

Bespoke cabinetry and a Campana Brothers suspension light enliven the kitchen of a Connecticut estate designed by India Mahdavi; the stools are by BassamFellows from Design Within Reach, the Eames side chairs are by Vitra, and the oven is by Miele.

At a Hamptons home conceived by architect Deborah Berke and designer Thomas O’Brien, Aero Studios created the oak cabinetry in the kitchen; the billiard light is a Thomas O’Brien design from Aero, the range and hood are by Wolf, and the barstools are by Soane Britain.

Pendant lights by Steven Gambrel for the Urban Electric Co. hang in the kitchen of a Manhattan duplex conceived by the designer. The room features walls sheathed in Urban Archaeology tile and cabinetry by Gambrel and Arcologica; the hood is by RangeCraft, the range is by Viking, and the sink fittings are by Kallista.

The kitchen of a North Carolina home by architecture firm Gluck+ features black-walnut-veneer cabinetry and a copper backsplash; displayed on the latter are specially commissioned tile panels by artist Anne-Brit Soma Reienes. The pendant light fixture is by ET2 Contemporary Lighting, the vent is by Dacor, the cooktop and ovens are by Wolf, and the Franke sinks are equipped with Hansgrohe fittings.

At a San Francisco home designed by Douglas Durkin, an Ann-Morris light fixture presides over the island in the kitchen, which also includes a Waterworks-tile backsplash, a Wolf range, and Erika Brunson chairs upholstered in a Rose Tarlow Melrose House fabric.

The kitchen of a Long Island home devised by architect Robert A.M. Stern and decorated by Steven Gambrel is appointed with a RangeCraft hood, a Lacanche range, Waterworks sink fittings, and cabinet hardware by Sun Valley Bronze; the vintage lanterns are from Olde Good Things, and the chairs are by TK Collections.

At a London rowhouse designed by Veere Grenney, the kitchen is crowned by a circa-1955 Gio Ponti light fixture; the cabinetry and marble breakfast bar are by Boffi, the stools are from Design Within Reach, and the oven is by Gaggenau.

A copper lantern hangs above the island in the kitchen of architect Jim Joseph and composer Scott Frankel’s upstate New York home ; the glazed cabinets were fashioned from antique windows, and the drop-leaf breakfast table is Federal.

Architect Allan Greenberg designed the kitchen cabinetry in a Houston home he crafted with decorator Elissa Cullman; the light fixtures are by Ann-Morris Antiques, the range is from EuroChef USA, the wall oven is by TurboChef, and the sink fittings are by Waterworks.

The kitchen of designer Muriel Brandolini’s Hamptons beach house is equipped with cabinetry faced in colored wood veneer and concrete counters; the pendant lights are by Twentytwentyone, and the stools and corner bookcase are from Design Within Reach.