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Led lighting ideas for kitchen


35 Best Kitchen Lighting Ideas 2022

Kitchens are ground zero for delectable meals, family gatherings, and creative design opportunities, which means they should certainly shine. Enter: kitchen lighting ideas, an essential prerequisite for cheffing it up. From ornamental pendants to unobtrusive track lighting, the options for kitchen light fixtures are endless. Today's top designers have predictably led the way in illuminating different design possibilities, proving that sconces, blinged-out chandeliers, and dimmers all have a seat at the kitchen table.

Just like living rooms and bedrooms, the tried and true rules of layered lighting apply to the kitchen. By intentionally layering light, you can harness that power and create a well-lit, well-balanced kitchen interior. To start, employ task lighting like sconces and chic lamps above cooking hot spots for more clarity. Next up, evenly-dispersed ambient lighting can help further create balance. And, of course, don’t discount a statement piece. Be it a tole chandelier or a Murano glass fixture, statement lighting can work in a kitchen, too.

If you’re currently in the midst of cooking up a lighting scheme for your own kitchen, here are 35 kitchens that exemplify a considered and purposeful approach to lighting. Get inspired by how these designers lit up these kitchens, whether you have a small layout or a space with low ceilings.

1

Out of the Blue

Rustic White Photography

For a sleek mid-century modern-inspired kitchen, Brian Watford suspended a trio of glass globe pendant lights above a marble-topped kitchen island.

2

Minty Fresh

John M. Hall

In this farmhouse-inspired kitchen designed by Young Huh, mint green cabinetry provides a striking backdrop for a trifecta of simple glass pendants.

3

Be In The Pink

Werner Straube

Red pendants lend the perfect amount of vibrancy to this coral kitchen designed by Elizabeth Drake.

4

Mix and Match

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Playfulness is on full display in this ultra-patterned kitchen designed by Bachman Brown.

5

Easy Breezy

Julie Soefer

The navy blue and gold-accented island steals the show in this sun-filled kitchen designed by Creative Tonic, while a quintuplet of sconces provide directed countertop light.

6

Struck Gold

Laura Resen

In this sophisticated kitchen designed by Beth Webb, gold pendants blend seamlessly with a mosaic backsplash and weathered wood island.

7

Old Fashioned

Nathan Schroder

Vintage hanging lanterns impose Victorian-esque charm in this sunny and airy kitchen teed up by Dodson Interiors.

8

Double Duty

David Sundberg, ESTO

In this kitchen cued up by Douglas C. Wright, a shaded pendant illuminates the wood kitchen island, while a gold picture light sheds light on a book-filled hutch.

9

Let Them Eat Cake

Josh Thornton

Reminiscent of a French bakery, this ultra-chic kitchen designed by Summer Thornton makes the ultimate case for a classic black and white color combo.

10

Sun-Drenched Style

Family Room

Although the skylight and arched floor-to-ceiling windows bring in plenty of light, industrial pendants and a massive orb chandelier seal the deal in this kitchen designed by James Thomas.

11

Plain Poise

Nick Guttridge

A Sputnik-inspired chandelier adds a touch of modernism to this the otherwise provincial-style space designed by Christina Nielsen.

12

Down to Earth

Beall + Thomas Photography

A brass keystone chandelier is a perfect complement to this neutral kitchen designed by Suzanne Kasler.

13

Playful in Pink

Annie Schlechter

A spunky palette and playful pendants wake up this kitchen designed by Ayromloo Design.

14

Good Things Come in Threes

Christopher Dibble Photography

Symmetry is the name of the game for this kitchen designed by Nate Berkus. Three opaline globe pendants perfectly balance the island's six bar stools.

15

Lead the Way

Julie Soefer

A pair of steel-encased globe pendant lights provide ample light in this cheery galley kitchen designed by Chandos Interiors.

16

Pendant Pairing

Durston Saylor

For a kitchen with a homey, cabin vibe designer David Scott used a pair of crimson, quatrefoil pendants to bring the outdoors in.

17

Strong as Steel

Chris Little Photography - Atlanta

Stainless pendants make the perfect complement to this chef-grade kitchen designed by J. Hirsch Interiors.

18

Elect Eclectism

Ryan McDonald

Afraid of overcrowding your kitchen with fixtures? Follow designer Sarah Montgomery's lead and opt for a single hanging pendant.

19

Exuberance, Exemplified

Phillip Ennis

So as not to compete with the vibrant color palette (and dramatic ceiling!) featured in this cozy kitchen, White Webb Interior Design selected a pair of simple milk glass pendants to provide illumination.

20

Dashingly Debonair

Michael Alan Kaskel

Industrial black pendants partnered with slate blue cabinets make this kitchen designed by KitchenLab Interiors feel both sleek and chic.

21

One-Track Mind

Aimee Mazzenga

Practice restraint and follow studio CAK's lead of installing simple black track lighting to make a kitchen feel unexpectedly minimalist.

22

Forward-Looking

Roger Davies

A funky, geometric overhead fixture gives this kitchen designed by Jamie Bush + Co. a futuristic feel.

23

Dreamy Drum

Anita Sarsidi

Two conical canvas drum pendants bring a uniquely industrialist touch to this kitchen designed by M. Elle Design.

24

Lumen Large

Neil Landino Jr.

A pair of neoclassical-style, lantern pendants bring in an Old World feel to this crisp and contemporary kitchen designed by Rinfret Limited.

25

Glint of Gold

Tim Williams

A gold dome pendant glistens against the background of weighty, navy-gray cabinetry in this kitchen designed by Laurie Blumenfeld.

26

Right as Rain

Tony Soluri

In this serene, crisp kitchen designed by Lisa Berman, opaque flush mounts and a bulb-style chandelier recall water droplets falling from the sky.

27

Sea Shell Chic

Kris Tamburello

A chandelier made of seashells lends a whimsical note to this kitchen designed by Kakar House of Design.

28

Geometric Eclectism

Eric Piasecki

Prism-shaped light fixtures steal the show in this kitchen-slash-dining room designed by Kati Curtis.

29

Scalloped Edge

Sara Ligorria-Tramp

Crisp pendant lights let the bamboo-bedecked island and punchy blue backsplash take center stage in this modern kitchen teed up by L.A-based firm Murphy Design.

30

Drum Drama

Zeke Ruelas

A matte black drum pendant adds a brooding mystery to this crisp, contemporary kitchen produced by designer Lori Gilder.

31

A Serene Green

Renee DiSanto

In this muted, bungalow kitchen, design firm Park and Oak installed a petite wall sconce for some much-needed task lighting.

32

All-in-One

Michael Kaskel

To light up this open, versatile kitchen, KitchenLab Interiors installed a Sputnik chandelier as well as multi-pronged globe pendants.

33

Brooding Blue

Jack Thompson

To brighten up this moody blue kitchen, designer Nadia Palacios employed a pair of cylindrical brass lights.

34

Sputnik Style

Dustin Forest

Paying testament to the power of green and gold, designer Crystal Blackshaw selected an amber sputnik globe chandelier for this convivial kitchen.

35

Criss-Cross Chic

Catherine Nyugen Photography

A latticed drum pendant and rattan dining chairs imbue texture into this charming space designed by Kress Jack at Home.

Alicia Mies Alicia Mies is an editorial intern at Chairish, an online marketplace for vintage home decor.

50 lights designs to set the scene |

(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald/Sara Tramp)

Kitchen lighting ideas are an important part of any successful design scheme, with functional and aesthetic illumination particularly important in a space that is used increasingly for entertaining as much as cooking. 

Apart from its key function, lighting can have a transformative effect on your kitchen ideas from making the space look bigger to highlighting key pieces and creating a specific ambience.

