Kitchen Lighting Tips

The kitchen is primarily a work area, but it is also a gathering place for family and friends. Comfortable, functional kitchen lighting is required.

Kitchen cabinet lighting, such as under-cabinet/under-shelf fixtures, offer both task and accent lighting. Under-cabinet kitchen lights are designed to light countertops, and, in a display cabinet, show off prized possessions. They are used in a workshop or anywhere you need lighting right at hand. Under-cabinet kitchen lights include slim, energy efficient fluorescent lights, miniature track lighting, and slim low-voltage mini-lights.

Kitchen pendant lights provide both task and general lighting. They are suspended from the ceiling over dinette tables, game tables, kitchen counters, or other work areas. Choose from standard, incandescent, xenon, halogen, indirect or direct lighting with shades or globes to avoid glare. Adding a dimmer control to the pendant gives you the flexibility to vary the light to suit the occasion. Mini lighting pendants have also become very popular for providing good lighting and bringing the rest of the room together.

Kitchen Ceiling Lights

• A large ceiling lighting fixture, equipped with energy efficient fluorescent tubes, supplies plenty of well-diffused general lighting, but it may leave you working in your own shadow at the sink, range, and countertops. These areas need supplemental task lighting. For example, two track lights or recessed lighting over the sink will provide the illumination you need for washing dishes and scouring pots and pans.
• Recessed lighting well-placed in a kitchen gives fantastic task lighting. This, in combination with other task lighting, can be both beautiful and functional.

Dinettes & Kitchen Island Lights

• Dinettes, nooks, and island counters should have decorative pendant lighting. When used with a dimmer control, these ceiling-hung fixtures provide adequate task lighting for homework, hobbies, or family business and allow you to adjust the light for dining and entertaining.

Kitchen Sink Lighting & Range

• At the sink and range, an individual recessed downlight, equipped with the correct light bulb, provides adequate task lighting when installed in the ceiling or in soffits over these two busy work areas.

Under-cabinet Kitchen Lighting

• Under-cabinet lighting is ideal for lighting countertops. They should be mounted as close to the front of the cabinets as possible to avoid glare reflecting off work surfaces. Choose from today’s most popular light sources, such as xenon, halogen, or fluorescent. The size of the fixture depends upon the light source you select.

Kitchen Cabinet Lighting & Soffits

• Highlight your kitchen cabinets by placing lighting above, below, or inside cabinets. With the wide array of different types of lighting fixtures available, you may use a variety of fixtures depending upon the exact application.
• Soffits and other concealed locations can be treated effectively with low-voltage mini-lights. These inconspicuous light fixtures highlight your cabinetry, while adding a warm glow to your kitchen.²

For more kitchen lighting ideas, schedule an appointment with a Wolfers lighting expert.