Ceiling lights for the kitchen – tips for a modern and well-lit kitchen
Søren Rasmussen
15. September 2026
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Planning kitchen lighting
- Søren Rasmussen
- Last updated14. September 2026
The kitchen is a space where the lighting needs to do a bit of everything. You need good visibility when preparing food, while the lighting should also create a pleasant atmosphere when the kitchen is used for morning coffee, dinner or spending time together.
That is why kitchen lighting often works best when several types of light are combined. In this guide, we look at how to plan the lighting based on the layout of your kitchen, how the space is used and the atmosphere you want to create.
A bit about the author:
Søren Rasmussen
Søren is the Key Account Manager for Export and Sales at Antidark. He has worked many years in the industry and knows how to utilize lighting as an active part of the decor.
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Understand the layout of your kitchen
Start by looking at how your kitchen is actually used.
Types of kitchen lighting:
A good lighting plan often combines three types of light:
- Task lighting: Focused light for areas where you prepare food, wash up or work with ingredients.
- Ambient lighting: Softer, more general light that helps create the overall atmosphere in the kitchen.
- Accent lighting: Light used to highlight specific details, materials or areas in the room.
The three types do not necessarily need to come from separate fixtures. A pendant above a kitchen island, for example, can provide task lighting while also becoming an important part of the overall look of the space.
Task lighting
Task lighting should provide good visibility exactly where the work takes place. This is especially important around the worktop, sink, hob and kitchen island.
Placement matters. If the light comes from behind you, you may end up casting a shadow over your own work surface. So it is important to think about both where the fixture is placed and where the light falls.
Examples of task lighting:
- Under-cabinet lighting: Provides direct light onto the worktop and is especially useful where wall cabinets would otherwise block the ceiling light.
- Pendant lights: Above a kitchen island or work surface, pendant lights can provide focused light while also helping to tie the interior together. Choose a design that directs the light onto the surface where you actually need it.
Ambient lighting
For many people, the kitchen is also a place to spend time together. That means not all of the lighting needs to be focused on work surfaces.
Ambient lighting can provide a softer overall light in the room and make the kitchen feel more comfortable and inviting once the cooking is done.
Examples of ambient lighting:
- Ceiling lights: A fixture with soft, diffused light can help create even illumination throughout the room.
- Indirect lighting: Light that first reflects off a wall or ceiling can create a softer effect and add depth without making the light source itself too prominent.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting – also known as focus lighting – is used to highlight specific elements in the kitchen.
This could be an open shelf, a feature wall, artwork, materials or other details you would like to draw more attention to.
Examples of accent lighting:
- Track spotlights: Adjustable spotlights make it easy to direct the light towards specific areas of the kitchen and can be repositioned if the layout changes.
- Recessed spotlights: These can be used to highlight walls, cabinets or other features while blending discreetly into the ceiling.
By combining task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting, you can create a kitchen where the lighting works well in everyday life while also adding depth and variation to the space.
Considerations before purchase
Here's what you should consider before getting started
Budget: Consider in advance how much of the overall project should be allocated to lighting. Also remember to factor in any costs for installation, dimming or changes to the electrical setup.
Style and design: Look at the materials, colours and overall interior of the kitchen. The lights do not necessarily need to match everything else, but they should feel like a natural part of the space.
Flexibility: Consider whether the lighting should be dimmable or adjustable. This can be a big advantage in a kitchen that is used both for practical tasks and for more relaxed moments.
The basic principles of lighting planning.
A good lighting plan is not about having as much light as possible. It is about having the right light in the right places.
By combining different light sources, directions and light levels, you can create a kitchen that works well for cooking while also feeling comfortable to spend time in.
1. Layering of Light
- Combine different types of lighting: Use task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting together rather than relying on a single fixture to do everything.
- Create balance: Avoid strong contrasts between very bright and very dark areas. A good balance makes the room feel more comfortable to spend time in.
