our expert guide to kitchen lighting: 
ideas & tips to enhance your design 

types of kitchen lighting

Kitchen lighting is often divided into three categories. These are based on the role each type plays in your design. The categories can sometimes overlap, but the most successful lighting scheme tends to include a variety of all three types. 

Ambient – ambient lighting illuminates the whole room, providing a general level of brightness that allows you to use the space. The most common ambient lights are recessed downlights, track lights and natural light. 

Task – Task lights brighten up areas you need to see clearly for practical reasons, such as your hob, worktop and sink. Under cabinet lights and pendant lights can give you task lighting. However, their attractive appearance can make them difficult to differentiate from accent lighting. 

Accent – Accent lighting needn’t fulfil a practical purpose, it is simply intended to enhance your design, either by highlighting a specific feature, looking stylish or creating a beautiful warm glow.

how to position your kitchen lighting

The two key things to consider when deciding where to position your kitchen lighting are practical visibility and design features.

Firstly, you should place task lighting to ensure you can see clearly to prepare food and use your work surfaces. Once you’ve addressed the practical aspects you can turn your attention to enhancing your design. A great way to do this is by highlighting key features, for example, a kitchen island, a stunning surface finish or even a statement AGA or range cooker. There are a number of different lighting styles you can use to do this. 

transform a traditional kitchen with chic lighting

A trio of black pendant lights is a bold contrast to the radiant neutral colour scheme, beautifully accentuating a kitchen island, adding a chic, contemporary touch. Under cabinet task lights give excellent visibility to the hob and sink areas.

Top tip: If you’re considering including pendant lights in your kitchen, odd numbers tend to look better than even numbers. 

stylish lighting for a contemporary kitchen

The sleek minimal lighting scheme in this kitchen perfectly complements the streamlined modern design. The plinth lights give the illusion that the cabinets are elegantly floating, while cleverly positioned downlights bring a sophisticated glow to the front of the units. The overall effect feels luxurious and futuristic. 

emphasise a dining area

Multiple pendant lights aren’t your only option if you’re looking to highlight a specific area of your kitchen. This stunning modern ceiling light beautifully mirrors the round breakfast bar, creating a wonderful design feature. There are hundreds of eye-catching ceiling light styles to choose from, ideal when you want to make a cool design statement. 

add a pop of colour

As well as drawing attention to a feature like a dining area, island or peninsula, the style of light you choose can make a real difference to your design. Simply by adding a pop of colour, these quirky Scandinavian-inspired pendant lights put a playful twist on this pristine, modern kitchen. 

bring a touch of luxury to your cupboards

Not all kitchen lighting has to be on show to be enjoyed. Lighting in a pantry cupboard or larder is a great way to improve your experience when using your kitchen, combining practicality and luxury in equal measures. 

embrace natural light

When it comes to creating an inviting, airy and spacious feeling kitchen, there’s simply no substitute for great natural light. If your space isn’t as bright as it could be, you may want to consider investing in larger windows, wide patio doors or a skylight. Many people find going open-plan or knocking through a wall to create a kitchen diner can also help bring more natural light into a space.