Three basic types of kitchen ceiling lights work together to illuminate your cooking space – ambient, task, and accent.
Whether you’re looking for ambient light to fill up your space, task lighting for food prep and cooking, or accent light to bring out specific points of interest, choosing the right lights is essential for a happy and homey kitchen.
Here’s a closer look at each type of light source:
1. Ambient Lighting
A good ambient lighting system for your kitchen should evenly distribute light throughout the entire space, making activities like preparing meals easier and brighter.
Think of it as a layer of general background lighting that helps to eliminate dimness and brighten up any dark corner areas in your kitchen. Recessed lights or flush mounts are best used for this purpose.
Your home decor should influence your lighting design, so pick one that complements your style. Here are a few great options for ambient lighting:
Chandelier
When it comes to lighting up a kitchen, nothing adds more style and elegance than a chandelier.
A classic mid-century glass or bronze design can bring that extra bit of charm to your kitchen, while bold contemporary pieces can make an eye-catching centerpiece in any room. Plus, a chandelier looks great when hanging over a kitchen island or workspace.
Pro Tip: Choose the right size for the space. If you buy a chandelier that is too large, it could end up feeling overwhelming.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is ideal for highlighting all the hard work that has gone into creating your dream kitchen.
These lights are installed inside the ceiling and typically provide a more diffused, widespread light than other types of lighting. That means recessed lighting is great for providing general overhead lighting and creating a softer atmosphere in the kitchen compared to chandeliers or other fixtures.
Recessed lights can be used effectively through a combination of spotlights, cans, and panels that can be easily arranged in any layout. A flush mount light or a semi-flush mount light is a great way to begin your recessed lighting journey.
Working with a smaller space? Our Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas article can help you maximize your lighting in compact kitchens.
Track Lights
Track lights are an easy way to bring muted yet sophisticated lighting to your kitchen walls or countertops.
What is track lighting? Track lighting is a track with individual LED lamps mounted onto it to spread whatever kind of light you need throughout your space. You can control each lamp individually at different intensities, so track lights are perfect for setting up mood lighting.
Whether it’s highlighting a feature wall or providing soft backlight for cupboards and display pieces, track lights will give your room a whole new look. This type of lighting is also good for a living room or bedroom and can be very cost-effective.
2. Task Lighting
Task lighting provides additional illumination in areas where accuracy or detail are essential, such as prepping food, adding ingredients to a pot, or washing dishes.
The exact intensity of these lights will be dependent on the area being lit, and task lighting typically requires direct lighting fixtures suspended from the ceiling or wall-mounted for optimal results.
Here are the standard kitchen light fixtures you can find in most kitchens:
Under-Cabinet Lights
Under-cabinet lights have plenty of uses when it comes to brightening up a dark area below cabinets and counters where natural light may not reach. Whether it’s task-related, such as preparing food items, or simply making sure everything looks lit up evenly around an island bench, these lights provide uniformity while also adding subtle decor touches to your kitchen.
If you’re thinking about investing in new kitchen cabinets, you can incorporate LED lights within the design. For older cabinets, you can buy individual strips of LED lighting to install along the bottom edge.
There are options ranging from warm white LEDs through dimmable strips and even adjustable arm bulbs if motion sensing is needed – each installation will depend on preference, but either way, under-cabinet lights make big impacts with only minimal costs involved.
When planning your under-cabinet lighting, don’t forget about your cabinets. Our Complete Guide to Choosing Kitchen Cabinets can help you make the right choices.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights add sophistication and style to spaces, but they can also act as practical task illumination when placed strategically around islands or tables in kitchens. This makes them highly versatile lights worthy of consideration when redecorating this space.
Industrial boho pendants, funky glass shades, or retro wrought-iron lights can bring a fresh look to your current kitchen. No matter which design you choose, these lights will draw the right kind of attention.
Recessed Fixtures
Recessed fixtures are perfect for small task lighting needs, and they create a more subtle look so you can enjoy direct, focused illumination without parts of the fixture being visible. Recessed lights, also known as canister lights, are fixtures that fit into a hollow opening in the ceiling.
These are most commonly used to provide indirect lighting and highlight certain areas of the house or room by keeping the fixture out of direct view while still providing light.
3. Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is all about drawing the eye to certain areas, helping to create an atmosphere of excitement and interest in your kitchen. This type of light uses various forms, shadows, and colors to transform ordinary surfaces into opulent decorations.
For instance, accent lights can be used to highlight a statement wall or set the mood with colored light. These lights can also be positioned strategically to create specialized accent pieces in dimly-lit corners, creating intrigue and ambiance.
Looking for more ways to spruce up your kitchen? Our Kitchen Remodel Ideas To Transform Any Kitchen might spark some inspiration.
Here are some great options for accent lighting fixtures that can add style and light up the room:
Sconces
Installing sconces near your kitchen sink or countertop can be a great way to add that extra bit of light and character. Depending on the type of fixture, sconces can offer both up-light and down-light options to brighten up an area.
Scalloped-edge fixtures are usually a smart style choice when it comes to accent lighting because they offer both dramatic and soft light. Adding wall sconces on either side of an art piece can be the perfect way to emphasize it, creating a great focal point in your kitchen.
If you prefer something more modern and minimalistic, you can opt for sleek bar-style sconces that offer bright, practical light with an extra touch of style.
Picture Lights
Nothing screams elegance like picture lights across the top of any artwork on kitchen walls. This lighting technique has unique ways of setting the tone while emphasizing the overall effect of whatever art, photo, or framed items are on display.
Whether coffee cups and desserts or large family portraits, this customized spot lighting system can make any dinner party that much brighter by keeping artwork in full focus, even from across the room.
Accent Track Lights
Although track lights have been mentioned as a kitchen task lighting solution, they can also be used effectively for accent lighting with careful planning in terms of spacing and illumination.
With adjustable spot heads, you can cast light in multiple directions, which can be particularly useful when it comes to illuminating artwork or architectural details within cozy kitchen spaces.
Track lights give you the freedom to make the most of your kitchen space. Adding directional light that can point, tilt, and swivel in any direction allows you to create unique lighting effects around cabinets, doorways, and walls where wall sconces won’t work.
Shining a Light on Your Kitchen’s Potential
The heart of your home deserves the best lighting it can get, so shop around and find the right type of kitchen ceiling light that will work best for your space.
While functional lighting needs should always come first, look for options that reflect your personal style to create a beautiful, well-lit kitchen that you love coming home to.
Note: Home Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with pros in your area.
Main Image Credit: Pexels
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