Kitchens usually need to include task, mood and feature lighting. Task lighting is the most practical and covers hardworking areas like the prep space, cooking area and the sink; mood lighting creates different atmospheres and feature lighting is eye-catching and can simply introduce a bit of character.  

A layered approach to lighting will not just set the mood to your kitchen but bring interest and depth. Here are just some of the kitchen lighting ideas that can bring a new dimension to your kitchen.

Kitchen lighting ideas

Investing in a kitchen lights design that provides both effective task lighting and creates the perfect ambience is essential. These kitchen lighting ideas and expert advice will help you start that journey.

1. Mix up your fixtures, but keep it coherent 

(Image credit: Richard Felix-Ashman Design/Aaron Leitz)

As all kitchens will require multiple different types of lighting, consider exploring a multitude of kitchen lighting trends in your space by mixing and matching different fixtures.

‘Have fun with different shapes and shades, but if you’re mixing it up, stick to a theme or a core tone so that everything hangs together visually,’ says Tom Howley , Design Director of his eponymous kitchen design brand.

This principle is clear in this large barn conversion kitchen by Richard Felix-Ashman , where three differing styles of pendant, chandelier and wall lighting have been used over the counters, island and dining tables. All of them feature the color black with two sporting brass accents, with the entire scheme exploring a contemporary take on vintage styles. 

2. Add punch to a neutral scheme with feature lighting

(Image credit: Cathie Hong/Christy Q. Photography)

Not only can lighting fixtures make a big impact through their illumination power, but their form can often be the final piece of your kitchen design puzzle that brings everything together. 

The modern kitchen lighting ideas used in this San Francisco apartment by Cathie Hong see a pair of black and dark green pendant lights hang over an island in a kitchen that is largely colored with white and light oak. Along with the faucet, the lights create a standout contrast with their dramatically dark color, adding structure and a thoughtful design touch to the space. 

3. Use lighting to Illuminate texture to bring in depth  

(Image credit: Ray Main )

Choosing kitchen lighting set close to natural surfaces will play on light and shadow, enhancing texture and patination and bringing the materials to life.  

'To really maximize beautiful surfaces, select fittings that are low glare and provide discreet illumination,' says Luke Thomas, design director, John Cullen Lighting. 

'Recessed downlights or spotlights with frosted glass lenses create a diffuse light for a soft wash, while linear LEDs give a continuous, even glow. It’s critical to use lighting with excellent color rendering properties, CRI 95 is best, so materials, particularly natural materials, are seen in their true form without color warping or flat lifelessness.'

4. Consider a solo light to highlight a focal point 

(Image credit: Darren Chung)

A single designer light poised above an island unit can be all it takes to unite a scheme, inject elegance, and emphasise a focal point, especially in an open plan space. 

'If you’re going for one lone fitting, it should be scaled in proportion with the island. Not so big it overpowers, nor so small it looks lost in the space,' says Mike Fetherston, design director, Hetherington Newman. 'Position either centrally if the shape of the island suits, or above a bar seating area. The bottom of the pendant should be clear of head height, so at least 90cm above the worktop.'

5. Create a quirky feature with oversized lighting

(Image credit: Tiffany Leigh Design/Lauren Miller)

When thinking about how to plan kitchen lighting, don’t be afraid to go big at your kitchen’s heart. Daringly oversized lighting features are a great way to add character to a kitchen – just be sure to position them carefully. 

In this kitchen by Tiffany Leigh , oversized lampshades hang from the ceiling over the island – their positioning maximizes task lighting over the workspace, while also creating a widespread warm glow at the center of the room. Crucially, they are kept high enough not to interfere with the eyeline, and add a quirky touch thanks to their slightly surreal size. 

6. Incorporate reflective materials to bounce light around the room 

(Image credit: Liz Caan/Eric Roth)

When thinking about how much light your kitchen needs, it’s important to consider a balance of natural light and artificial light. One trick you can use to enhance both – day or night – is to incorporate reflective surfaces into your design. In this kitchen by Liz Caan , brass metallic accents glow in the sunlight, glass cabinet doors reflect light in the darker lower areas of the kitchen, while a mirror next to the window and a statement mirrored ceiling light creates a glistening jewel at the center of the room. 

7. Choose light fittings with a similar shape or finish to your kitchen furniture 

(Image credit: Caesarstone)

Sourcing kitchen lighting that shares a design dialogue with your kitchen furniture will help your scheme feel sophisticated and considered. Look for light fittings in similar shapes, thicknesses and, of course, coordinating finishes. 

Here, the horizontal bar of the pendant lights artfully align with the brass trim on the cabinetry behind. Warm metallic finishes can be particularly hard to match with accuracy, so do request samples to compare before you buy.

Ensure your brass items are either all lacquered or all unlacquered to retain uniformity. Lacquered will protect brass from tarnishing, while unlacquered allows gradual patination. If the taps you like don’t come in a matching brass, choose black, which goes with any metal.

8. Use wall lights as an alternative to downlights 

(Image credit: Maxwell Attenborough)

The presence of kitchen wall lighting ideas is growing, as the ‘fitted’ rigidity of wall units increasingly give way to relaxed open shelving. 

'Stylish kitchen wall lights are a great alternative to ceiling downlights and will add an extra design feature on emptier walls. Set on separate circuits, they are great for layering with overhead and task lighting. Alone, they will provide softer, ambient illumination in the evening,' says Rohan Blacker, founder, Pooky.

 Go for adjustable wall lights suitable for use with high wattage bulbs if they are to be used as task lighting. Connect to dimmer controls for extra flexibility. 

9.  Select lights that are in line with the kitchen island 

(Image credit: Mary Wadsworth)

When planning your kitchen lighting, few modern kitchen island or peninsula units feel complete without some form of stylish lighting above. Getting it right requires advance planning, especially on islands beyond two metres long. Determining what will happen on the island first will help plan where you need illumination. On longer surfaces it’s often better to target lighting above key points, like the prep area and breakfast bar, rather than line pendants up in equally spaced rows. 

'We like to aim for practicality but with some flair,' says Roundhouse designer Ben Hawkswell. 'This six-light pendant boasts great directional lighting for targeting work areas and its streamlined design maximises sightlines.'

(Image credit: deVOL)

The unexpected positioning of these pretty vintage pendants elevates their appeal. It also bears practical benefits, bringing the light source closer to the task in hand. The faded elegance and jewel-like colors of these antique glass pendants are unique, but the shades have been visually united using matching retro fittings. Individually, they may be small and dainty, but worked together they feel far bolder.  

'You can easily tire of statement lighting that dominates the kitchen,' says Helen Parker, creative director, deVOL Kitchens. 'Discreet and understated designs still catch our attention, but we don’t get bored of them so easily.' 

11. Introduce LED strips for clever ‘hidden’ lighting 

(Image credit: Kitchens Of Holloways)

A few LED strips can go a long way in the kitchen, bringing shelving to life and dialling the mood to relax. The most sophisticated solutions are completely hidden when the lights are off, which requires early discussions with your designer. 

'It is essential to ensure that the LED strips are properly set into recesses within the shelves or cabinetry,' explains Mark Holloway, managing director, Kitchens By Holloways. 'Angling them at 45 degrees, back towards the wall, will achieve the best lighting effect and prevent garish reflections or visible fittings.' Look for LEDs emitting warm light, around 2700k, for an inviting atmosphere.  

(Image credit: Fiona Lynch)

If you’re going for one statement light, make sure it’s a keeper by seeking out timeless design. This monochrome kitchen, created by Australian interior designer Fiona Lynch, is punctuated by Jean Prouvé's purist masterpiece for Vitra. Designed in the 1950s, its pared-back industrial lines still feel modern more than half a century later. We love how the tubular steel swing arm can be effortlessly moved between sink and breakfast bar. 

