Shine the Best Light on Your Kitchen By Rob Thomson

Whether you are designing a new home, updating your current kitchen, or are purchasing a fixer-upper and are looking forward to putting your vision in place, deciding on kitchen lighting can be a significant undertaking. The kitchen is the heart of any home, so choosing the proper lighting to create a functional, yet inviting, environment is very important.

It is also a great way to increase interest during a buyer tour when you are selling your home. When professional stagers put their design plans together, one of the main focuses is on creating a clean, bright kitchen that looks move-in ready. Having the right lights to enhance the room is an important consideration.

Ideally, there are three layers to effective kitchen lighting: task, ambient, and accent. Each has its own purpose and can be used in combination or alone, depending on the lighting needs required.


Task Lighting is at the top of everyone's list when purchasing kitchen lighting systems. It is important to be able to have proper illumination for food preparation, such as when you are using sharp knives to cut vegetables, measuring and adding ingredients, and simply reading recipes. Task lighting usually requires higher wattage bulbs and can be set into overhead, directional lights for specific areas of the counter or mounted under the cabinets. Installing task lighting in the wrong place can cast shadows on working areas, defeating the purpose of the light.


Ambient Lighting creates a softer look, making the kitchen feel warm and inviting. This style of indirect lighting is sometimes overlooked, but it is important for homes with open floor plans as it adds to the overall look of the larger space. Types of ambient lighting include pendant lights that hang from the ceiling, or small tube lights installed under kitchen cabinets.


Accent Lighting is usually the last segment homeowners consider, but it is essentially the finishing touch to the kitchen decor. Choices like track lighting, directional display lights and a selection of wall sconces gives a complete look. Other examples of this lighting include include low-wattage bulbs inside glass cabinets to accentuate china and glassware, and recessed lights to focus on artwork.


Another consideration would be decorative lighting, just to add a little more sparkle to your kitchen. However, this could be overkill if your kitchen lighting is layered properly.


In today's world that includes gourmet appliances and granite-top islands in many kitchens, having the perfect lighting to show off all aspects of the room is essential. There are countless choices to make sure your home is the entertainment center for your friends and family.