Choosing the Best Lighting for Your Kitchen

Why Kitchen Lighting Matters 

Cooking in bad lighting is like grooming and getting dressed in a moving car. Possible, but you’ll regret the outcome (unless you’re Mr. Bean).

Proper lighting keeps you safe with sharp knives, makes food look appetising, and ensures guests aren’t dining in gloomy silence. It’s also the quickest way to make your kitchen look polished without knocking down a wall.

Good lighting isn’t an afterthought; it’s the main ingredient.

• Ceiling Lights: For example Downlights for general room lighting, bright and practical.

• Under-Cabinet Lighting: essential for food prep and chopping safely.

• Pendants & Island Lighting: a stylish focal point that doubles as task lighting.

• Accent Lighting: LED strips under shelves, plinths (kickboards), or inside cabinets for ambience.

• Smart Lighting: dimmable or colour-tuned LEDs that adapt to your mood.

• Aim for 5,000–10,000 lumens in total for an average kitchen.

• Use cool white (5000–6500K) above worktops to keep tasks clear and safe.

• Choose warm white (2700–3000K) in dining or seating zones for a cosy feel.

What’s the best lighting for kitchen prep areas?
Under-cabinet lighting gives bright, shadow-free light right where you need it.

Should kitchen lighting be warm or cool?
Cool white is best for cooking, while warm white works for dining and relaxing.

Can I use LED strips in my kitchen?
Yes – under cabinets, along kickboards, or even around shelves for extra glow.

Time to Upgrade

Kitchen lighting isn’t just for show. It’s the difference between a room you tolerate and a room you enjoy. It helps you cook better, entertain more easily, and makes even takeaway pizza look gourmet.

The good news is you don’t need a design degree to get it right. Our guides strip away the jargon and give you ideas that actually work. After that, head to Simple Lighting to find lights that look sharp, save energy, and outshine the dull pendant hanging over your sink.