Our Favorite Lighting Options for Your Kitchen

Kitchen lighting options include overhead fixtures for general illumination, under-cabinet lights and island pendants for food preparation, and track or recessed lights to direct light where it is needed. Chandeliers, natural light, dimmer switches and LED bulbs offer additional ways to shape the room's appearance and lighting. The right combination depends on your kitchen layout, the areas you need to illuminate and the fixtures your space can accommodate.

What Are a Few Kitchen Lighting Options for Your Remodel?

Thumb through a kitchen remodeling guide, and you'll find a wide variety of lighting options for your remodeling project. Professional guidance can help you work through those choices.

One of the important decisions for your new kitchen design is which types of lighting to include. Here are some of our favorite kitchen lighting options to help you get started.

Overhead Lighting

Overhead lighting provides general illumination for your kitchen. The type of fixture you choose will depend on how much area you need it to cover. Flush-mount and semi-flush-mount fixtures come in many styles. Lights can be installed individually or incorporated into a single fixture.

Under-Cabinet Lights

Adding under-cabinet lights to your cooking and food preparation areas can enhance your kitchen's functionality. These lights can also add a warm, stylish glow to the room. Three common under-cabinet lighting options are bars, strips and pucks. Some models plug in or use batteries; the power arrangement depends on the fixture you choose.

Island Lights

Kitchen islands provide another place to incorporate lighting. Hanging pendant lights can add style and task lighting over an island or countertop. While their appearance is part of their appeal, a key function is to provide additional illumination where food is prepared.

Track Lights

Track lighting offers flexibility in directing light around a kitchen. Depending on the system, individual lights can be repositioned or aimed independently so that you can adjust where the light goes. Track layouts may include straight lines, L-shapes, curves or multiple angles, subject to the options available for the system and the space.

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting uses fixtures installed within openings in the ceiling. This creates the appearance of light coming from the ceiling rather than from a fixture hanging below it. It is another option to consider during a kitchen remodel.

The space above the ceiling affects whether recessed fixtures can be installed. If that space is limited, review the fixture requirements and any ceiling changes with a professional rather than assuming that the entire ceiling must be replaced.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers can bring a decorative focal point to a kitchen. Both classic and modern designs offer an eye-catching alternative to other fixtures. Some designs incorporate dimmable LEDs, combining a distinctive appearance with adjustable illumination.

Natural Light

Natural light is another way to brighten and beautify a kitchen. How much you can take advantage of it depends on your current kitchen layout and the extent of your remodel.

If the existing kitchen offers limited daylight, adding larger windows or a skylight may involve substantial changes. Consider those changes as part of the overall remodeling plan rather than treating natural light as a simple fixture choice.

Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches let you adjust the level of illumination and help set the mood in your kitchen. They can make the same lighting feel different for food preparation and for a quieter atmosphere.

Compatible dimmers can also connect to smart-home hardware. With a supported system, voice control through a device such as Alexa may let you adjust the lighting level. Compatibility depends on the dimmer, lights and connected hardware.

LED Lights

LED bulbs are an alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. They generally use less energy and can last longer than incandescent bulbs, although performance depends on the products being compared. When choosing kitchen lighting, consider LED options alongside the fixtures and controls you plan to use.