Similarly enduring lighting brands include Flos, Lampe Gras and Louis Poulsen. Find original examples at 1st Dibs. Modern productions of this industrial look can be found at Industville, Pooky and Holloway of Ludlow’s Old School Electric.

13. Blend modern and traditional styles 

(Image credit: Evens Architects/Windsor Smith/Karyn Millet)

Kitchen lighting isn’t just a practical necessity – when chosen with creativity, it can add an impactful twist to a room’s design scheme. For example, don’t be afraid to use them to blend the present with the past.  

In this kitchen by interior designer Windsor Smith , modern kitchen lighting is used to bring a contemporary edge to a kitchen with a firm foot in tradition. The coned fittings put a modern twist on the classic chandelier arrangement, much like how the slick, brushed brass cabinet handles update the paneled doors. 

14. Layer lighting in tall kitchens 

(Image credit: Rachael Smith/futurecontenthub.com)

When planning contemporary kitchen lighting, you may well need to think about covering the room vertically, as well as horizontally. Fitted downlighters will bring widespread light across the kitchen, but lower lighting may well be needed to bring focus into particular parts of the room. 

This is especially important if you’re working on a kitchen with high ceilings, where the diminished impact of downlighters mean you may want to add extra lighting closer to eye level. In this kitchen with a double height ceiling, low-hanging pendant lights are used over the island to bring more light into the food preparation area.  

15. Consider the rule of three

(Image credit: Smallbone)

There are three main types of lighting in a modern kitchen: task, mood and feature, and the most successful kitchen schemes include all three. 

Task lights are the brightest and target the working areas such as preparation surfaces, cooker and sink, while mood lighting, which is soft and diffused, is used to create ambience. 

Feature lighting can refer to the fitting itself, which makes a statement whether it is on or off, as in the kitchen above, or to something interesting like a color-changing system, in-cupboard illumination or plinth-level lighting, which adds an extra dimension but is not essential. 

‘Always opt for more light sources rather than brighter ones, and set decorative and mood lighting on dimmers, so they can be adjusted with ease,’ advises Giovanni Corrado of Baroncelli .

Another rule of three applied to kitchen lighting ideas? Three pendants over a kitchen island, rather than two or four. This is because odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye. 

16. Plan for an eye-catching kitchen lighting idea

(Image credit: Caesarstone)

One way to give your kitchen lighting ideas real impact is to pick a stand-out centerpiece that can sit over the island or dining table. It needn't provide anything but good ambient lighting, but making it dimmable is a bonus for adjusting the room's atmosphere when you need to.

Black track lights are also becoming increasingly popular, because they can provide plenty of light and add a little 1970s style. 

Jamie Blake, creative director of Blakes London , says, 'Use them in place of a pendant, or opt instead for a single pendant over the island, rather than a set. One large and spectacular pendant, perhaps suspended over the island to one side or over a breakfast bar, can look like a piece of art.'

17. Highlight a dining area with pendant lights 

(Image credit: Ginny Macdonald/Sara Tramp)

When considering how to choose kitchen lighting, it’s important to match the appropriate style to its location in the room. Adding extra light to a dining area is a great way to boost atmosphere and make sure your culinary creations look their best when served, and pendant lights hung from the ceiling do this while also creating an unmissable design feature. 

In this kitchen by designer Ginny Macdonald , pendants are used over both the island and the breakfast area. Their low hanging nature means they are always best used over a table or counter, where people aren’t going to walk underneath them. 

18. Give unique nooks dedicated lighting

(Image credit: Barbara Sallick/William Abranowicz)

Because life is never entirely straightforward, not every kitchen has four walls – especially in older buildings, you may find yourself with the odd nook or cranny that needs to be worked with. Recessed areas and alcoves can be great spaces to turn into dedicated areas for certain functions, but they can also end up being a little darker if tucked away from the room’s main lights. 

In this kitchen owned by Waterworks Co-Founder Barbara Sallick, an alcove has been turned into a bar area, deliberately lit with its own brass wall sconces to ensure home bartenders can work their magic with ease.

19. Double up in larger spaces 

(Image credit: Claudia Afshar Design/Meghan Bob Photography)

Big kitchens or an open plan kitchen needs big lighting plans – so don’t be afraid to double up on light fittings both horizontally and vertically. In this sprawling kitchen by Claudia Afshar , the light needed to be distributed across a counter, a breakfast bar and not one, but two islands. Afshar therefore chose to use both a multitude of downlighters fitted into the ceiling, as well as pendant lights over both islands to ensure every bit of the room is well lit. 

20. Choose pretty accent lamps that are practical too

(Image credit: Future)

‘Often, lighting can be the last thing considered in kitchen design,’ says Andrew Hall, managing director of Woodstock Furniture . 'However, for a kitchen to look its best and function well, the space must be lit properly.’

Experts agree that the best time to install a new lighting scheme is way back when you are still planning your kitchen, as you are signing off your kitchen layout ideas and drawings. Leave it until later and it becomes an after-thought with limited possibilities.

However adventurous you would like to be with your scheme, it’s crucial to establish your budget early. As a general rule, John Cullen recommends spending as much on your kitchen’s lighting as you do on the flooring.

21. Light under kitchen cabinetry to create a floating feel

(Image credit: Smallbone)

As the layout develops, start thinking about the lighting, not only for wiring purposes, but also so that you can problem solve as the plans unfold, says Blake. 

'For example, I would usually use LEDs under the wall cupboards to light the countertop. Without them, another lighting solution is required, so instead I might include kitchen wall lighting on swing arms that can be angled to suit.'

The kitchen lighting ideas above are incredibly practical, but they also highlight the exotic stone backsplashes and countertops, the floor and the shelving display, creating a floating feel that is perfect for enhancing space if you are looking for small kitchen lighting ideas.

22. Light inside cabinetry – and pantries

(Image credit: Humphrey Munson/ Paul Craig)

Consider practical lighting inside pantries, breakfast dressers and wall cupboards, ideally on switches that automatically turn on the light when the door is opened and off when shut, advises Blake.

Lighting inside glazed cabinets can be used to make a feature of glassware, while a simple table lamp on a console or dresser helps link kitchen with dining or living areas in an open plan room. 

'I rarely use plinth- or cornice-level lighting, because it isn’t usually necessary and can make a room look like a spaceship. There are exceptions, such as when a tall run of cabinetry stops short of the ceiling. Here, a soft glow of light could be used to illuminate a dark patch to create a balanced look.'

23. Add industrial accents

(Image credit: Martin Moore )

Industrial styles have become increasingly popular over recent years, with metallic accents and concrete surfaces cropping up more and more. These metal trapeze lights give this classic Tom Howley kitchen an urban edge.

24. Go for gold

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

Gold lights have incredible reflective properties and are ideal for bouncing light around the room. They are also a brilliant addition to darker kitchen color schemes, as they help to lift and lighten a room – as seen in this stunning Tom Howley kitchen.

25. Mix and match vintage finds

(Image credit: DeVOL)

This classic English kitchen by deVOL uses mismatching vintage-style pendants to create a totally unique lighting solution. Sometimes venturing back to previous eras works well – even in more contemporary kitchens.

26. Charm with a chandelier

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

Chandelier lights are brilliant for adding a sense of occasion to an entertaining space. 

What's more, not only do chandelier crystal droplets look visually pleasing, but they also shimmer and reflect light, casting it around the room – ideal if you're thinking of going bigger and bolder with your space, like in this gorgeous Tom Howley kitchen extension.  

