Kitchen Lighting Upgrades

The difference between a kitchen that is lit and one that is designed. Layered ambient, task and accent lighting that makes a kitchen work and glow.

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Overview

About kitchen lighting upgrades

Good kitchen lighting is layered: ambient light for the whole room, task light where you prep and cook, and accent light for warmth. Relying on one ceiling fixture leaves shadows on the counters where you work.

Modern LED options make it easy to add under-cabinet strips, recessed cans and pendants that are efficient and dimmable, and they can be planned into a remodel or retrofitted into an existing kitchen.

What's included

Lighting plan by zone
Recessed lights and pendants
Under-cabinet task lighting
Dimmers and controls
In-cabinet and toe-kick accent lights
Fixture and bulb selection

Options

Choices to consider

Recessed lighting

Clean, ceiling-mounted lights that provide even ambient illumination.

Pendants over the island

Statement fixtures that add style and focused light for seating and prep.

Under-cabinet LEDs

Bright task light directly on the counters, essential for food prep.

What affects the price

Cost drivers

Number and type of fixtures
Wiring and access for retrofit
Dimmers and smart controls
Fixture quality

Timeline

Simple upgrades take a day or two; larger plans with new circuits take longer.

Before you start

Choose a consistent color temperature across fixtures.
Add dimmers to shift from work mode to dining mode.
Plan lighting before the ceiling and cabinets are finished.

Design gallery

Kitchen styles for inspiration

Open-plan kitchen with a stone waterfall island, fluted wood detailing, glass pendants and large windows — Contemporary
Open plan with a view

A waterfall stone island, fluted wood detailing, floor-to-ceiling windows and generous natural light.

Bright white kitchen with shaker cabinets, brass lantern pendant lights, marble backsplash and a large island with upholstered stools — Traditional
Classic white kitchen

Shaker cabinetry, brass lantern pendants and a marble backsplash behind a large island.

White kitchen with a marble waterfall island, brass pendant lights and a farmhouse sink under a large window — Transitional
Marble waterfall island

A full-height marble waterfall island under brass pendants, with a farmhouse sink and glass-front uppers.

Featured designs are shown for style reference.

Questions