Collection: Kitchen Lights

Kitchen Lights: A Guide to Illuminating Your Culinary Space

When it comes to lighting in the kitchen, there are four different styles to choose from. Ambient lighting sets the mood while task lighting focuses light on the areas where you do most of your work. Depending on the size and layout of your kitchen, you may opt for ceiling-mounted fixtures, recessed lighting, or track lights. There are also decorative options, such as chandeliers and pendants, which make a style statement. And if you have a small kitchen, you may consider hanging a chandelier or pendant for an extra dramatic look.

Toe kick lights are a great way to highlight a worktop, while also providing a functional nightlight. While installing a toe kick light, make sure you select one that provides diffused light instead of a bright spot. Unlike under-counter lighting, toe kick lights do not illuminate your work area, but they add ambiance to the kitchen and make it more appealing. You can also install a toe kick light in a groove underneath the lip of your countertop, and combine it with energy-efficient bulbs for added brightness and ambiance.

The best kitchen lighting is also consistent across the entire space. Ideally, your lights will be close to one another in color temperature and lumens. It is a good idea to keep pendants and ceiling lights within 500k. It is also a good idea to use dimmer switches so you can control the brightness of the lights. A home lighting automation system can be used to program scenes based on presets and can set the mood for each task.

Ambient lighting is ideal for general illumination, while task lighting illuminates specific areas. For general illumination, you can choose wall sconces, pendant lights, chandeliers, and track lighting. Pendants are excellent choices for overhead lighting over islands or in other areas where you need direct illumination. Whether you need ambient lighting or focus light on specific tasks, pendants provide ambiance, and add warmth to a space. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends that your kitchen has adequate lighting to meet all its functions.

The right amount of task lighting in your kitchen will make it easier to perform everyday tasks, such as cooking. While most kitchen lights provide bright task lighting, there are many other styles to choose from that will elevate the aesthetic appeal of your room. Pendants come in many shapes and sizes, and you can even hang a monorail system across the island for extra style and illumination. If you have a smaller kitchen, consider stringing mini pendants next to one another for added illumination.

Under-cabinet lighting is another important feature to consider. Task lighting provides under-cabinet illumination while highlighting the architectural details of your kitchen. You can also use battery-operated LED puck lights to illuminate countertops and work areas. They are an excellent choice because they require no electrical wiring. Kitchens are not complete without proper task lighting. If you have a small kitchen, a backlight may provide more visibility while working. It is also useful for accent lighting.