27. Love linear lights

(Image credit: DeVOL)

Linear lights can be a great modern kitchen idea, as they are in-keeping with the streamline nature and clean lines typically found in them.

Whether it's a strip light or a parallel rows of spotlights, there are so many ways this linear look can be achieved - as seen in this gorgeous Sebastian Cox Kitchen by deVOL. It's also a great solution for kitchen island lighting.

28. Make your island shine bright

(Image credit: DeVOL)

One idea to add a little more drama to a kitchen is to showcase your island. A way to do this is to have pendant drop-down lights solely over your kitchen island and ceiling spotlights throughout the rest of the room. This means all the attention will be on this central hub - where you're most likely to be cooking and entertaining anyway.

This classic English kitchen by deVOL does exactly that.

(Image credit: DeVOL)

Exposed bulb lights have been everywhere the past few years and give an industrial look to a space. We love these bulb pendant lights in this deVOL real shaker kitchen.

30. Be an energy saver

(Image credit: Future/Richard Powers)

Incorporate LEDs at multiple levels to flood your kitchen in light, without costing the earth. LEDs are by far the most energy-efficient option, lasting at least 20,000 hours or ten years – they are a great way to incorporate more sustainable kitchen ideas into your space.

Look for those with warm color rendition to avoid a clinical feel. A 12W cluster LED spotlight compares in warmth and brightness to a 50W halogen spotlight.

31. Creat a dynamic trio

(Image credit: Tom Howley)

Boost the impact of statement pendants by arranging them in a row along the length of an island or table. As we said above, odd numbers work best; opt for three or five depending on the area.

32. Go to great lengths

(Image credit: Future/Richard Powers)

In a room with a high ceiling, lower-level pendants work especially well above an island or dining table, where they won’t cause an obstruction.

33. Put on a light show

(Image credit: Future/Mark Bolton)

'Never feel too compelled to have a light in the centre of a ceiling. Install several lights and ensure they are given specific tasks. If the dining table is likely to be in the corner of the kitchen, hang a pendant over there. It’s more functional and looks more considered,' says Busola Evans, Homes & Gardens' kitchen and bathroom supplement editor.

34. Add an arty installation

(Image credit: Future/Davide Lovatti)

Kitchen lighting should not just be thought of as purely practical. It can also be used to add a dynamic look to your kitchen. Contemporary fittings like these striking pendants in mismatched styles, provide a design feature that captures the imagination, a great option for kitchen ceiling ideas.

35. Get the wall factor

(Image credit: Future/Paul Raeside)

'The perfect height of lights depends on two factors: the height of the people living in the house and the height of the ceilings. Wall lights work well in a small kitchen, especially ones with little natural light,' says Kenny Collins, chairman of The Lighting Store .

36. Show off star quality

(Image credit: Future/Mark Bolton)

The saying 'go big or go home' might be the mantra of youth, but it certainly rings true for the kitchen. 

'There’s a real trend for architectural lighting in kitchens right now, like big pendants with several arms, and they make a real statement. Ensure that they hang at least 2m above the island or table,' explains Sarah Spiteri, editorial director of Homes & Gardens.

37. Create the ultimate showstopper

(Image credit: Future/Jonathan Gooch)

A good, well-thought-out lighting scheme can make all the difference in a kitchen. 'Match the style of your light fittings to your kitchen – interesting light fittings will stop your kitchen looking overly clinical. 

'Prismatic glass and bone china work wonderfully in country style kitchens, metallic pendants give an industrial flavor, and brightly-painted pendants bring an often-needed pop of color,' enthuses Peter Bowles, managing director of Original BTC and Davey Lighting.

38. Install an eye-catching modern lighting centerpiece

(Image credit: Lanserring )

Lanserring has hit upon the most perfect kitchen island lighting with this fabulous fitting. 

Designed to create ambient lighting, its main role in this room is to draw attention to the modern kitchen island and to give the kitchen a living room appeal, rather than to provide practical task lighting.

39. Make the best use of downlights

(Image credit: Future)

Dimmable ceiling downlights are a popular solution for general lighting in a modern kitchen, says Jamie Blake, creative director of Blakes London . 

'Turn them right up when you want to clean the room, dim them right down when you want a softer mood. 

'While it may help to start by drawing up a grid of downlights to create an even spread of light, remember that you may need to adjust it to accommodate things like steel joists, skylights, TV screens and so on. Nor do you want to put a downlight right next to a pendant or hard up against a wall cabinet.  Use the grid merely as a starting point that you can modify to suit your space.'

40. Layer light

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

A complex room, such as a living-kitchen, will demand different light levels for a range of activities. 

In the kitchen idea shown above, track lighting washes walls with soft light by evening and has more focused spots, pendants and task lighting where needed.

‘There is nothing worse than a dimly lit work area,’ says Melissa Klink, Head of Design at Harvey Jones . ‘Make sure to position spotlights or pendants directly above key areas to ensure the light isn’t blocked when you stand at the sink, hob or work top.’

41. Tackle task lighting

(Image credit: Day True)

Task lighting can be discreet and hidden under wall cupboards or shelving, but you can also make a feature of it with designer kitchen wall lighting ideas that can be angled to direct brightness where it is needed.

42. Consider low light sources

(Image credit: DSL)

LED strips provide a soft low light that is useful for backlighting backsplashes and shelving, but they can also be useful for directing traffic through the kitchen space.  

It’s human nature to gravitate towards light, so put a subtle glow beneath a counter with bar-style seating to encourage guests to pull up a seat.

43. Light the inside of cabinetry

(Image credit: Cesar)

The kitchen trend for glass-fronted cabinetry brings display back into the kitchen and an opportunity to create pockets of soft diffused light that can create a focal point and brighten darker corners of the room.

44. 'Wash' cabinetry with lighting

(Image credit: Holloways of Ludlow)

Use spots, track lighting and uplights to wash surfaces with soft reflective light.

‘Never place downlights in a grid,’ advises Sally Storey of John Cullen Lighting. ‘Place them only where light is required as part of your lighting scheme. Use a low glare directional downlight to direct light to wash the front of your kitchen units – it will also light inside your cupboards when they are open.’

(Image credit: Lighting scheme by Sian Baxter. )

Wondering how to plan kitchen lighting? Lighting design is a specialist field and a good designer will be able to balance a range of sources into a cohesive scheme to enhance your space. 

In this contemporary kitchen, designer Sian Baxter has used almost entirely ceiling lighting, choosing different forms to provide task, general and ambient light. She didn’t want two sets of pendant lights so used recessed ceiling lighting to cleverly mirror the shape of the island.

46. Create light reflections

(Image credit: Wren)

The bulb is just one part of the story – the surfaces the light falls upon are just as influential. Pale colors and reflective surfaces will amplify the glow, while dark shades absorb light, dampening it, which can be advantageous when creating mood. 

When designing a modern kitchen, consider pale countertops in a darker kitchen – especially in the prep zones – or at least opt for large, pale chopping boards.

47. Light beyond your modern kitchen

(Image credit: Harvey Jones)

Skylights and walls of glass offer stunning natural light and a great view by day but they can turn into black holes at night.  

Think about running strip LEDs in skylight recesses and consider good outdoor lighting ideas to create a light show in the garden beyond the glass.

48. Choose discreet modern kitchen lighting ideas

(Image credit: Buster+Punch)

Spotlights aren’t the only solution for directional light. The Exhaust light from Buster + Punch has a smart tubular design that is available in a choice of two colors for the powder-coated casing and four metallic options for the trim.

49. Use modern kitchen lighting to play with room proportions 

(Image credit: Tala)

A large room with a high ceiling will be crying out for a generous modern kitchen light fitting to fill that space. 

