This article explores the best kitchen lighting ideas, from pendants and chandeliers to under-cabinet and accent lighting. Discover how to choose fixtures for task lighting, ambiance, and style. Estimated reading time: 8 minutes What Are The Main Types Of Kitchen Lighting? When designing your kitchen lighting, it’s important to incorporate different types of illumination to serve different needs. Here are some of the main lighting categories according to Home Lighting Pros [1]: Ambient lighting – General overall illumination, usually from ceiling lights. This provides general visibility. Task lighting – Direct light focused on specific work areas like food prep surfaces and the stove. Under-cabinet lighting is a common task lighting choice. Accent lighting – Adds drama by highlighting architectural or design elements. Recessed lights, pendants, and track lighting work well. Decorative lighting – Light fixtures that double as decorative elements like chandeliers and pendants. How Much Light Does A Kitchen Need? The kitchen requires bright, focused task lighting for food preparation and cooking but lower ambient and accent lighting for a cozier vibe. Here are some tips from Better Homes & Gardens [2]: For general kitchen illumination, aim for 30-50 foot candles. Use at least 50-70 foot candles for task lighting over key workstations. Incorporate dimmers to adjust brightness easily for different needs. Choose bulbs with high lumen output like LEDs. Combine overhead ambient lighting with focused under-cabinet or pendant task lighting. Get A Quote Get A Quote What Are The Best Island Kitchen Lighting Ideas? The kitchen island is a multi-purpose workhorse and focal point, so smart lighting is key. Consider these island lighting ideas recommended by HGTV [3]: Pendants – Great for task and accent lighting. Cluster 3-5 single pendants for visual impact. Recessed lighting – Provides general illumination directed right over the island. LED strip lighting – Discreet but bright task lighting under cabinets. Chandeliers – Add drama and style over larger islands. Mini pendants – Perfect 2-3 light fixtures for narrower islands. How To Choose Flattering Kitchen Ceiling Lights The proper kitchen ceiling lighting provides ambient illumination and complements your design aesthetic. Keep these tips in mind from Better Homes & Gardens [4]: For traditional kitchens, opt for simple flush mount or semi-flush lights. Go for sleek, minimalist fixtures for modern and contemporary kitchens. Rustic kitchens can handle bold antler chandeliers or wagon wheel lights. Choose pendant lighting to add visual interest to standard flat ceilings. Install ceiling lights that match or contrast your kitchen’s interior color scheme. What Is The Best Lighting For A Kitchen Island? Kitchen islands demand great lighting whether used for food prep, dining, or entertaining. Ideally, incorporate 3-4 of these island lighting ideas according to HGTV [5]: Pendants – Position pendants 28-34 inches above the island counter. Go for three to five clustered pendants. Recessed lighting – Works perfectly placed right over the center of the island. LED strip lights – Discreet but highly functional task lighting under cabinets. Chandeliers – For large walk-in islands, a dramatic chandelier can serve as a stunning focal point. Mini-pendants – Optimal island lighting if space is tight. Two mini-pendants flanking the island provide great task lighting. Get A Quote What Types Of Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Should You Install? The best kitchen cabinet lighting illuminates counters and shelves to help with meal prep and cooking tasks. Consider installing per recommends from Better Homes & Gardens [6]: LED strip lighting under both wall and base cabinets for the most versatile task lighting. Small puck lights inside wall cabinets to spotlight contents and eliminate rummaging. Rail lighting that attaches to the bottoms of wall cabinets for a streamlined look. Built-in LED shelves connected right to cabinetry to directly light countertops below. Freestanding cabinet lights that clamp onto shelves for portable task lighting. Toe-kick lighting at base cabinet foundations to provide subtle visibility and safety. How To Choose Kitchen Track Lighting Track lighting offers amazing flexibility and directional illumination perfect for kitchens. Follow this advice from HGTV [7]: Opt for LED track heads for the best energy efficiency and brightness. Include adjustable heads to aim light right where needed. Surface-mount tracks are easiest to install but recessed tracks are more discreet. Position track above locations like the kitchen sink, island, and countertops. Run track sections horizontally or vertically depending on your space. Choose track lengths based on the area you want to illuminate. Extensions can also customize the coverage. What Is The Best Kitchen Lighting For Over A Kitchen Sink? Since the kitchen sink sees heavy use for meal prep and cleanup, well-lit sink areas are essential. These lighting options work great according to Better Homes & Gardens [8]: Bar pendant lights positioned low over the sink provide direct task lighting. Under-cabinet lighting or LED strip lights ensure visibility without shadows. Wall sconces on either side of the sink offer bright ambient illumination. Portable plug-in lamps can be moved around as needed. A decorative light fixture over window-adjacent sinks adds style while bouncing light. Get A Quote How To Brighten Up Dark Kitchens Make a dark kitchen brighter and more inviting with these smart lighting solutions from HGTV [9]: Install large reflective light fixtures to balance shadowy corners. Add recessed ceiling lights spaced every 4-6 feet for even overhead visibility. Incorporate white fixtures, surfaces, and finishes to maximize light reflection. Opt for high lumen, high CRI (color rendering index) bulbs like LEDs. Include lots of task lighting like under-cabinet lights. Supplement with natural light from wide windows, skylights, and glass doors. Use dimmers to raise illumination only when needed. Add mirror backsplashes to reflect and amplify ambient lighting. Choosing Flattering Kitchen Table Lighting Kitchen tables deserve great lighting that enables dining and food prep while setting the right mood. Ideas include according to Better Homes & Gardens [10]: Informal pendant lights over the center of round tables. Formal chandeliers for elegant ambiance over rectangular tables. Recessed ceiling lights to wash the full table surface with illumination. Wall sconces flanking a table placed against the wall. Portable table