Transform your kitchen into a beautifully lit, functional space by sidestepping these frequent lighting slip-ups. Discover expert lighting tips and curated solutions from Lumens.
Modern Kitchens Demand Modern Lighting
Today’s kitchens serve as gathering spots, homework stations, and culinary hubs. Achieving the right blend of task, ambient, and accent lighting is essential—but easy to get wrong.
Avoid these five common kitchen lighting mistakes to ensure your space is both stunning and practical.
1. Neglecting Undercabinet Lighting
The Mistake: Relying solely on overhead or ambient lighting often leaves countertops in shadow, especially beneath cabinets—making food prep challenging and unsafe.
The Fix: Install undercabinet lighting to create a bright, functional workspace. Choose from plug-in models for a quick upgrade or hardwired solutions for seamless integration. Opt for modular, dimmable designs to customize your kitchen’s atmosphere and double as nighttime safety lighting.
2. Overusing Recessed Lighting
The Mistake: Filling your ceiling with too many recessed lights can create harsh, uneven illumination and leave walls and corners dim.
The Fix: Follow the “less is more” rule: space recessed lights about 4 feet apart for 8-foot ceilings (divide ceiling height by two to calculate spacing). Supplement with pendant lights or wall sconces to achieve a balanced glow throughout your kitchen.
3. Choosing the Wrong Fixture Size
The Mistake: Installing a tiny pendant over a large island or an oversized chandelier in a compact dining nook throws off the room’s proportions and can result in insufficient lighting.
The Fix: Select fixtures that match your kitchen’s scale. For general pendant lighting, add the room’s length and width in feet, then convert that total to inches for the ideal fixture diameter. For islands, pick a light about 12 inches smaller than the surface’s narrowest width. Explore our full range of kitchen pendants and chandeliers to suit any space.
4. Making Your Kitchen Too Bright
The Mistake: Excessive or overly bright lighting can cause discomfort, headaches, and fatigue.
The Fix: Embrace layered lighting for a comfortable, adaptable kitchen environment. Use dimmers and separate switches for different lighting zones. Consider integrating smart lighting controls for ultimate flexibility and ambiance.
5. Highlighting the Wrong Kitchen Areas
The Mistake: Placing statement fixtures in less important areas or crowding the space with competing focal points can disrupt your kitchen’s flow and style.
The Solution: Use accent lighting strategically to draw attention to key features like islands or dining tables. Limit yourself to one dramatic focal point per area, and coordinate other fixtures for a cohesive look.
Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen Lighting?
Explore our curated collection of kitchen lighting—from modern pendants and undercabinet solutions to stunning chandeliers and smart lighting controls.
