Quick answer: Great kitchen lighting comes from layering three types—task, accent, and decorative—then choosing fixture sizes, bulb color temperatures, and shade materials that match how you use the space. A 2700–3000K bulb gives a warm, incandescent-style glow.
Lighting a room is about so much more than the design of the fixtures. It's about how you want to present the space, how you'll use the room, and the look and feel you want. Like a bathroom, a kitchen is used for much more than just lounging or watching TV. In that spirit, let's go through some great tips for choosing kitchen lighting.
Why should you layer your kitchen lighting?
You'll almost never find a room concept where a single light fixture lets you do everything you need in a kitchen, so it's best to tackle lighting in layers: task lighting, accent lighting, and decorative or mood lighting.
Task lighting does the heavy lifting. It's placed at the correct angles and brightness to make any task easier—think of the lights above and around your stove, sink, and other workspaces. Accent lighting adds depth and dimension, and includes recessed lighting, track lights, and under-cabinet lighting; it's a bit of function and a bit of style. Finally, decorative lighting pulls the look of a room together, with elements like ornate wall sconces, chandelier fixtures, and other style-based options.
How do fixture size and shape affect the look?
The size of your lighting fixtures can lend a different ambiance to your kitchen. If you want wide-open areas with a clean, simple style and palette, you can create a chic, modern look with large angular pieces or rope- or geometric-style fixtures. For a vintage look, lots of small lighting details or ornate LED candlelight accents create a softer, more intimate room. Shape matters too: rectangular and box-shaped lights can add dimension and variety to a space.
What light bulb color temperature is best for a kitchen?
Another easy way to change the style and feel of the kitchen is to consider color temperature in your bulbs. Bulbs with a temperature of 2700 to 3000 Kelvin will match other incandescent lighting in your home. The color of the bulbs makes a difference too—you'd be surprised how drastic a change you'll see switching from a warm white to a daylight bulb. You can alter the color temperature bulb by bulb to fit your needs for the space.
How do shade materials change kitchen lighting?
The kitchen is a versatile space where you cook, entertain, and dine, and a great way to spice it up is to play with texture and materials in your shades. Clear glass shades add tons of light to an area. Opal and other colored glass still offer plenty of light, in a diffused, softer way. Fabric shades offer diffused lighting over dining areas, but soft or porous shades aren't great for food prep or cooking areas. Metal shades are perfect for focusing light on specific areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three layers of kitchen lighting?
The three layers are task lighting (bright, focused light for workspaces like the stove and sink), accent lighting (recessed, track, and under-cabinet lights for depth), and decorative lighting (sconces and chandeliers that pull the look together).
What bulb color temperature matches the rest of my home?
Bulbs rated 2700 to 3000 Kelvin produce a warm glow that matches the incandescent lighting found elsewhere in most homes.
Which shade materials work best over cooking areas?
Clear glass shades add the most light and metal shades focus light precisely, both good near food prep and cooking. Soft or porous shades like fabric are better suited to dining areas than cooking zones.
