Here are all the kitchen lighting mistakes I made when designing

The biggest lesson I learned from my kitchen remodel: The lighting scheme is just as important as the countertops, cabinets, and storage space, so don’t overlook it. Lighting makes the kitchen comfortable to use and ensures a stress-free experience. It also improves the functionality and aesthetics of the room and actually makes it more ergonomic.

Last year, when I was redesigning this space, I decided to invest a considerable amount of budget, time and resources into the “bigger” elements of the kitchen and I thought that a single pendant light over the counter and some spotlights would be enough. Without thinking about the design or consulting any professionals, I bought the lights (the cheapest ones too!). But over time I realized that my lighting scheme didn’t match the design of my new kitchen: the counters didn’t look as nice, you couldn’t see the real colors of the walls and the ambiance took over the space.

So, consider this a public service announcement. Check out these kitchen lighting mistakes I made and make sure to avoid them!

1. Choose only one light source

A kitchen with a ceiling light.

(Image credit: James Merrell)

Even if your kitchen gets plenty of natural light, I would say that choosing only one pendant or chandelier is a mistake. When I hung just one long, sturdy light fixture over the counter, I realized that at night that single light source created a lot of shadows and dark areas in the kitchen. After consulting with a designer friend, I realized that for a modern kitchen design, lighting should be layered and should have a combination of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.

A few months later, I decided to install wall mounted ceiling spotlights from Home Depot (cheap but very durable), under cabinet lighting, and also placed an Oyster table lamp from Urban Outfitters on my counter to give the space a curated, decorated look.

A long ceiling spotlight

A long and light bar

5 bar under cabinet LED lighting

A table lamp

2. Buying poor quality lights

A kitchen with lots of pendant lighting.

(Image credit: ANNA STATHAKI)

My mood board was all about materials and “aesthetics,” so I focused on choosing the right flooring for the kitchen and a nice, durable backsplash. I went pretty overboard with that and kept the budget for the lights pretty low. I chose lights from unknown retailers, and sure enough, two of them started malfunctioning within a few weeks.

Save yourself money and trouble and choose high-quality accessories from well-known brands. Today, you can find affordable options at a long list of retailers like Target, Walmart, and Crate & Barrel that have great options that will last a long time and won’t fail prematurely.

3. Forgetting to install work lights

A dark-hued kitchen illuminated with under-cabinet lighting.

(Image credit: Lindsay Reid. Design: Secter Architecture + Design)

As I mentioned before, the decision to install only one light in the kitchen meant that there were no effective task lights in my kitchen. Adding several low voltage lights to the kitchen island can help with lighting distribution and make chopping and cooking much easier. I love this linear light bar from Dazuma because it has a nice, minimalist look. Similarly, under cabinet lights can do the same thing, making the counter space easier to work on and even clean.

Also, keep in mind that you shouldn’t over-light the kitchen so that it doesn’t create too much glare. Ideally, you should use two or three light sources instead of more. This will prevent the room from becoming too bright, even if you keep all the lights on at once.

4. Buying accessories that don’t match

A kitchen with oversized island lights.

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

While I started redoing the lighting scheme a few months after the renovation, I realized that besides choosing effective light fixtures, it is also important to choose those that match the decor. Yes, if you have a kitchen with contemporary light fixtures, don’t choose lights that have a vintage design. The uneven look will hurt the aesthetics, and eventually, you will end up changing all the lights again.

A good way to choose light fixtures is to do a little research on kitchen lighting trends. There is certainly a trend right now towards brushed chrome light fixtures that not only look sleek, but also have a timeless quality. Even natural finishes like concrete and plaster are taking center stage in kitchen lighting.

5. Opt for practical lights instead of decorative ones.

A kitchen with a high ceiling and a long chandelier.

(Image credit: DAVIDE LOVATTI)

There is nothing wrong with choosing the prettiest, most sculptural lights for the kitchen, because it doesn’t have to be a purely practical space. I found this out the hard way. Mine is an open kitchen, and after the renovation, I realized that it naturally became more of a social area, as friends and family would casually walk by while I was cooking or preparing dishes. And at that point, my simple kitchen light fixtures and drab pendant lights weren’t adding to the aesthetics of the place. And the decorated dining room and the connected kitchen started to feel like two very different spaces.

I decided to add the Shoshanna metal chandelier from Birch Lane to give the small kitchen a grand look. I opted for beautiful island lights and invested in cute ceiling lights and bulbs for the kitchen. You will notice that these details will encourage you to spend more time here and soon this room will become a lovely “living room” extension in the house.

Long pendant lights

Modern black pendant lights (set of 3)

A kitchen chandelier

Modern 2-ring LED chandelier

wall sconce

What is the most common mistake regarding the number of lights used in the kitchen?

The kitchen needs to be well-lit, but that doesn’t mean you should go overboard with adding accessories to this room. Ideally, this space should feature one or two pendant lights over the island, some spotlights in the ceiling, and under-cabinet lights. If you want to make this room even more comfortable, consider adding accent lighting. These can be wall sconces with a dimmer switch that can be left on at night, as they can provide night light.

Should you have warm or cool lighting in the kitchen?

The answer is both. Since this room serves many functions, you will need lighting with both cool and warm tones. It is best to opt for cooler lighting under the kitchen cabinets and above the island as it will help you focus better on cooking tasks. Choose warm lighting for overhead spotlights that can help create a cozy atmosphere.

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