The trend is for clusters of organic shapes made from mouth-blown glass, and for modern molecular lighting with multiple bulbs on multiple arms, shining their light in all directions. Install over an island or dining table to create a focal point.

What type of lighting is best for kitchens?

Most residential lighting is now LED, as it is energy-efficient and long-lasting. It is also compact, so you can buy tiny lamps on a flexible strip to run along shelf edges and under counters and plinths, which can significantly lighten the look of a hefty island.

LED downlights have replaced the halogen bulbs of old. Look for directional options that let you shine light where you need it. Broadly, there are four types of lighting to consider: task lighting to illuminate countertops, sink and hob; general lighting to give overall brightness; ambient lighting to add a soft glow to sociable spaces, and decorative lighting to create focal points and display areas.

What's trending in kitchen lighting?

Controllability is key. ‘Lighting is the most important element to bear in mind when zoning in a kitchen,’ explains Tom Howley, design director of Tom Howley. 

‘Spotlights in the ceiling should always be dimmable, so you can adjust the mood in the kitchen when you have guests. Task lighting is essential over the most used worktop areas. This is key when prepping food in the evening, allowing you to keep the atmosphere relaxed elsewhere with the dimmable lights. ’

John Butler, designer at Elements Kitchen Design agrees: ‘Increasingly, our clients are opting for self-adjusting lighting systems that activate in response to the amount of natural light available, ensuring the balance of lighting is always right.'

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

Lighting in the kitchen: 30 ideas with photos, types, pros and cons

Not only chandeliers are used to illuminate the kitchen space. It is much more convenient and practical to single out several lighting zones and place lamps of different types in them. Such lighting in the kitchen is functional and beautiful. It provides each zone with enough light and decorates the interior. We offer several interesting options for placing LED backlight and instructions for installing it.

All about lighting in the kitchen

Types of lighting
Tape
Spots
Pros and cons of LEDs
Ideas and ways to place lighting fixtures
— For the new headset
— For a functioning kitchen
How to choose fixtures for lighting
How to mount the backlight yourself
— LED strip
— LED panel

Most often, LEDs are chosen for arranging the backlight. These are bright durable lighting fixtures that are available in different versions. Let's briefly characterize each of them.

Tape

Represents a thin long base on which small lamps are fixed. Their diameter and the distance between them can be different. The tape gives glare-free uniform illumination, which can be of different colors. Monochrome products shine only in one color, multi-color products can change the shade. According to the degree of security, there are several types of tapes.

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Luminaires

LED spotlights differ in design and mounting method. Let's briefly describe each type.

Furniture overlays

Mounted on a wooden grate or metal bar, which is fixed to the furniture. They can be rotated, thereby directing the light. It is easy to dismantle and install in a new place.

Pixabay

Pixabay

Panel

LED-panel consists of several LEDs mounted on a bar. From above it is covered with a diffuser. Such panels are superimposed on the selected place and fixed with self-tapping screws. Give diffused soft light, serve for a long time. The photo shows an example of such a lamp.

Pixabay

Pixabay

Outdoor hanging

Mounted on special hangers. Good for kitchens with high ceilings and massive cabinets. Can be fixed on the ceiling surface.

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Inset

They are also called recessed spots. Mounted not only in the ceiling, but also in kitchen cabinets. They are fixed in special platforms with the help of spring-loaded wire cases. They come in different shapes, are installed in doors or cabinet covers, niches near furniture, ceiling

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LED lamps, as they are also called, are especially in demand in lighting arrangements. This is no coincidence, because they have a number of significant advantages. Let's list them.

Pros

Cons

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There are many options for placing additional light sources. Let's list some of them.

These solutions can be implemented in different ways. Let's analyze ideas on how to equip the kitchen with lighting for the working area and cabinets for a new and already used headset.

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For the new headset

At the design stage of the headset, it is easier to solve the problem of additional lighting. A good option would be a built-in system, under which it is easy to equip seats in the furniture manufacturing process. And it is best to choose not spots, but a tape. Downlights are good for ceilings because they emit a "beam" of light. At a great distance from the surface, it has time to dissipate. If the distance, for example, to the countertop, is small, the light will be too harsh, unpleasant for the eyes.

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Lighting at the bottom of the cabinets is also better done built-in. It is not difficult to choose which lighting is best for the kitchen under the cabinets. Embedded spots look like bright dots, the luminous flux from them is sharp, not the most pleasing to the eye. Tape in this case is preferable. It is directed strictly down, it shines softly. Visually it looks like a continuous line. To illuminate the countertop, lighting fixtures are fixed in the center of the bottom of the cabinet or closer to the doors. You can also fix them at the junction of the furniture and the wall or in the corner, but then the illumination of the countertop will be lower.

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ShutterStock

An interesting and practical idea is a kitchen apron lamp. To do this, an LED strip is mounted on a special metal profile along the perimeter of the glass apron. When turned on, the light flux is directed inside the glass plate, and the apron becomes a bright lamp. It is enough for normal tabletop lighting.

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ShutterStock

For the existing kitchen

If the furniture is already assembled and has even been used for some time, LED lighting for the kitchen under cabinets or above the work area can also be installed. They just do it a little differently. Overhead lighting would be a good solution. For example, LED panels of the required length. They are mounted on several screws, plugged into an outlet. There are models designed for flush mounting. They are assembled in a common line, only the last lamp is connected.

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ShutterStock

For decorating cabinet bottoms, interiors, shelves, corners, etc. self-adhesive LED strip works well. It is flexible, fits on the elements of any shape. The compact system looks almost like built-in. An important point: for areas located near the stove or sink, only sealed products with a high degree of protection are chosen.

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It is important that the lighting is comfortable and pleasing to the eye. This is especially true for LED lighting of the working area for the kitchen. Excessive brightness is useless, but a lack of light is not needed either. There should not be a sharp contrast with poorly lit areas, otherwise the eyes will be very uncomfortable. Choose lighting fixtures, focusing on several criteria.

In addition, you have to select how the light will be switched on. You can put a conventional switch or provide for the activation of the system from the remote control or from the motion sensor.

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Assembling kitchen lighting with your own hands is not so difficult. Let's look at the possible options.

Installation of self-adhesive LED strip

We have prepared a useful instruction for mounting the LED strip on the bottom of the cabinet.

  1. Measure the correct amount of tape. Cut the fragment exactly according to the marks applied to the product, showing the permitted area for the cut.
  2. Sand the edge of the piece about one and a half centimeters from the silicone.
  3. Solder two mounting wires to the stripped end of the diode segment: one positive, the other negative. Crimp the free ends of the wires with NShVI tips.
  4. Insulate the soldering area with heat shrink tubing or electrical tape.
  5. Clean and degrease the area where the tape will be mounted.
  6. Remove the protective film from the reverse side of the diode product, stick the fragment on the prepared place.
  7. Install the power supply in a cabinet or other moisture-proof location. Connect a diode strip to it: the positive wire to the "plus" terminal, the negative wire to the "minus" terminal.
  8. Route the cable from the switch to the power supply and connect it.

The backlight is ready to use. Similarly, they mount the diode tape in other areas: on the top or bottom of kitchen cabinets, in niches, in corners, etc.

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ShutterStock

Installing the LED panel

Choose the right size luminaire. It is best to choose a model with a built-in switch, then it does not have to be connected separately. The LED panel is mounted on self-tapping screws or glued on double-sided tape. In the first case, the lamp and the ceiling are removed from the base, after which it is fixed with self-tapping screws in the chosen place. Then put the lamp and ceiling. It is not necessary to disassemble the lamp for gluing. The adhesive tape is first glued to the base, then the protective film is removed from its second side and the device is glued.

