Kitchen Lighting Ideas & Tips

Work area. Eating area. Entertaining hot zone.

Using multiple light sources or layers of light will create a balance throughout the kitchen by minimizing glare and shadows, while adding depth and visual interest to the room. A light layering approach also improves a room’s versatility. Learn more about Ambient, Task and Accent Lighting and how you can create your own unique style.

Ambient Lighting

Lighting to provide the area with overall or general illumination.

Ambient Tips: A large ceiling fixture can provide good general lighting for the room, but it may leave you working in your own shadow at the sink, range and counter tops. Use supplemental lighting – like track lights or pendants – to give your tasks illumination.

If you use Ambient Lighting techniques in your kitchen, you might want to consider:

Task Lighting

Add brightness to specific areas to make day to day tasks easier.

Task Tips: Accentuate kitchen cabinets with low-voltage mini-lights over, under, or inside cabinets.

When selecting under cabinet lights, choose energy-efficient fixtures that cover at least two-thirds the length of the counter. When mounting, place the fixtures as close to the front of the cabinets as possible. This helps you avoid glare reflecting off of work surfaces.

Accent Lighting

Highlight features or decorative pieces to enhance the overall look of the area.

Accent Tips: Consider decorative pendants when lighting dinettes, nooks and island counters. When used with a dimmer control, these ceiling-hung fixtures will provide you with adequate task lighting for homework or hobbies and allow you to lower the light for dining or entertaining.

For kitchen islands, hang the light 30 to 60 inches from the top of the countertop.

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