2. Quality of light
- Colour temperature: Kelvin tells you how warm or neutral the light appears. Many people prefer a warm light of around 2700K–3000K in the home, but the most important thing is that the colour temperature suits the room and the atmosphere you want to create. Read more about colour temperature here.
- Colour rendering (CRI): CRI indicates how naturally colours are rendered under the light. In a kitchen, good colour rendering can be especially useful, as it helps food, materials and colours appear more clearly.
3. Light Intensity and Control
- Dimming: Dimmable lighting makes it easier to change the atmosphere in the kitchen. You can use a brighter light when working at the kitchen counter and turn it down later in the evening.
- Choose the light to suit the function: Work areas and dining areas do not necessarily need the same level of brightness. Consider the needs of each zone rather than using one light level throughout the entire kitchen.
4. Direction and dispersion
- Avoid glare: Position and direct the light sources so they do not cause direct glare. This can be achieved by using diffusers or by placing the lights carefully.
- Avoid unnecessary shadows: Position task lighting so that you are not standing between the light source and the work surface. This is especially important around the worktop, sink and hob.
5. Aesthetics and Design
- Consider the lighting as part of the interior: Lighting is a visible part of the kitchen – even when it is switched off. Think about shape, materials and colours in relation to the rest of the space.
- Function meets design: Remember that lighting is both a functional and visual part of the room. Choose solutions that work well while also fitting naturally into the overall design.
6. Safety and control
- Plan the installation from the start: For new builds or renovations, it is a good idea to decide on the placement of lights, power outlets and any lighting controls early in the process.
- Make the lighting easy to use: Switches and dimmers should be placed logically, so it is easy to turn the different lighting zones on and off and adjust them as needed.
- Safe installation: All electrical installations must follow the applicable regulations, and any work that requires an authorised professional should be carried out by a qualified electrician.
Tips for kitchen lighting
Would you like even more practical ideas for where to place lights and lighting in the kitchen?
Installation of kitchen lighting
Good kitchen lighting starts with good planning.
If you are building a new kitchen or renovating, it is a good idea to think about the placement of lights, power outlets and lighting controls early in the process. This makes it possible to plan the lighting around the layout of the kitchen rather than having to adapt it to installations that are already in place.
When it comes to electrical work, always make sure you know what you are allowed to do yourself and when a qualified electrician is required.
Maintenance and updating of kitchen lighting
Lighting generally requires very little maintenance, but it is a good idea to clean your fixtures regularly and keep an eye on light sources, cords and other visible parts.
If your needs change, you do not necessarily have to replace the entire lighting setup. In some cases, new light sources, repositioning adjustable spotlights or adding dimming can be enough to give the kitchen a different lighting effect.
Frequently asked questions - FAQ
The brightness in a kitchen is measured in lumens. As a general rule, it is recommended to have around 300-400 lumens per square meter, distributed evenly throughout the kitchen. For work areas, you may need higher lumens to ensure sufficient task lighting.
The size of pendant lights should be proportional to the size of the kitchen island. A good rule of thumb is that the diameter of the lamp should be about 1/3 of the island’s width.
Yes, LED lighting works well in the kitchen. It is available in a wide range of colour temperatures, brightness levels and formats, making it suitable for both task lighting and more atmospheric lighting.
Consider using dimmable light sources and switches. This allows you to adjust the brightness as needed and create different moods throughout the day.
It’s not a requirement, but coordinating the finish of your lighting with the hardware or appliances can create a more cohesive look. However, consider the functionality and style of the lighting first and foremost.
To avoid shadows and dark areas in your kitchen, place task lighting directly over work areas to minimize shadows. Also, use ambient lighting to illuminate the entire room and avoid dark corners.
Simple lighting projects, such as replacing bulbs, can be done by yourself. For more complex installations, especially those that require electrical work, it is recommended to hire a professional electrician to ensure safety and compliance with regulations and standards.
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