The way you light up your kitchen affects the entire functionality of the space and how you feel about it when creating cuisine for your loved ones. Even so, most people consider kitchen lighting an afterthought behind granite countertops, tile, appliances, and after the cabinets.

As a result, it shouldn’t come as a surprise most people only allocate a tiny sliver of their budget toward kitchen lighting. Continue reading to learn more about unique kitchen lighting ideas and how to choose kitchen lighting.

The Four Different Types of Kitchen Lighting Ideas

When it comes to choosing the best lighting for your kitchen, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. You must consider the lighting over your island, under the cabinets, and the obvious overhead lighting solution. While some fixtures multi-task their lighting duties, you must understand the four layers of light to effectively illuminate the kitchen.

1. Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting is the eye candy of your kitchen. It includes attractive candlestick-type wall sconces and chandeliers. In the end, the purpose of decorative lighting is to add architectural bling and to infuse style and interest to the space.

2. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is essential to adding dimension and depth to your kitchen. Great examples of accent lighting include stylish track lights and recessed adjustable light fixtures.

3. Task Lighting

Task lighting is one of the most essential elements of your kitchen. It can be used to illuminate countertops, work spaces, and the areas where you prepare food. Task lighting can also be used inside of your closets or pantries to see the items that are stocked on your shelves.

4. Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is designed to gently fill the kitchen space and bounce off the ceiling. Examples of ambient lighting include torchieres, opaque wall sconces, and pendant-hung indirect fixtures. It should act as an even pool of light or an opulent layer of light to provide a base layer of lighting. Ambient lighting is also referred to general kitchen lighting.

How to Choose Kitchen Lighting in Layers​

When choosing the type of lighting for your kitchen, it’s important to understand no one type of lighting can serve as a stand-alone source for your entire kitchen. For instance, if you choose to use ambient light alone, the kitchen will not have any dimension or depth, but people will look great because they have softened shadows.

On the other hand, if you only use accent lighting, your kitchen will look like a museum where the decorations will stand out and family and friends will fall into darkness. In the end, you can incorporate the four layers of light into the space, regardless of the size or shape of your kitchen.

Working with Different Kitchen Lighting Strategies

In the process of working with kitchen lighting ideas, you can be as creative as you want! However, it’s important to implement multiple types of kitchen lights to ensure functionality. A few of the top kitchen lighting strategies are listed below.

  • Select pendant lighting that stand out instead of regular pendants over the island. Choose either one or two pendants to stand out over your island.
  • Under-counter lighting is a functional and stylish solution. Create a groove underneath the countertop lip, install lights in those grooves, and you’ll be able to see inside when you open the drawers.
  • Think outside the box and choose different shapes of lighting to highlight your kitchen. Instead of the standard oval shaped fixtures, drum-shaped fixtures and rectangular box-shaped lights will add interest to your kitchen.
  • In contrast to opaque light fixtures, choose translucent light fixtures. You can even choose fixtures with a lens on the bottom to conceal the bulbs and provide an interesting glow.
  • Use adjustable and recessed lighting to highlight art on the walls. Since your kitchen is more likely to be used as a gathering space, it makes sense to implement more art and the lighting to highlight these centerpieces.
  • Implementing a glow to your cabinets will infuse more dimension at the line of sight in your kitchen. It will also add more depth and visual interest.
  • Installing toe kick lights under the base of your cabinets will add ambiance and illuminate the floor at night. Toe kick lights allow you to easily walk through the kitchen without stumbling.

Most importantly, when you are working with kitchen lighting ideas, it’s important to think outside of your kitchen.

Considering most of today’s open floor plans, it’s vital to think about the rooms next to the kitchen. Make sure to think how the kitchen lighting will work with the rest of your home. While it doesn’t have to match, you do want the kitchen lighting to relate to the rest of your home.

Contact GAMCO Remodeling for More Innovative Kitchen Lighting Solutions

GAMCO Remodeling is the preferred contractor for homeowners and businesses throughout Long Island, including Western Suffolk and Eastern Nassau. If you are in the process of remodeling your kitchen, get started with our Kitchen Visualizer tool. Then trust the professionals at GAMCO Remodeling to help you create kitchen lighting ideas.

Contact GAMCO Remodeling today at (631) 587-2266 or click the button below to complete the form for a FREE estimate.