Planning a project? Master your kitchen lighting solutions from the outset to create an inviting space that’s both practical and hardworking.

The kitchen is the very heart of the home, says KBB journo Amanda Cochrane, somewhere to cook for family and friends, create a flexible home office, or zone off a cosy nook to hang out. So, when working on the design of your new kitchen, you’ll also need to think about the best lighting for all the different zones, as you want the room to flow and feel warm and inviting.

“Consider the various roles your kitchen will play,” advises Samil Jalili, co-founder and designer at Arcola. “As spaces for entertaining, dining, doing homework and even taking meetings, kitchens these days need lighting plans to match their versatility.”

When should you start planning?

Kitchen lighting needs to be carefully considered and layered so it works for cooking, socialising and everything in between, including creating the right atmosphere at different times of day. And there’s an amazing variety of options to choose from, with today’s designs becoming more and more creative and sophisticated. A single pendant placed over the dining table or rows of cold and uninviting downlighters now look distinctly old fashioned.

In contrast, well-planned lighting will ensure your kitchen is both functional and stylish – a wonderful place to enjoy cooking and spend quality time with family and friends. “Lighting is often perceived as a decorative finishing touch and forgotten until the last minute,” says Pereen d’Avoine, founder and director of Russian For Fish.

“In reality,” she continues, “an effective lighting scheme should be considered when deciding on the layout of cabinetry, worktops and island space, as this will affect the placement of sockets and switches, the inclusion of layered ambient lighting, and the positioning of direct task lights. It’s also much easier to wire in the correct electrics before the build begins than retrospectively.”

What to consider

You need to think about the different activity zones in the kitchen and then create a design that uses a clever mixture of ambient, general-purpose and focused or zoned lighting. As well as low-level lighting like under-cabinet LED strips, for example, consider where you will need task lighting for food preparation, statement pendants to add drama and, for that finishing touch, LED strips inside cabinets or along plinths to lend your space more depth.

Around the dining table, however, consider softer, ambient lighting to create a relaxing mood conducive to enjoying good food and interesting conversation. The world of lighting is developing quickly, so work with an interior designer or lighting specialist to make the best use of the various light levels. “If smart lighting is involved, planning ahead is essential,” says Gareth Davies, design director of Classic Interiors.

“Dimmable circuits and app-controlled lighting can completely change the atmosphere at the touch of a button,” continues Gareth. Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville, agrees and says, “It’s wise to consider lighting with a compatible dimmer, or smart lighting, as this provides you with the ability to instantly change the mood of a room, depending on the situation or function.”

And think about the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of your lights in cooking areas, too, advises Gareth. This measures how accurately a light source reproduces the colours of objects compared to a natural light source. “The wrong lighting can make food look washed out instead of vibrant,” he adds.

Task lighting

Strong task lighting is essential for food preparation – over key parts of the worktop, for example, or an island – so you can clearly see what you’re doing with those sharp knives. You can also use directional downlights or task wall lights with swivel joints near the preparation and cooking areas. The use of recessed downlights or under-cabinet LEDs also helps prevent shadows while preparing food.

“Under-cabinet lighting can be easily incorporated,” says Nicolle Whyte, design director at Olive & Barr. “Opt for LED strips or spotlights for a safe, energy-efficient and purse-friendly solution.”

Island pendants

Your kitchen island is a useful and hard-working area, used for anything from food preparation to cooking, working, socialising, and even as the occasional dance floor! So, it creates the perfect opportunity to have some fun with your lighting scheme.

There are endless designs on offer; why not go for a personal touch with a duo or row of your favourite style of pendants that will add instant oomph and character to a functional space. “Adding pendants over an island helps lower the sense of scale in high-ceilinged spaces, while creating a decorative focal point,” says Luke Thomas, design director at John Cullen Lighting.

“Create a focal point in the kitchen by introducing a sculptural pendant light or wooden chandelier above the island,” adds lighting designer Tom Raffield. “Not only will this bring style and elegance, it will also illuminate the heart of the kitchen, where everyday life unfolds – from early morning breakfasts to relaxed evening dinners.”

Kitchen island lighting needs to be customisable, so ensure your pendants are on a dimmer switch, which can be lowered to something more ambient for social occasions. Also, consider the drop height of your pendants which is often overlooked, as Pereen explains. “Nothing is more infuriating than banging your head on a sharp cone shade while trying to concentrate on dinner preparation. Consider ceiling height, client height, and the height of the island itself when wiring these in,” she says.

Create interest

The addition of a few cosy or traditional elements to a sleek and minimalist kitchen design will stop your space from feeling overly cold and functional – so consider a couple of well-placed table lamps along the worktop or a side table for a touch of charm. It’s a great way to add personality and make the most of your favourite antique or car boot find.

“If you have a cosy corner in your kitchen where you enjoy winding down with a book in the evening – or sipping an early morning coffee – then add a table lamp there,” suggests Nicolle. Similarly, sleek modern lighting will introduce useful contrast to a traditional kitchen design.

“With many homeowners choosing to extend their kitchens, an interesting mix of colours and finishes helps zone the space and create interest,” says Charlie Bowles, director of Original BTC. “Low-hanging pendants are a visual tool to delineate open-plan kitchens. Large expanses of glass and concrete can look rather austere, so interestingly shaped pendants in quality materials are a great way to break up the lines and create an eye-catching silhouette.”

Be flexible

Finally, flexibility is important when it comes to effective kitchen lighting, and your scheme should never be limited to a single circuit, Luke advises. “Instead, separating lighting types such as wall lights, task lighting, and decorative fixtures onto different circuits allows for better control,” he says. “Incorporating dimmer switches or a pre-set control system enables you to adjust the lighting for different times of day and occasions, from bright functional lighting in the morning, to a softer, more atmospheric setting in the evening.

Key points

What will it cost? The cost of installing your kitchen lighting will depend on the scale of the project, but a mid-range lighting set-up can be anywhere from £1500 to £5000, says Gareth Davies of Classic Interiors. “High-end projects will go well beyond this, especially with bespoke fittings or smart lighting systems.”

Socket placement: “Sockets are easy to overlook but can make a huge difference,” says Gareth. “Pop-up sockets on islands, under-cabinet power points, and integrated USB ports help keep worktops tidy.”

Sustainable choice: Prioritise eco-friendly options by using energy-efficient LED bulbs and fixtures made from recyclable or sustainable materials. This reduces your carbon footprint, ensuring that your kitchen design is both beautiful and green.

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