
Kitchen lighting is the key to creating a beautiful kitchen that is both stylish and functional. When designing, it is simply a matter of layering a variety of the lighting types to get the best look. Therefore, to help you with planning your kitchen lighting, this blog outlines all of the types of lighting and provides you with a number of styling ideas. By the time you are finished reading, you have a plethora of lighting ideas and inspiration to take back to your own kitchen design.
Main Kitchen Lighting

The main lighting in your kitchen works to bathe your entire space in light. Every kitchen needs this type of lighting, so take care to place this style at the centre of your space for the best outcome. For ultimate flexibility, install a dimmer switch to enable you to choose the level the occasion requires, such as full brightness for cooking, and low-level when you're entertaining with wine and friends.
Here are some ideas for main lighting in your kitchen:
Set the Mood with Ambient Lighting
Sometimes referred to as 'mood lighting', ambient lighting is the lighting you use when entertaining guests or late in the day when you begin settling down for the evening.
Here are some ideas for ambient lighting in your kitchen:
- Opt for a table lamp which can not only serve to bring low light to your space but, when chosen carefully, can look like a beautiful sculpture too.
- Like we mentioned above, install a dimmer switch on your main lighting. With this simple addition you are granted a set of ambient lights too. Simply dim the lights and you can create a warm glow across your space or a bright illumination depending on what you require.
- For an ultra-modern aesthetic, neon strip lights offer a striking look and are available in a variety of colours; each different hue can offer you a different mood.
- If you would prefer a simple alternative to these mood lighting ideas, fairy lights could offer you a solution. Sprinkle them throughout your space for a simple but cosy feel.
Task Lighting
So if ambient lighting is primarily used as 'mood lighting', you can imagine how it can often leave shadows in areas that we need the most light. With the help of task lighting you can specifically light these areas where you cook and prepare your food.
Here are some ideas for task lighting in your kitchen:
Accent Lighting - Make a Statement with your Kitchen Ceiling Lights
The final style is accent lighting; this is arguably where you can have the most fun designing the lighting for your kitchen! Accent lighting is considered the statement lighting of your kitchen. It is the lighting which is decorative and highlights the most beautiful features of your kitchen such as your stunning range cooker, your island or any other elements you would like to show off with extra brightness.
Here are some ideas for accent lighting in your kitchen: