4 practical tips for kitchen lighting

Discover 4 practical tips for lighting your kitchen. Combine technique and design for flawless results. Choose the right lighting to enhance islands and the overall space.

The kitchen, especially in modern open-plan configurations, is anything but a “monolithic” space. It’s a highly dynamic and high-intensity environment where meal preparation is seamlessly interwoven with moments of socializing and entertainment.

This makes it essential to approach kitchen lighting as a system of interconnected zones, each requiring targeted illumination to meet specific functional and aesthetic needs. From selecting the right fixtures to choosing the ideal color temperature, every detail must be planned with precision.

In this article, we offer interior design professionals 4 practical tips for choosing kitchen lighting solutions that strike the perfect balance between comfort and style.

• How to choose the right lighting for your kitchen?
  • When to create atmosphere by choosing between warm and cool light
• How to light a kitchen with an island?
• When to install modern kitchen lamps

Stant

How to choose the right lighting for your kitchen?

The first aspect to consider is the proper placement of lighting in the kitchen.

This environment is made up of a series of distinct functional areas, each requiring dedicated light levels to ensure ease of use, visual comfort, and safety.

Therefore, once one or more sources of ambient lighting have been introduced to provide general illumination across the space, it's essential to focus on the specific work zones.

Functional sections such as the cooktop, sink, and food prep areas call for direct and focused lighting. This can be achieved, for example, through recessed or adjustable spotlights and integrated lighting systems within the furniture.

These solutions help prevent light dispersion and concentrate illumination exactly where tasks are performed.

Once the practical and functional aspects of kitchen lighting have been defined, equal attention should be paid to its aesthetic and scenographic dimension.

Lighting should integrate harmoniously with the overall design language, enhancing its materials and style, while also contributing its own expressive value.

For instance, one or more modern pendant lamps installed above the island or cooktop can become a true design feature, elevating the visual appeal of the kitchen space.

Snoob

When to create atmosphere by choosing between warm and cool light

The second key aspect of kitchen lighting is the choice of the right color temperature, which will have a decisive impact on the overall experience of the space.

There is no universal rule that determines the perfect shade for kitchen lighting. Several factors need to be considered, chief among them, the prevailing interior style.

For instance, in a classic or Provençal-style kitchen, warmer tones of light tend to be more appropriate. Conversely, in a space with a distinctly modern character, cooler lighting is usually more fitting.

Beyond personal preferences and décor, we can confidently say that a warm light (2700K–3000K) is ideal for creating a welcoming and convivial atmosphere. It’s especially suitable for illuminating the kitchen island or dining table.

For work areas, a neutral white light (3500K–4000K), which most closely resembles natural daylight, is generally preferable. Cool white light (5000K–6500K) is also suitable for operational zones, offering clear, high-intensity illumination.

The most effective design approach, therefore, is not to choose one or the other in absolute terms, but to skillfully balance kitchen lights with different color temperatures.

Detail of Asso

How to light a kitchen with an island?

When a kitchen includes an island, it naturally becomes the focal point around which the entire design revolves. More than just a practical element, the island takes on the role of a true statement piece—both functional and visually iconic.

Our third tip is therefore to design kitchen island lighting that lives up to this central feature.

There are several possible approaches, and, as always, they should be assessed in relation to the overall style of the space. If the goal is to draw attention to this focal point, then designer lighting is undoubtedly the most effective way to achieve it.

Let’s take a closer look at the main lighting options for a kitchen with an island:

1. Pendant lamps. These can be arranged as multiple fixtures evenly spaced above the island, or as a single, centrally positioned statement piece.
   
2. Integrated lighting and extractor hood. This is a practical, minimalist solution—particularly when the cooktop is located on the island. It’s ideal when the goal is to reduce visual clutter and optimize space.
   
3. Recessed spotlights. A great option when a clean, understated look is desired. These can also be paired with LED strips installed under wall units for a more layered lighting effect.

It’s also important to keep in mind that, when opting for pendant lighting, the recommended distance between the fixtures and the kitchen island surface is typically between 60 and 85 centimeters.

Equally crucial is the choice of materials used for the lamps. Considering factors such as ease of cleaning and maintenance will ensure that your kitchen island lighting remains practical as well as visually striking.

Asso

When to install modern kitchen lamps

We’ve reached the fourth and final point of this in-depth look at kitchen lighting. As we've seen, design professionals have a wide range of options available when it comes to illuminating the kitchen.

Our recommendation is to install modern kitchen lamps whenever the goal is to make lighting a true focal point of the interior design project.

In this case, the objective goes beyond delivering excellent technical lighting performance and ensuring optimal comfort and liveability. Through modern kitchen lighting, the design aims to evoke a compelling visual and emotional experience.

Modern kitchen lamps are also the right choice when you want to create a coherent dialogue with the overall mood, or, conversely, when you intend to introduce a bold and deliberate contrast.

Whatever your project needs may be, don’t hesitate to get in touch for further information or assistance in selecting the right lighting for your kitchen. We’re here to help!