When it comes to planning your kitchen lighting, most of us tend to leave it to the professionals. But it pays to learn the basics, since it allows you to better communicate your requirements to your interior designer.
Lighting is a key aspect of an efficient kitchen and it also plays a big part in how your overall space looks, so you will want to get things right. To make planning easier, we break down the basics of everything you need to know about kitchen lighting in this guide.
AMBIENT, TASK AND ACCENT
Kitchen lighting, as with most spaces, can be categorised into three different sorts: ambient, task and accent. A properly lit kitchen will have a combination of these.
Ambient lighting, or general lighting, is the main source of light in your kitchen, asides from natural light. It’s the first light you switch on when you step inside your cooking space.
Task lighting, on the other hand, helps to eliminate the shadows caused by ambient lighting. It is a focused light, dedicated to lighting key working zones in the kitchen such as the hob, sink or food prep area.
Accent lighting is the fun one in the group. It’s design-centric, seeking to enliven the atmosphere or accentuate certain areas in the kitchen for visual interest.
Start by planning your ambient lighting first, before moving to task lighting to see the key areas that need extra illuminating. Then finish off with accent lights that will take your cooking space to the next level.
WHAT LIGHTING TO GO FOR AMBIENT?
You want your chosen ambient light to illuminate your kitchen evenly with as much coverage as possible. In smaller kitchens, a single flush mount ceiling light is usually sufficient. Not only is it budget friendly, the many options out there today also mean you can add a bit of design element to the kitchen with your choice.<img alt="" data-caption="A wood bordered flush mount ceiling light matches with the wood-lined kitchen cabinets.
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Bright Ideas for Singapore Kitchens
Turn your kitchen into a well‑lit sanctuary with track lights—the crowd‑pleaser that Singapore home‑owners swear by. These sleek fixtures are not just for slapping on a cable; they’re the multitaskers of illumination.
Task‑Focused Brilliance
Need a laser‑focus light on the stove or in the prep area? Track lights give you that pinpoint glow to see exactly where you’re cutting, chopping, or simmering. Think of them as the “high‑lighter” for your kitchen work zone.
Flexibility, Flex, Flex
What’s great is that you can shift them wherever they’re needed. Wave a track light in one direction, then pull it back for a different spot. It’s like having an adjustable flashlight that never runs out of batteries—okay, metaphorically speaking.
Ambient? Sure thing!
Want that cozy, diffuse glow that turns any kitchen into a home‑y haven? Go for lights with a wider beam angle (around 60 degrees). Those beams spread the light evenly, filling corners and walls so no part of your space feels like a shadowed crime scene.
In a Nutshell
- Task lighting. Focused, bright, pinpoint.
- Flexible setup. Move, trim, transform.
- Ambient charm. Wider beams for softer light.
So, whether you’re whipping up your favorite dish or just setting the mood for a Sunday brunch, let track lights be your kitchen’s best friend—bright, adjustable, and ever so stylish.
<img alt="" data-caption="Task lights are also great as general lighting. Choose ones with a wide beam angle.
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A small to medium-sized kitchen will need about 3 to 6 bulbs. They will have to be paired with a false ceiling, which adds to your renovation budget, but they are a lot less visually obtrusive, giving you a more seamless, modern finish to your kitchen.<img alt="" data-caption="Recessed lights are concealed in the false ceiling.
PHOTO: ROOOT Studio” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”61a6a465-3b3a-417f-b25e-ca77dcb2a8cb” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20200213_root_reno.jpg”/>Tip: We recommend adding a dimmer control to your ambient lighting if your budget allows. It gives you more control over your lighting needs, which can differ depending on the scenario or the person using the kitchen space e.g. the elderly may require a brighter light setting.
TASK LIGHTING: THINK ABOUT THE TASKS INVOLVED
When planning your task lighting in the kitchen, pay attention to areas where you perform tasks like food prepping, cooking and washing up.
Because ambient lights are usually located on the ceiling, they can leave shadows in these key areas especially when you are standing over them. Task lights are therefore included to rid of these shadows and to provide proper illumination in these key zones.
Under-cabinet lights are one of the more common task lights used. They help to illuminate your countertop, which can be obscured because of the top cabinets. Consider using LED strips or puck lights to illuminate the worktop.
The former lends a more evenly distributed light for the entire surface of your countertop, while the latter serves to better highlight dedicated zones.<img alt="" data-caption="Under-cabinet lights are crucial for getting rid of the shadows over your worktop.
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To help reduce glare against a glossy or glass backsplash, place your light fixtures closer to the front edge of the underside of your cabinet. Plus, placing it nearer to the front helps to better illuminate the front-end of your worktop.
