Kitchen lighting ideas
Learn how the right lighting can turn a kitchen into a sociable space for cooking and entertaining.
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How to best light your kitchen
In the kitchen, you’ll want to set the mood but also make sure you’ve got enough light for cooking. Luckily, it’s easy to have everyday practicality as well as an atmospheric ambience. If you're looking for some inspiration, here are a few ideas you can use to light up this space.
Nine ways to illuminate your kitchen
1. Kitchen wall lights
Kitchen wall lights come in many shapes, sizes and styles, and are just the thing for lighting up a specific part of your kitchen space. You can also use them to give the room a more mellow feel for late nights or cosy gatherings.
2. Kitchen spotlights
If you have multiple worktops, or you like to move around your kitchen while cooking, you’ll want a flexible lighting option. Many kitchen spotlights can be moved and angled in their fittings, which means you can focus them to light up a particular workspace.
3. Kitchen cluster lights
These are a compact group of lights that can be attached to the wall or ceiling. They’re especially effective if you want to draw attention to your favourite picture or plant. They come in a range of attractive designs, so can be a feature on their own.
4. Kitchen chandelier
A chic chandelier-inspired design will turn heads if you're a regular host to discerning diners. Position one in the centre of the kitchen or above a breakfast bar or island to give your space an instant touch of warmth and glamour.
5. Cabinet lights
Unit lights can illuminate worktops, helping you watch what you’re doing on the chopping board. Adding a few underneath your cupboards or above your worktops will give you a lot of light - perfect for late-night baking.
6. Kitchen island lighting
Pendant lights are great for hanging over islands to provide task lighting. They can be hung in multiples, pairs, groups of three, or even as a single light fixture. Try placing them at different heights across the length of the island to add interest.
7. Copper kitchen lights
Copper provides the perfect accent to a host of culinary spaces. Use it to bring warmth to an otherwise neutral or white kitchen, or combine with deeper shades such as charcoal or navy blue to create a more dramatic contrast.
8. Retro kitchen lights
Retro lighting gives a plain kitchen a real sense of character. Go bold with a ceiling light shaped like a sphere, teardrop or pear. For a more subdued, aged look, opt for a hanging metal pendant in a copper, brass or nickel finish.
9. Industrial kitchen lights
These types of lights work particularly well in kitchens that are open and spacious. They can be hung in clusters over a kitchen work surface or used singly as a decorative feature. Pair with vintage-style bulbs for a real statement look.
Top picks
What bulbs do I need?
Is your priority reliability, brightness or energy efficiency? Take a look at which kind of bulb suits you and your kitchen’s needs.
LED bulbs
These bulbs suit many forms of lighting in your kitchen. They are very energy efficient, so you don't need to change them as often as other bulbs.
Halogen bulbs
Compared to standard bulbs, halogen bulbs burn brighter for longer. They produce a very pure, white light, which is great for illuminating cooking spaces.
40-watt bulbs
These are a good choice for accent lighting, such as under-counter lights. 40 watts isn't too bright nor too dim - it's the perfect middle ground for a subtle effect.
60-watt bulbs
If you've got an open-plan kitchen with an island, or a central feature like a dining table, 60-watt bulbs will light everything generously.
More kitchen inspiration
Create a retro kitchen
Looking for a kitsch, quirky look for your kitchen or dining area?
