How to Choose the Best Lighting for Your Kitchen to Maximize Functionality

The lighting in your kitchen adds style, but more importantly, it also contributes to a functional space. According to recent statistics, the U.S. kitchen lighting market is expected to reach over $30,700 million by 2028.

If you’re planning a new kitchen remodel, what is the best lighting for your kitchen design?

Read on to discover some of the best lighting options that will add lots of sleek style to your space, but also plenty of functionality to make this important room more useful, especially if you’re considering a kitchen remodel.

Recessed Kitchen Lights

Recessed lighting is some of the best lighting for a kitchen, especially if you have low or average-height ceilings. As the name implies, these lights are recessed directly into the ceiling rather than hanging down from the hardware like chandeliers or pendant lighting.

When you install recessed kitchen lights, you’ll get bright, ambient lighting that improves overall functionality. These lights are not only quite affordable, but they also create a clean, streamlined look.

best warm lighting for kitchen with recessed lights

You don’t have to use just recessed lighting alone. Feel free to mix and match these fixtures with other styles including pendant lighting, flush mount, and semi-flush mount styles as well.

For those with small kitchens or low ceilings, recessed lighting is a smart choice. It makes the room look and feel larger and you won’t have to worry about your light fixtures being too low.

Best Lighting for a Kitchen: Task Lighting

The term task lighting is exactly what it sounds like. This lighting is designed to help you perform various tasks. When it comes to your kitchen, this style of lighting usually includes pendants or even a few small table lamps on your kitchen counters.

Install or add your task lighting in areas where you need to see things clearly. For example, a trio of pendant lights above your kitchen island lends illumination and brightness so you can prep and cook with ease.

You can also install task lighting above the sink as well. Any type of lighting that illuminates a specific area more clearly is considered task lighting.

The larger your kitchen, the more task lighting you’ll likely need. Take a closer look at your kitchen layout to determine just how much you should add, and where.

Kitchen Accent Lighting

Kitchen accent lighting focuses light directly onto an object or a part of the room. Under-cabinet and interior cabinet are just two examples of this style.

While you’ll probably use accent lighting more in areas of the home like the living room, it’s also useful in a kitchen as well. Look for small, bright lights that highlight special features in your kitchen.

A light underneath the oven hood will illuminate a backsplash, while small lights around the bottom of your cabinets help you see more clearly at night. You can even install custom accent lighting in your kitchen drawers. Every time you open the drawer, the light turns on so it’s easier to see.

Think about areas where kitchen accent lighting could benefit you. Thanks to its unique design and versatility, accent lights are some of the best lighting for a kitchen to improve overall functionality in the space.

Kitchen Track Lighting

This modern lighting style features a series of smaller bulbs attached to a metal rail or track in a linear design. Installing kitchen track lighting above a stovetop, sink, or island is a contemporary alternative to pendant lights and recessed kitchen lights.

sleek modern grey tone kitchen with black track lights - best lighting types for kitchen

When you look for kitchen track lighting, choose a style that allows you to change the direction of the bulbs. Some track lighting can also be adjusted along the track. This style lets you move the lights forward and backward based on your needs.

The more versatile your track lighting is, the better it will perform to improve the functionality of your newly remodeled kitchen. Track lighting that can be adjusted in several directions is ideal since it gives you more control over where the light goes.

Kitchen Ceiling Lights

There are several different options when it comes to kitchen ceiling lights. Chandeliers, pendants, flush mounts, and semi-flush mounts are the most common.

Pendant lights hang from a cord or a metal rod and can usually be adjusted to any height. These stylish lights add a fun element to your kitchen and look beautiful above the island. Because they point directly downward, they’re also quite functional, too.

Chandeliers are more ornate than functional, but there are new designs that also add extra versatility to the space. Look for chandeliers with clear glass shades or no shades to enhance the brightness.

Flush mount lighting sits flush to the ceiling, but it’s not completely recessed. These lights also work great if you have low ceilings or a smaller kitchen but prefer something a bit more decorative.

Semi-flush-mount lights extend slightly below the ceiling but not quite as far down as pendants or chandeliers. These beautiful light fixtures are excellent for kitchens where you want to add a stylish touch but don’t want anything too pronounced or low hanging.

Find Your Perfect Kitchen Lighting

Whether it’s classic choices like recessed lighting, pendants, or track lights, consider these options to help you choose the best lighting for a kitchen. Not only will the right lighting add a beautiful finishing touch to your space, but it will make it much more functional, too.

If you’re ready to discuss your kitchen remodel needs, be sure to contact the experts at MPLS Kitchen Remodeling to find out how we can help today!