Posted on 10 Oct, 2025

Ambient lighting is the general, overall illumination that makes your kitchen visible and comfortable. Without it, you'd be navigating in the dark.

Popular fixtures for ambient lighting:

• Recessed "can" lights: These fixtures are flush with the ceiling, providing widespread, unobtrusive illumination. They are a hallmark of a clean, modern look and are best planned with intention to avoid casting shadows. A common rule of thumb is to space them roughly half the distance of your ceiling height (e.g., 4 feet apart for an 8-foot ceiling).
• Flush or semi-flush mounts: These are a great alternative to recessed lighting, especially in kitchens with lower ceilings, as they provide general lighting while adding a decorative touch.
• Linear suspension lights: For higher ceilings, a single large-scale fixture or a series of linear lights can provide a modern, elegant source of ambient light over a large island or dining area.

Task lighting: Illuminate your workspace

Task lighting is the focused, brighter light you need for activities like chopping vegetables, reading recipes, or washing dishes. Without it, you'd be working in your own shadow.

Popular fixtures for task lighting:

• Under-cabinet lights: The most popular choice for illuminating countertops, under-cabinet lighting can be installed as subtle LED strips or individual puck lights. Position them towards the front of your cabinets to ensure the light reaches the entire counter and avoids shadows.
• Pendant lights: A group of two or three pendants over a kitchen island not only serves as task lighting but also makes a stylish statement.
• Directional track lights or monopoints: Modern track or monorail systems allow you to aim individual lights precisely where they are needed, such as over the stove, sink, or other key workspaces.
• Appliance lights: Don't forget to account for the lighting from your range hood or microwave, which can be a key source of illumination for your cooktop.

Accent lighting: The secret to kitchen ambiance

Accent lighting is the "cherry on top" of your lighting plan, used to draw attention to special features and set the mood. This layer is key to transforming a purely functional kitchen into a beautiful and inviting space.

Popular fixtures for accent lighting:

• Inside-cabinet lighting: Showcase your beautiful dishware by installing LED strips inside glass-front cabinets or open shelving.
• Toe-kick lighting: Add a subtle, low-level glow to your kitchen floors with LED strips installed under your base cabinets. This can also serve as a useful nightlight.
• Wall sconces: These can be used to add a decorative touch and cast a warm glow, particularly in a dining nook or next to a window.
• Picture lights: Use small, focused lights to highlight artwork or a textured backsplash.

Smart and stylish kitchen lighting trends for 2025

• Integrated LEDs: The move towards sleek, minimalist design means more lighting is being built directly into cabinetry, shelving, and drawers.
• Statement fixtures: Rather than a simple trio of pendants, oversized, sculptural, or cluster-style pendants are gaining popularity to create a bold focal point over an island.
• Mixing metal finishes: A soft comeback for metallic finishes like aged brass and brushed nickel allows you to mix and match for a personalized, eclectic look.
• Smart dimmers: The ability to adjust lighting color temperature and brightness with a tap of your smartphone or a voice command is a growing trend. Dimmer switches on every layer of lighting are a must-have for setting the perfect mood.

Tips for designing your lighting plan

• Layer it up: Don't rely on a single source of overhead light. Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting for a balanced, functional space.
• Consider your color temperature: The warmth or coolness of your lights, measured in Kelvin (K), can dramatically affect the kitchen's feel. Aim for cooler, brighter light (3500K-5000K) for task areas and warmer, softer light (2700K-3000K) for ambiance.
• Work with natural light: Take into account the amount of natural light your kitchen receives throughout the day and place your artificial lighting to fill in dark spots.
• Use dimmers: Install dimmer switches on every layer of your lighting scheme to give you full control over the mood and intensity of your kitchen's light.