How to Choose the Best Kitchen Lighting

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Lighting

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, creating the perfect lighting scheme is essential for creating a functional yet inviting space. The right type of lighting can make your cooking and meal-prep tasks easier and instantly change the mood and feel of a room. To create the best kitchen lighting, start with overhead fixtures and layer in support lighting.

Choosing Overhead Lighting

Choosing the right overhead lighting is essential for creating a functional space. The most common type of overhead kitchen lighting is recessed ceiling fixtures. These lights are flush to the ceiling, providing diffused, ambient light evenly spreading across the room.

Recessed lighting can use incandescent bulbs or LED lighting in various colors and Kelvin ratings. When selecting the color of your kitchen lights, you want to avoid stark white light fixtures as they can be too bright for comfortable use in a kitchen environment. Instead, opt for warmer tones that provide a more calming atmosphere.

Layering In Support Lighting

Once you’ve chosen the right overhead lighting, it’s time to layer in more support lighting. This is especially important in kitchens with limited natural light. Support lighting can come in pendant lights, track lights, or even under-cabinet lighting for task purposes.

To create a balanced look, spread out the fixtures so there’s no overabundance of light in one spot and not enough in another. The key is to design with purpose, ensuring that each light fixture has a role—whether for task lighting or mood setting. You will want to ensure your kitchen and dining area have ample lighting.

Tips on How to Choose Kitchen Lighting

Now that you know how to choose the proper kitchen lighting, here are some tips to keep in mind when selecting overhead lights and support lighting:

  • Choose fixtures that fit the size of the room – don’t be afraid to mix and match different sizes.
  • Focus on under – cabinet or pendant lights for a stylish look when it comes to task lighting.
  • Ensure each fixture has a purpose – Add dimmer switches to overhead lights and support lighting for more flexibility.
  • Choose the finish based on your style – Whether you prefer a contemporary chrome look or a more traditional vibe, there’s a light fixture that can match your kitchen’s style.
  • Choose your shade type – Opal glass, metal, linen, and clear glass are all great options for different areas in the kitchen. For areas where you need more light, choose clear glass. Opal glass is an excellent choice for a more diffused look, and metal shades are great for more focused lighting.
  • Choose the lighting color – For kitchens, cool white light is recommended. Lighting with a Kelvin rating of 3,000 to 4,5000 is ideal for a kitchen, especially when paired with softer accent lighting.

With the proper kitchen lighting, you can create a functional yet inviting space you’ll love spending time in. By following these tips, you’ll be sure to pick the perfect fixtures for your kitchen remodel.

Professional Kitchen Remodeling Services

At Kitchen & Bath Galleria, we can assist you with everything from design to installation of your new kitchen. Trust our expert kitchen remodelers to help you choose and place your lighting for the right mood and functionality. Contact us today to learn more!

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Greg is the owner of Kitchen & Bath and has been providing designing and building services since 1986. With that much experience, he's become an expert in several types of home renovations.

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