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Kitchen Lighting Design Guide

Author: Mark Tregunna

Expert advice from the Universal Lighting team to help you plan, layer and light your kitchen beautifully, practically, and efficiently.

Modern kitchen with ultra modern LED pendant hanging over kitchen island.

Why Kitchen Lighting Matters

Modern kitchens are more than just places to cook. they’re flexible rooms where we work, relax, entertain, and enjoy quality time together. Whether you’re preparing meals, helping with homework, or hosting friends, the right kitchen lighting transforms how the space looks and feels.

Effective kitchen lighting can:

  • Make a small kitchen appear brighter and more spacious
  • Add warmth and atmosphere to open-plan kitchen diners
  • Highlight features such as kitchen islands or shelving
  • Improve visibility and safety around cooking areas and sinks
  • Reduce energy use with eco-friendly LED lighting

Explore Our kitchen lighting collection

Modern kitchen showing three globes hanging over breakfast bar.

The Four Important Types of Kitchen Lighting (And How to Use Them)

1. General Lighting

This is known as ambient ceiling lighting, this is your main light source and sets the tone for the room. It ensures you can navigate your kitchen safely and creates a bright lighting base.

Best general kitchen lighting options:

Flush ceiling lights in a small kitchen, together with a pendant over the sink area.

2. Task Lighting (For Food Preparation & Cooking)

Task lighting focuses on work surfaces, such as worktops or hobs, providing shadow free, concentrated light for chopping, cooking and cleaning.

Top choices for kitchen task lighting:

Modern kitchen with LED under cupboard lights illuminating the worktop.

3. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting helps highlight features like shelving, display cabinets or your splash back. It adds character and depth to your kitchen.

Ideas for accent lighting:

  • Spotlights inside glass-fronted display cabinets
  • LED strip lighting under floating shelves
  • Wall-mounted lights for decorative touches
  • Recessed directional downlights that highlight textures and surfaces

Worktop with glass cabinets above in kitchen, with downlights fitted inside the cupboards and under cupboard lighting.

4. Ambient Lighting (Creates Atmosphere)

Ambient lighting gives your kitchen a relaxing glow that’s perfect for unwinding or entertaining. It adds warmth without drowning the room with light.

Ambient lighting options include:

  • LED kitchen plinth lights for floor-level mood lighting
  • Top-of-cabinet LED strips to bounce light off the ceiling
  • Wall lights or up lighters for cosy background lighting
  • Modern LED kitchen lighting ideas include smart colour-changing bulbs and app-controlled dimmers

Home automation concept image showing hub and illuminated LEDs.

Choosing the Right Kitchen Lighting

Small Kitchens

  • Use slimline flush ceiling lights or recessed LED panels to save space
  • LED under-cabinet lights open up worktops and reduce shadows
  • Reflective finishes (gloss tiles or glass splash backs) help bounce light
  • Try affordable pendant lights for small kitchens to add charm without taking up space

Kitchen with Island

  • Hang 2–3 pendant lights above the island, spaced evenly
  • Mix with recessed spotlights or adjustable track or spot lighting for flexibility

Galley Kitchens

  • Downlights spaced along the ceiling keep the space bright and even
  • Add LED strips under both rows of the cabinets

Open-Plan Kitchen Diners

  • Light in zones: ceiling lights for general, pendants for dining, and ambient light for relaxing
  • Install smart LED lighting for open-plan kitchen diners with voice or app control for simple ambiance changes

Kitchen diner with two pendants over a breakfast bar and downlights.

The table below shows which fixture work best in each location:

AREA RECOMMENDED LIGHTING TYPE
Worktops LED under-cabinet strips or recessed downlights
Kitchen island/bar Pendant lights (adjustable or fixed height)
Sink or prep zone Directional spotlights or recessed downlights
Dining table
Rise-and-fall pendant
or dimmable ceiling light
Kitchen plinths Low-level LED strip or plinth lights

Kitchen Lighting Design Summary Checklist Table

Lighting Type Purpose Best For Fittings to Consider
General Overall illumination Walking around, daily tasks Flush mounts, LED panels, ceiling downlights
Task Focused work lighting Food prep, cooking, cleaning Under-cabinet strips, extractor hob lights
Accent Feature lighting Display cabinets, splash backs, shelving Spotlights, display strips, cabinet LEDs
Ambient Soft background lighting Evening use, entertaining, relaxing Plinth lights, up lighters, hidden LED systems
Zoning Tip Layered light control Open-plan layouts, multi-use spaces Smart switches, dimmers, app-based controls

Kitchen Lighting Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many lights do I need in my kitchen?

A: It depends on the layout, ceiling height and natural light, but a good guide is 300–500 lumens per square metre. Use a combination of different lighting types for the best balance.

Q: What’s the best kitchen lighting for under cabinets?

A: LED strip lights or recessed LED lights. They’re compact, bright, and energy-efficient. Choose warm white (2700K–3000K) for a cosy glow or cool white (4000K) for clarity.

Q: Can I install dimmable kitchen lights?

A: Yes, most modern kitchen LED lighting products support dimming. Make sure you use dimmable bulbs and compatible dimmer switches, or go for a smart lighting solution.

Q: How high should pendant lights hang above an island?

A: Ideally 75–90cm above the surface, so they provide optimal illumination for tasks like food preparation while maintaining a clear line of sight.

Q: Are LED batten lights better than fluorescent tubes?

A: Definitely. LED battens are brighter, flicker-free, and more eco-friendly. They use less energy and last far longer than traditional fluorescents.

Expert Tips for Designing Kitchen Lighting

  • Layer your lighting – Combine general, task, accent and ambient lighting for a flexible and stylish space.
  • Use smart controls – Great for open-plan layouts and mood-setting. Experiment with smart bulbs, dimmers, or app-based systems.
  • Balance natural and artificial light – Position task and ceiling lights where natural daylight fades, especially in north-facing or windowless kitchens.
  • Eco tip: Choose eco-friendly kitchen lighting solutions like energy-efficient LED ceiling lights and low-energy under-cabinet LEDs to reduce consumption and lower your bills.

Still Need Help? Talk to Our Experts

Still not sure what lights go where? We’re here to help! Our friendly UK-based team offers expert advice, whether you’re updating your kitchen or planning a full redesign.

Call us on 0151 650 2138 or Contact Us for honest, no-pressure advice.

Or browse our full Kitchen Lighting Range to discover stylish, energy-efficient lighting at prices you’ll love.

Ready to light up your kitchen? Let’s make your dream kitchen shine, stylishly, efficiently and affordably.

Shop Kitchen Lighting