The biggest lesson I learned in renovating my kitchen is to not second-guess your lighting plan, as it is just as important as your counters, cabinets, and storage. Lighting ensures a comfortable, stress-free experience using your kitchen. It also improves the functionality and aesthetics of the room, making it more ergonomic, in fact.
When we redesigned the space last year, we decided to spend a significant amount of budget, time, and resources on the “big” elements of our kitchen, thinking that one pendant light above the counter and a few spotlights would be enough. Without creating a mood board or consulting a professional, we took the plunge and bought some lighting (and it was cheap!). But over time, we realized that our lighting scheme didn't fit our new kitchen design. The counters didn't look as good, the true colors of the walls were hidden, and the whole space felt dull.
So, consider this a PSA: take a look at the kitchen lighting mistakes I made and make sure you avoid them too.
1. Select only one light source
(Image courtesy of James Merrell)
Even if your kitchen has a lot of natural light, I think it's a mistake to choose only one kitchen pendant or chandelier. I hung one long, sturdy light above the counter, but I found that the light source created a lot of shadows and dark areas in the kitchen in the evening. After consulting with a designer friend, I learned that a modern kitchen plan requires layered lighting and a combination of indirect, task, and accent lighting.
A few months later, I decided to install some wall-mounted ceiling spotlights from Home Depot (inexpensive yet extremely durable) and under-cabinet lighting, as well as some Oyster table lamps from Urban Outfitters on the counter to give the space a curated, decorative look.
size: 23.62″ W x 4.3″ H x 5.12″ D
price: $233
5 Bar LED Under Cabinet Lighting
Light Temperature: Cool white light
price: $69
size: 7.87″ L x 8.25″ H
price: $105
2. Buying poor quality lighting fixtures
(Image courtesy of ANNA STATHAKI)
My mood board was all about materials and “aesthetics,” so I focused on choosing flooring for the kitchen and a backsplash that was both durable and beautiful. I spent a lot on those things, but budgeted a lot less for lighting. I chose lights from an unknown retailer, and sure enough, within a few weeks, two of them started failing.
Save yourself the money and hassle and choose quality lighting fixtures from name brands. These days, there are plenty of affordable retailers like Target, Walmart, and Crate & Barrel that carry great lighting fixtures that will last a long time and won't break down anytime soon.
3. Forgetting to install task lighting
(Image courtesy of Lindsay Reid; Design: Sectter Architecture + Design)
As I mentioned before, my choice to only install one light in my kitchen meant that I didn't have effective task lighting. Adding some low voltage kitchen island lights would distribute the lighting and make chopping veggies and cooking much easier. I like this linear light bar from Dazuma because it's simple and looks great. Similarly, under cabinet lights can do the same thing, making it easier to work on and clean the counter space.
Also, be careful not to overlight your kitchen, as this can cause glare. Ideally, you should have no more than two or three light sources. This will help prevent the room from becoming too bright if you turn all the lights on at once.
4. Buying the wrong equipment
(Image courtesy of Paul Raeside)
A few months after the renovation, I started to rethink my lighting plan and realized that it's not only important to choose effective lighting fixtures, but also to choose ones that match the interior. So, if you have modern lighting fixtures in your kitchen, don't choose ones with vintage designs. If they don't match, it will ruin the aesthetic and you'll end up replacing the lights from scratch.
A good way to choose your lighting fixtures is to do a bit of research on kitchen lighting trends. Brushed chrome fixtures are definitely in right now, as they not only look sleek but also have a timeless quality. Natural finishes such as concrete and plaster are also making their way into kitchen lighting.
5. Choose only practical lighting, not decorative lighting
(Image courtesy of DAVIDE LOVATTI)
There's nothing wrong with choosing the most beautiful and sculptural lighting in your kitchen, because it doesn't have to be a purely utilitarian space. I learned that the hard way. My kitchen is an open-plan kitchen, and after the renovation, I realized that it naturally became a social place, as friends and family would casually walk by while I was cooking and plating. And at that point, my simple kitchen lamps and sober pendant lights were not enhancing the aesthetic of the place. And so, the decorated dining room and the connected kitchen started to look like two completely different spaces.
To give your small kitchen a luxurious feel, you may decide to add a Shoshana metal chandelier from Birch Lane. Choose a beautiful island light and install beautiful lights and bulbs in your kitchen ceiling. These touches will encourage you to spend more time here and you will soon find that this room becomes a lovely “lounge” extension of your home.
Modern Black Pendant Light Fixtures (Set of 3)
size: 8.3″ L x 8.3″ W x 49.7″ D
price: $59.99
2 Ring Modern LED Chandelier
size: 19.7″L x 15.7″W x 39.4″H
price: $89.99
material: Cast Solid Glass
price: $410
What is the most common mistake when it comes to the number of lights used in the kitchen?
Your kitchen needs to be properly lit, but that doesn't mean you need to add more lighting fixtures to this room than necessary. Ideally, this space should have one or two pendants over the island, a few spotlights on the ceiling, and some under-cabinet lights. If you want to make this room even more cozy, consider adding accent lighting, such as a wall sconce with a dimmer that can be left on at night to serve as a nightlight.
Is it better to use warm or cool lighting in the kitchen?
The answer is both. This room will be used for a variety of purposes, so it will need cool and warm lighting. Choose cool lighting under the kitchen cabinets and above the island to help you focus on cooking, while warm lighting in the ceiling will create a cozy atmosphere.