Material prepared by

Inna Yasinovskaya

best design ideas (68 photos). Kitchen lighting with LED strip

The design of any room includes quality lighting. The kitchen is no exception. If you distribute the light fluxes correctly and conveniently, then cooking in such a kitchen will be a joy. To achieve this, lighting needs to be designed and calculated. Modern kitchen interiors have increasingly recently included the insertion of diode strips.

LEDs are semiconductors that emit light when electrical energy passes through them. They come in a variety of chemical composition, due to which they have a different degree of brightness. The LED strip in the kitchen is never mounted directly, as overheating and breakage can occur due to this. A stabilizer is a prerequisite for connecting diodes.

Advantages and disadvantages of LED lighting (table)

Why are diodes convenient in the kitchen?

  1. Diodes can be used to zone various elements of a room, highlight cabinets, niches and shelves.
  2. Highlight decorative elements.
  3. If you highlight a kitchen backsplash with them, especially a glass one, it will look very impressive.
  4. They can distinguish stained glass.
  5. If you illuminate the bottom of the bedside tables with them, you will create the effect of furniture, as if frozen in the air.
  6. If your ceiling is made in several levels, then each of these levels can also be highlighted, which will create a beautiful view.
  7. If you highlight the bar counter, you will create the effect of a real bar.

Thus, it turns out that the use of LED lighting in the kitchen will create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the kitchen area. Although the cost of such lighting can cost a pretty penny, it will soon pay off in that there will be big savings on electricity.

Classic interiors are most often illuminated with warm shades, while high-tech style involves the use of cold lighting.

Photo gallery: Kitchen lighting with LEDs

Cabinet lighting from above Working area lighting Shelf lighting Illuminated bar counter "Soaring" furniture
Color options that LED lighting can have

lighting.

They are divided into types:


To purchase the LED strip you need, you need to clearly understand what kind of lighting you would like to see as a result. There are a couple of recommendations for this:

Power supply selection

Power supply variant

Power supply units can be of different capacities and therefore sizes. The main thing when choosing a unit is to determine the power of the transformer, which should work with a margin, but not very large. Let's look at an example of a calculation with certain parameters to make it easier for you to calculate the power that you need. It is necessary to calculate the block power for a SMD 5050 tape 5 meters long, whose power is 12 W:

  1. 12(W) * 5(m) = 60 W
  2. 1.25 (required safety factor) * 60 = 75 W.
  3. 75 W is the power of the transformer that is needed in this case.

How to illuminate the countertop, dining area

In order to illuminate the work area, as mentioned earlier, you can use LEDs with an average level of moisture protection. This is enough to protect the elements from exposure to steam, dirt and other things. Such lamps can even be subjected to wet cleaning.

A special aluminum profile is attached to the table so that the tape is attached to the table surface. The profile is necessary to hide the wires and give the light elasticity. Tapes are also self-adhesive.

By using additional accessories, you can make the backlight change brightness and/or color.

Warm white is ideal for lighting up your desktop. Such lighting most accurately conveys the true color of the food.

The use of LEDs as additional lighting also requires protection against moisture. Fairly average. Tapes are installed using double-sided tape.

Instruments for installation

How to install the tape yourself


Before attaching the tape, the surface must be well cleaned and degreased!

Do not press the tape too tightly at once, so that later it will be possible to trim it in case of uneven gluing.

Connecting a diode strip of the same color with a dimmer

The dimmer regulates, i.e. reduces or increases the brightness of the diode strip. In addition, it turns on and off this very diode tape.

There are currently two types of dimmers:

  1. Ribbon with one color is controlled from the remote control.
  2. Tape with one color is controlled by a potentiometer (switch, ordinary knob for incandescent lamps)

Both of the above options are connected according to the same scheme

Video: How to make LED lighting for the kitchen work area yourself

LED lighting is a big breakthrough in lighting areas. They will perfectly complement your interior and serve you well. Their variety will allow you to choose exactly the one you would like. Durability will give you a chance to save more money than you spend on their purchase. And fixing them yourself will not be difficult, and they will delight you for a very long time. Light to you and good luck!


In order to make the lighting in the kitchen under the cabinets with your own hands, you first need to decide where exactly it will be located, and which lamps for this zone will be the most optimal.

Illumination of the lower cabinets in the kitchen

Illumination of the kitchen under the cabinets can mean both the illumination of the working area under the hanging furniture and the illumination of the floor under the lower cabinets. First, consider the second lighting option.

The so-called "floating cabinets" look very attractive and aesthetically pleasing in the interior of the kitchen. Such an unusual effect is easy to achieve with the help of an LED strip placed under the bottom of the kitchen set.

To install this backlight you will need:

  1. Carefully consider the electrical wiring so that the wires do not stick out all over the kitchen and are hidden out of the reach of children.
  2. A transformer is required for the operation of the LED strip, therefore a secluded place should also be allocated for it.
  3. LED strips can be used to illuminate lower cabinets, both open and closed. In the first case, it is worth choosing a tape with an increased degree of moisture protection IP 65 or IP 68, since the likelihood of moisture getting on the tape body is very high in this part of the kitchen.
  4. Before you go to the store for LED strip, you need to decide on the color scheme of the bulbs and the required brightness. Professionals recommend taking SMD35x28 LEDs for lower illumination. Their power will be enough for these purposes.

There is one caveat! For a kitchen with a glossy floor, it is better to choose closed lamps, since open LEDs, reflected in the mirror surface of the floor, will hit the eyes.

In order to install LED lighting in the kitchen under the lower cabinets with your own hands, you will need the following tools:

DIY LED strip installation steps:

  1. At the required piece of tape, the end contacts must be exposed by 1-1.5 cm.
  2. Solder two cables to them and insulate them with electrical tape.
  3. Before attaching the tape, the surface must be degreased.
  4. If the tape is mounted without a lamp, it is enough just to remove the protective film from it and stick it to the furniture. If the LEDs are closed, the tape must first be attached to a protective strip or profile. And then the profile, together with the tape, is attached to the bottom of the cabinet using double-sided tape.
  5. By soldering, the tape must be connected to the transformer, and it in turn to the plug.
  6. All joints must be treated with electrical tape.
  7. All wires, together with the power supply, are hidden in a specially designated place so as not to spoil the picture.

Here are some tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes:

Work area lighting in the kitchen

Unlike floor lighting, a wide variety of different luminaires can be used to illuminate the work area. Almost all of them are mounted quite easily and do not require special knowledge and skills.

Do-it-yourself overhead lighting in the kitchen under cabinets can be done using the following lighting fixtures:

  1. Uniform light
  2. Easy to install
  3. Economy
  4. Cheap

This type of lighting is quite easy to install. Lamps should only be attached using a special mount to the wall or to a pre-designated hole in the furniture above the work surface. That's all! You can turn on the lamp in the network.

  1. Mortise - the location of such lamps must be planned at the stage of the kitchen sketch, since they require special recesses and space inside the cabinet for themselves and the transformer.
  2. - easily attached directly to the surface of the cabinet, but powered by the mains.
  3. Modular - can be used in any part of the kitchen set, and does not require electrical power.

For uniform illumination of the work surface, it is recommended to place spotlights at a distance of 0.5 meters from each other.

Neon tubes are glass or plastic tubes filled with an inert gas. The ends of the tubes are powered by electricity. Such tubes work with the help of a transformer. The service life of the tube is about 12 years, but the transformer is smaller, therefore, during installation, you need to leave access to the power supply to replace it if necessary.

Duralights - flexible silicone hose with incandescent or LED bulbs inside. The service life of incandescent lamps is up to 1 year, but LED duralights will last much longer.
As a rule, such lighting devices are more used as decor in the kitchen, since it is difficult to call them a source of lighting. Mounting tape can be used to fasten neon tubes and duralights under cabinets in the kitchen.

