Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Light the worktop where you prepare food. Spotlights give pools of light, LED strip gives an even line with fewer shadows, and magnetic track lets you move lights later.

Light the inside of cupboards, larders and pantries so every shelf is easy to see. A door sensor can switch the light on as the door opens.

A soft glow at floor level adds depth and atmosphere, and acts as a gentle guide light in the evening.

LED strip under the worktop edge casts light down onto the units below, highlighting the cabinetry and making an island a feature.

Illuminated shelves and glass shelf lights show off glassware and open shelving, adding a layer of light at eye level.

Not fitting a new kitchen? Rechargeable battery lights add light to cupboards and wardrobes with no wiring, and are quick to fit.

Splitting lighting into three categories from task to mood and convenience gives you the opportunity to layer your lighting and elevate your kitchen design further.

Start with task lighting around food preparation areas, transition into convenience lighting inside cupboards or drawers and then consider how mood lighting could create an ambient atmosphere.

Creating multiple zones of lighting calls for power to different parts of the kitchen. It’s much easier to install the wiring before the kitchen installation, so plan where wiring needs to be included so you can power the lights once installed.

Think about the wall units, base units and the island unit if you want to create feature lighting under worktop edges or plinths.

Is the kitchen contemporary or traditional? This may help inform the style of fitting you choose but also the colour temperature of the lights.

Warm white LEDs complement features like wood surfaces, whereas cool white LEDs are more suited to contemporary style kitchens. Natural white is versatile and complements a wide range of design finishes.

Much more than a functional feature, lights can truly transform a space.

Zoning the lights so they run from different switches really helps make the most of the space as you’re in control of which lights turn on and when.

Lighting elements can be controlled either together or separately depending on the kind of lighting you install and how the kitchen space will be used.

You may want all the under cabinet lighting to turn on together, or the kitchen cupboards to light up when the cupboard door is opened, or you may want to create a relaxing ambience with feature lighting switched on with the touch of a remote or smart phone app.