Kitchen lighting is one of those topics that just seems intimidating. There are so many potential pitfalls—from picking the right type of fixture to figuring out if you need to rewire your space to deciding how high they need to hang—that can make the whole process feel overwhelming.
Have no fear, I’m here to help. As Country Living’s resident kitchen expert, I spend a lot of time writing about and studying kitchens. I’ve interviewed countless designers about all their best kitchen lighting tips and tricks, and I’m distilling it all here for you.
Below, I’m sharing the three—yes, three—types of lighting every kitchen needs, explaining why they’re important, and giving you the best designer-approved places to find light fixtures you’ll love.
1. Ambient Lighting
Let’s start with the big one: ambient lighting. Ambient lighting refers to the bright overhead lights that provide widespread illumination throughout a space. It is necessary in a kitchen and foundational to any effective kitchen lighting formula.
In other rooms you may be able to get away with not turning on or using the dreaded “big light,” but kitchens require a good source of overhead light to be both functional and safe. Can lights—which we’ll discuss below—are a common choice in builder-grade homes but are notorious for being unattractive. Good news—these days, there are plenty of alternative, designer-loved options for hardworking ambient lighting.
Semi-flush mount lights have become the most popular can light alternative with designers thanks to their pronounced profiles that don’t sacrifice practicality. Seek out bare-bulb styles, like the one seen above, for lights that blend whimsy with utility. More traditional semi-flush mounts with glass enclosures, like those pictured at top, bring a classic air to any kitchen.
If you’re stuck with less-than-desirable can lighting and don’t have the budget for a full kitchen makeover, add designer-favorite brass trim rings, which can be purchased at national home improvement stores such as The Home Depot for around $10. They provide an easy and inexpensive upgrade to your existing fixtures.
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2. Task Lighting
As the name suggests, task lighting—often in the form of sconces or pendant lights—is key in supporting the lighting needs of specific task-oriented areas of your kitchen such as above the island, over the sink, under upper cabinets, or next to the stove. It’s the second most important fixture in a kitchen lighting plan but can often be the most fun.
Think like a designer and use task lighting to show a little personality. Task light fixtures are often the best vehicles for texture, pattern, and shape. Rattan pendant lights over the island can bring a cottage feel, while an enameled sconce over a sink adds a distinctly farmhouse flair. Also embrace a little creativity when it comes to picking the proper task lighting and allow these statement makers to, well, make a statement.
Check out retailers like GreenRow for cottage-inspired lights, but turn to places such as Ballard Designs and Birch Lane for more traditional styles. Olde Brick Lighting is a great source for farmhouse-inspired lighting. For a truly one-of-a-kind look, you can even use vintage lighting.
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3. Accent Lighting
Accent lights are the fixtures that make a kitchen feel lived-in—and are usually the layer people neglect to add. They get their name from uses in other areas of the house where they’re used to highlight noteworthy architectural features such as a built-in bookcase with interesting millwork. In the kitchen, accent lighting is best used to give your space a soulful feel—they’re the lights you leave on at the end of the evening to give your kitchen that cozy, after-hours glow.
If you want to use accent lighting in your kitchen, try tucking a lamp under one of your upper cabinets, on a shelf, or even on the island. (Don’t worry if you don’t have hardwiring available. You can purchase a variety of battery-operated lamps that look just as darling as a traditional plug-in.) Pair the lamp with a fun piece of art or an objet—think an antique artwork leaning against a wall or a pair of vintage salt and pepper shakers standing nearby.
Check your local vintage stores for fun accent lighting. You’ll want to look for pieces chock-full of personality that can bring a bit of warmth to your kitchen.
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