All you need is desire, time and a visual aid.

When organizing lighting in the kitchen, it is most important to ensure sufficient illumination of the work area, where the main actions for cutting and cooking take place. This can be achieved with minimal cost and energy savings if you place the lamps directly in the work area - this is more economical than lighting for the kitchen above the cabinets. The easiest way to do this is to attach lighting elements to the bottom of kitchen cabinets.

Lighting can be implemented in several ways, to choose the best one, you should familiarize yourself with the types of lighting elements and methods of mounting on the bottom surface of kitchen cabinets.

Under cabinet lighting is one of the many kitchen lighting options that is economical and practical. Illumination of the working area in the kitchen can be done in different ways: install lamps on a kitchen apron or hide behind it if transparent glass is used, or you can attach lighting elements to the bottom of wall cabinets.

Illumination for the kitchen under cabinets is used more often and can be of the following types.

Spot lights

There are two types of spotlights: surface-mounted and built-in, recessed ones are used to illuminate the bottom of the kitchen set.

One of the simplest options for organizing spot lighting at the bottom of a kitchen set is gluing compact lamps with battery-powered motion sensors. But, this pleasure is quite expensive and not very convenient from a practical point of view (requires periodic replacement of batteries).

Spotlights use incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, LED lamps. Since their design involves embedding in furniture, and conventional analogues have a height of more than 50 mm, installation problems arise, especially since the height of luminaires with incandescent lamps can reach up to 100 mm.

It is impractical to use incandescent lamps to illuminate the bottom of kitchen cabinets, not only because of their high height, but also because of the high heat during operation and low efficiency.

When installing a conventional halogen lamp on the bottom of kitchen cabinets, you will have to make an additional shelf inside the cabinet at a height of at least 50 mm. from the bottom of the cabinet (double bottom) to hide the lamp bases and mounting wires under it.

The second way is to install an additional panel under the cabinets, in which the lamps will be mounted. The option is more acceptable (the bottom of the kitchen cabinets will not be damaged in case of redevelopment, and the space itself inside will remain the same).

Currently, round LED panels are produced with a thickness of no more than 20 mm. It is convenient to build them into the bottom of the cabinets, but you will have to close the top of the fixtures with a shelf - this will take up much less free space inside than using incandescent or halogen lamps.

The disadvantage of all LED lamps is the need to use a separate power supply for 12 V. (rarely 24 V.). In this case, it will have to be placed inside the cabinet or on top, the latter being the more practical way.

The best option for organizing spot lighting for the bottom of cabinets is its design and implementation at the stage of making a custom-made kitchen set, and not an independent installation after purchase.

Socket GX53

Designed with a modern GX53 lamp base, it has a low height and is most suitable for being built into the bottom of the headset. The luminaires used in the base have a flat shape and are available in two types: energy-saving (luminescent) and LED.

They are easy to install and remove from the socket, and due to the surface of the lamps protruding a few millimeters beyond the plane of the base, they provide a large angle of illumination.

Surface and spotlights

Although it does not look very aesthetically pleasing, but tastes differ - some homeowners use overhead lights or spotlights to illuminate the work area - sources of directional lighting.

The spots provide not only directional lighting in the kitchen under the cabinets, but also the ability to adjust the intensity of lighting thanks to a special control controller and design features.

Usually, a long bracket (railing) is attached to the bottom of the cabinets, on which a row of lamps is placed - the design makes up a single ensemble and looks quite interesting in the interior.

The installation of surface-mounted luminaires is quite simple, but inferior in aesthetics and functionality to built-in ones. In addition, when they are placed at the bottom of the cabinets, there are problems with the power cable, which, as in the case of built-in lamps, will have to be hidden somewhere. Its external connection will not look aesthetically pleasing; to hide inside the cabinets, it is more practical to use not a double bottom, but an ordinary plastic box for external laying of electrical wires.

Light bars

A budget option that uses tubular fluorescent lamps with mounting hardware attached to the bottom of the cabinets. The devices are quite easy to install, the lamps are inexpensive and have a fairly long service life, but they have a significant drawback of all fluorescent devices - a long turn-on time.

An ordinary installed fluorescent lamp does not look very nice, so the industry produces special furniture lamps in a rather aesthetic case with a protective panel.

Light bars - one of the simplest and cheapest options

LED backlight

LED lighting for kitchen cabinets is currently the best option for lighting the working area of ​​the kitchen due to the following properties:

You can mount the LED strip under wall cabinets by simple gluing, or place it in a special aluminum box with protective frosted glass. Aluminum boxes are available in the usual straight or corner versions, which allow not only to avoid possible peeling of the tape, but also to protect its surface from dirt and soot settling, and also provide an additional cooling system.

A significant drawback of LED lighting is the need to use a separate control unit and 12 V power supply. These devices are of medium overall dimensions and require thoughtful placement when installing the tape.

When mounting on the bottom of kitchen cabinets, these elements can be placed inside the cabinet, but it is more practical to put them on top. This will allow them to be connected directly to the upper power line (usually a kitchen hood is connected in this place), and the wire to be lowered behind the back wall of the cabinets and connected directly to the LED strip.

Conclusion

There are several ways to illuminate the working area in the kitchen by installing lamps on the bottom surface of kitchen cabinets.

The most budget option is the implementation of fluorescent lighting using tubular lamps. Installation of fittings for their installation is quite simple, the power wire can be passed inside the cabinets by placing it in a plastic box.

When installing spotlights, it is more practical to use modern models with a Gx53 base. Such devices have the smallest height and a wide angle of illumination, the lamps are inserted and removed by a simple twist in the cartridge. The device can use LED and energy-saving types of lamps.

Do-it-yourself organization of this type of lighting requires carpentry, special tools, and the purchase of additional materials, which is somewhat difficult at home. Therefore, the best lighting for kitchen cabinets can be implemented at the stage of manufacturing a custom-made kitchen.

A more modern way of organizing lighting is to use LED strip. In addition to the greatest durability and cost-effectiveness, lighting in the kitchen under the cabinets can be the easiest way to do it yourself. To do this, you need to glue the LED strip, connect the control and power unit to the electrical network and solder the wire leaving them to the end of the LED strip.

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. People spend a lot of time on it: they cook, eat, read a newspaper with a cup of coffee, etc. The significance of this room is great, so when arranging it, it is very important to choose all the details of the interior with special attention. Illumination of the working area in the kitchen requires a carefully thought-out approach. Places such as a sink, hob, countertop are most often left in the shade. This is mainly due to the fact that hanging cabinets and an extractor hood are located above them. This is what leads to some discomfort during use. The solution to the problem is quite simple - beautiful LED lighting of the working area of ​​the kitchen.

Common types of lighting

Choosing lighting for the working area in the kitchen

In order to correctly position the lighting fixtures, you need to familiarize yourself with some nuances. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the level arrangement. As a rule, there are 5 levels in the kitchen:

  1. The first level is ceiling. Both pendant chandeliers and various compositions of spotlights can be used. Their location should take into account certain and working. For the first option, chandeliers are ideal. They will give harmony and comfort to the kitchen space. And for the working area, spotlights are good, which will cope well enough with the lighting.
  2. The second level is the upper area of ​​wall cabinets. If the furniture design has a special cornice, then the ideal option would be to install spots, you can also use rotary lights. Their advantage is mobility, if necessary, such devices are deployed in a certain direction. This is what allows you to qualitatively illuminate that part of the working area that is needed at the moment.
  3. Third level - bottom of cabinets. Here, the illumination of the working area in the kitchen can be varied. These are LED strips, fluorescent lamps, spots, etc. As a rule, only personal preferences are guided in this matter.
  4. Fourth level - worktop. For this part of the work area, only waterproof LED strips are suitable.
  5. Fifth level - floor. The lower part of the tables is decorated in the same way as the table top.

