kitchen lighting

A good lighting plan will help create a safe and inviting room. Think about light fixtures early in the remodeling process to ensure you can add light where you really need it.

The kitchen is at the center of many types of activities, so it deserves a complex lighting plan that addresses the room’s various roles. Good overall lighting ensures the kitchen is a welcoming place for friends and family to gather, but you’ll also want efficient light aimed at kitchen work areas.

Task Lighting

Be sure to illuminate work surfaces in the main cooking and prep spaces. Undercabinet lighting can be an excellent option here; many low-profile fixtures can easily be hidden from view. Affordable xenon lights are cooler than halogen bulbs and can easily be retrofitted into an existing kitchen. Choose from strips or puck lights. Track lighting and pendant lights above an island are also popular ways to add efficient task lighting at the center of the room. The basic rule for the height of a pendant light is 35–40 inches above the work surface. Also consider adding a light fixture over the primary sink to illuminate the cleanup zone.

Ambient Lighting

This type of lighting provides general illumination for the room and substitutes for natural lighting when it’s not available. Recessed ceiling lights arranged around the room are especially useful when the kitchen is being used simultaneously by several people for different purposes such as cooking, homework, and socializing. A surface-mount ceiling light in the center of the room can also work—or opt for a chandelier for a touch of drama. You can add a gentle glow around the perimeter of the room with cove lighting. In this scenario, rope lights are hidden behind a molding installed several inches below the ceiling. Consider installing dimmers so you can save energy and change the mood when entertaining.

Accent Lighting

Add a special spotlight or aim track lights so they illuminate a prized collection of dishware or pottery, a dramatic piece of artwork, or a striking architectural feature.