If you are going with under-cabinet lighting, you might also want to avoid a countertop that features too much sheen in order to reduce glare.<img alt="" data-caption="Locate your under-cabinet light fixtures closer to the front-end of the underside of your cabinet to avoid glare. But that can also mean your fixtures will be less concealed.
PHOTO: The Safe Haven” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”83d0aeb7-b04a-4a9b-8a61-ceeee997dcb0″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20200213_safe_reno.jpg”/>Illuminating the insides of your cabinets and drawers with LED strips or puck lights is also an option if you don’t want to have to rummage around for things in the dark. Get fixtures with motion sensors so they can light up automatically when you open your cupboards.
KITCHEN ISLAND: WHAT LIGHT TO USE?
Track lights are also great as task lighting in the kitchen, especially over kitchen islands or peninsulas where there are no top cabinets to locate under-cabinet lights. A long, linear light over your kitchen island also serves to provide an evenly distributed illumination for working on the counter.
If your kitchen island is more a gathering spot or an eating space, rather than a food prep zone, you might want to go with pendants instead which function more like a general, ambient light rather than a focused, task light.
As a general rule, there should be about an 80cm space between the bottom of your pendant light and your island countertop. You will also want to make sure it doesn’t reflect any glare into your eyes while you sit by the island.<img alt="" data-caption="Pendant lights are great for illuminating an island used mainly for eating and gathering.
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Now that your kitchen is properly illuminated, consider adding accent lights to further boost the milieu of your cooking space. There are no precise rules to this one, so it really is all about what looks good.
If you have open shelves in lieu of top cabinets, wall sconces or wall-mounted, swinging arm lamps would serve as a great design element. A quirky, lone pendant by the side can also work to jazz up your space.<img alt="" data-caption="No top cabinets mean room for interesting wall-mounted light fixtures.
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Light Up Your Galley Kitchen, One Glow at a Time
Ever tried walking the tight corridors of a galley kitchen without a flicker of light? It’s like a version of “Where in the world am I?” during a dusk parade. Thankfully, toe‑kick lights wrapped in LED strips can bring that sparkle to every step you take.
Why This Meets Stylish and Practical
- Perfect for foot traffic: The subtle glow helps you navigate in the dim, making accidental foot‑gossip with the tiles a thing of the past.
- Ambient vibe: The LED’s gentle hue sets the mood—think a cozy campfire vibe right in your prep zone.
Float the Island
Drop some under‑the‑island lighting and watch the magic happen. The subtle LEDs can make your island feel like it’s hovering above the floor. It’s the kitchen version of a show‑stopper, proving that even a small island can feel like it’s on a cloud.
Chill on the Ceiling with Cove Lights
Love a subtle flourish of light that just drifts around the room? Cove lighting is your jam. These fixtures bounce off the ceiling giving a soft, diffused glow that drafts a dramatic atmosphere—perfect for those evenings when you’re cooking up a storm but still want your dishes to bask in stylish splendor.
Bottom Line
Integrate toe‑kick LED strips, island‑under lights, and a splash of cove lighting. The result: a galley kitchen that’s both practical and striking. Your kitchen isn’t just a place to cook; it’s a glimmering stage where every touch counts.
<img alt="" data-caption="This kitchen features cove lights in the ceiling as well as toe-kick lighting for that extra ambience.
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Light It Up, Light It Right!
When you’re on the hunt for kitchen bulbs, ditch the old-school incandescent or fluorescent suspects and tip your hat to LEDs. Sure, they may ask for a bit more cash up front, but they’ll pay you back in the long run – they’re way more energy‑savvy and can outlast the rest of the squad for months, even years.
Why LEDs are the real deal
- Energy efficiency – LEDs gobble up a fraction of the power when compared to their dial‑up cousins.
- Longevity – No more frantic bulb swaps when the light just sputters out.
- Eco‑friendly – Fewer replacements mean less waste.
Get the Golden Glow
Looking for that cozy kitchen vibe? Go for a colour temperature of about 2,700‑2,800 K. It delivers a warm, gentle light that feels almost natural—exactly what you need when whipping up a dinner or catching up with friends. Anything above 3,000 K might start feeling a bit too clinical, like a lab or a dentist office.
If you want accent lighting that adds a touch of “oomph”, pick bulbs that give off a warm hue in the 2,400 K range. This little tweak can turn a plain corner into a glowing highlight panel.
Quick Checklist Before You Buy
- Choose LEDs for the wallet and the planet.
- Set the temperature to 2,700‑2,800 K for your main lights.
- Pick a cooler 2,400 K for accent spots to create that extra charm.
That’s the scoop. Switch to LEDs, pick the right warmth for your kitchen, and enjoy a brighter, smarter, and more sustainable lighting setup—no more frantic bulb hunts or high electricity bills.