It is worth noting that the LED strip is ideal for installation at all levels.

What are the lighting options?

Most effective solutions:


Examples of kitchen decoration with LED lighting

  1. Skinali is the most common and successful option.
  2. Complicated ceiling structure with several levels of LED lamps installed in different light.
  3. Combination of light sources such as chandeliers, spotlights and LED strip.
  4. The effect of floating furniture is achieved by installing special lighting on the bottom of the tables.
  5. Additional light sources are recommended near the glass and mirror inserts. This will not only decorate the space, but also visually increase its size.
  6. Kitchen worktop and work area lighting with lamps and LED strips.
  7. Parallel distribution of sources is ideal, eg at the top and bottom of cabinets.
  8. In the case of a glass top, you can use a specific color LED strip. In combination with skinali, the effect will be stunning.

In fact, there are many more such options, the use of LEDs to illuminate the kitchen space allows you to widely use your imagination and experiment.

How are LEDs arranged? How they work

LEDs are semiconductors and emit light when connected to electricity. Depending on the chemical composition, its brightness and saturation change. Do not connect directly to the network, as this will lead to overheating and the LED will burn out. It is recommended to use a special device that stabilizes the voltage in the network - a stabilizer. LEDs come in infrared, ultraviolet, yellow, white and other colors. Among themselves, they differ in the type of glow, size and number of crystals.

LED lighting: advantages

  1. Significant energy savings.
  2. Resistant to mechanical damage.
  3. LED work area lighting in the kitchen in a variety of colors.
  4. Environmentally friendly.
  5. Models available with enhanced moisture protection.
  6. Long service life: 15-20 years.
  7. Bright but soft light.
  8. Reasonable price.

Worktop lighting

When designing a kitchen, it is important to fully illuminate the worktop area, as this is where a lot of work needs to be done. However, when choosing devices, it is worth considering the specificity of its location. The countertop is constantly under the influence of water, grease, soot and other dirt. Therefore, it is very important to choose LED strips with certain technical characteristics. There are models that have a special layer, it is he who will protect the lamp from moisture, vaporization and pollution.

There are several types of LED lighting fixtures. The most common:


In order for the working area in the kitchen to please the owners for a long time, when installing it, you must follow these rules:

  1. The power of the tape and the power supply must be the same.
  2. Contacts are best connected with a soldering iron.
  3. It is only permitted to cut the tape in the area with signed "+/-" contacts.
  4. A dimmer is recommended for dimming.
  5. When connecting the tape, the contacts must be completely insulated, that is, they must not touch each other at all.

Illumination of the working area in the kitchen: installation of tape

  1. Measurements are taken using a tape measure.
  2. The required length is cut off from the tape with a margin of 1-1.5 cm to free the contacts.
  3. The surface must be completely degreased before gluing.
  4. Solder pieces of cable to the contacts, then connect to the power supply.
  5. It is necessary to install a profile and a special box in which the remaining wires will be hidden.
  6. A switch is installed and connected to the LED strip.

The cost-effectiveness, versatility and durability of this backlight puts it at the forefront. However, she also has a weak point - the power supply. It is worth noting that it often fails, so it must be installed in a place where it will be enough to simply replace it with a new one or make repairs.

The kitchen in most cases is considered the main room in the house, so it is very important to arrange the right lighting in it, which can meet all the needs of the family.

It is better to use hermetic LED strips to illuminate the kitchen set, because they can be exposed to the negative effects of moisture, steam, and various contaminants.

Most often, LED lighting in the kitchen is used to divide the space. The tape can be easily divided into separate segments, and therefore it is possible to arrange functional areas in different colors. This device appeared relatively recently, but it fits well into antique interiors. In most cases, you can find stationary and remote control of the LED strip.

This type of tape is a semiconductor device that generates optical radiation by passing electricity in the forward direction. The light that propagates will be in a narrow spectral range. Its standard characteristics will depend on the chemical composition of the conductors used. Such devices used to be quite expensive.

The LED strip is an ecological, inexpensive, durable and strong fixture.

The main advantages of LED strip:

  1. It is possible to achieve good light output. Illumination of this type in the kitchen in this parameter can be compared with a halogen or gas discharge lamp.
  2. There are no sensitive components in such a tape, and therefore the device is quite durable and resistant to vibrations.
  3. You can use such a device for 20-30 years, provided that the backlight in the kitchen will work for about 8 hours a day. Please be aware that the brightness may gradually decrease if the backlight is operated in conditions of insufficient cooling.
  4. This device has a small inertia, so you can turn on the tape as brightly as possible without any delay. For other designs, this interval can be from 1 second to 1 minute.
  5. The number of on and off cycles does not at all affect the possible period of operation of the LED strip, which cannot be said about other devices.
  6. Similar structures are relatively inexpensive.
  7. A high level of environmental friendliness, which is achieved due to the absence of such harmful elements as phosphorus, mercury, and so on.
  8. An additional advantage is the safety of use. This is ensured by the absence of high voltage and the relatively low temperature of such tapes.

Lighting helps to emphasize individual elements in the kitchen or visually expand them.

The decoration uses LED strips to light up the kitchen, as well as special devices that are equipped with many small light bulbs.

The last option is the most common, because it helps to emphasize individual elements or visually expand them.

Lighting can be mounted on top of a wall cabinet or at the bottom of a floor cabinet.

The top of the wall cabinet will not be exposed to any external influence, so an open type tape may be suitable in this case. Then the LED lighting can be connected directly to the hood.

Similar constructions are coated with silicone during production.

The protective layer of silicone will protect the LED bulbs from liquids, and will also make it possible to clean them with a damp cloth if necessary.

Prefabricated luminaires

Linear LED luminaires are easy to connect.

There are also ready-made luminaires with LED bulbs, which are installed in transparent or matte shades. They are easy enough to install. To fix them to the wall, you do not need to have any special skills.

Linear luminaires, for example, can have different sizes and quality of screens. To hide the LED bulbs safely from the eyes, it is recommended to purchase fixtures of 30, 60 and 100 cm.

If it is not possible to choose a ready-made luminaire, an aluminum profile can be used to place the LED strip in it.

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Schematic of kitchen lighting options.

  1. If you place the device along the perimeter of the cabinet in the upper and lower parts, you can get lightness and airiness in the room.
  2. If there are open shelves in the kitchen, then the backlight can look good, which is fixed on their surface, where the side base is fixed.
  3. In rooms where there are glass tops, another technique can be used - spot lighting of the workspace. In this case, the lamps will need to be placed under the cover of the bedside tables.
  4. LED strip is often installed along the perimeter of the walls (near the floor or ceiling). If there is a glossy floor covering, then the devices can be placed flush with the bottom of the cabinets.
  5. In the kitchen, which is made in a classic style, cabinets can be illuminated internally. You can focus on specific elements of the scenery.

If you want to make the lighting in the kitchen with your own hands, it is important to understand that it is better to use cool colors for a modern interior, and warm colors for a classic one.

Today, LED strips are often installed inside cabinets. It is best to use touch-sensitive furniture lights for this, which are able to respond to the opening and closing of the door. In this way, you can create beautiful spot lighting. On sale there are special sensors that respond to movement. When used, the lights inside the nightstands and drawers will turn on and off.

Light sources in the kitchen: natural, spotlights and a chandelier.

Infrared switches, which are designed for non-contact action, can also be purchased from specialized stores. They are convenient to use in domestic work.

To illuminate the work surface, it is recommended to use white LED bulbs.

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