How to light a kitchen: everything you need to know
Light is a fundamental element in modern kitchen design: it defines the character of the space, allows every task to be carried out with precision and transforms the kitchen into a welcoming, warm and convivial environment in which to spend different moments throughout the day.
Planning the lighting means developing a complete lighting scheme that goes far beyond the simple choice—however important—of an attractive pendant light. The project should create a genuine system that considers every interaction between light, architecture, furnishings and everyday routines. Every detail must therefore be taken into account: from the natural light entering through the windows to the arrangement of the furniture, from the activities carried out in each area to the atmosphere you wish to create.
In this guide, we will explore how to coordinate different light sources to create a space that is always perfectly illuminated.
Table of contents
Light sources within the space
To create a harmonious environment, one of the most effective approaches is layered lighting, which involves combining different levels of illumination. A complete lighting scheme never relies solely on a single central light source, but incorporates both direct lighting for specific areas and indirect lighting to diffuse brightness and establish the desired atmosphere. This combination allows the kitchen to adapt to every occasion, from preparing dinner to enjoying a relaxing evening.
- Direct lighting illuminates a surface or object in a focused way. Examples include LED strips beneath wall units above the worktop, pendant lights or chandeliers positioned over an island or table, and lighting integrated inside cabinetry.
- Indirect lighting, on the other hand, is softer and more enveloping. During the day, natural light fulfils this role, while after dark it can be replaced by recessed linear lighting within plasterboard, recessed spotlights or wall lights.
Internal cabinet lighting
Illuminating the inside of wall units, drawers, tall units and open shelving is a design detail that adds depth, atmosphere and remarkable practicality to the kitchen.
When a cabinet door or drawer is opened, internal lighting makes its contents immediately visible and eliminates dark corners. In display cabinets or open compartments, meanwhile, integrated lighting turns plates, glasses and utensils into decorative features, creating intriguing perspectives with an elegant visual effect.
Choosing the style of light fittings
Every light source is also part of the interior design. A pendant light, wall light or spotlight is a design element in its own right and contributes to defining the style of the kitchen. Its selection should therefore be consistent with the overall aesthetic of the project.
In a modern kitchen, for example, concealed spotlights, linear recessed lighting and technical metal pendant lights are common choices. In a more classic or rustic environment, wrought-iron chandeliers, ceramic wall lights or vintage lanterns may be preferred. Consistency extends beyond form to materials and colours: brushed brass finishes can echo the handles of the wall units, while a coloured fabric cable can pick up a shade featured in the tiles.
Light levels and colour temperature
When considering lighting, two factors are particularly important: quantity and colour temperature. The quantity of light is measured in lumens and indicates the intensity of the luminous flux. For a kitchen, an overall illuminance of approximately 300–400 lux (total lumens ÷ m2) is generally recommended, which translates into roughly 3,000–5,000 lumens. This is an indicative value that should always be considered in relation to the size of the room, the dimensions of the windows, the colours of the walls and furnishings—darker shades absorb more light—and the atmosphere you wish to achieve.
Colour temperature, meanwhile, describes the tone of the light, which may be warm, neutral or cool. For general lighting and the dining area, warm light (2700–3000 K) is suitable for creating a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere, whereas working areas such as the worktop and sink benefit from neutral or cooler light of approximately 4000–5000 K. Choosing the colour temperature of kitchen lighting therefore helps define the atmosphere, establish the appropriate level of illumination and create specific visual effects.
Finally, the Colour Rendering Index (CRI) should also be considered. This indicates how accurately a light source reproduces the colours of objects. In the kitchen, where the appearance and colour of food are particularly important, light sources with a CRI of 90 or above are the optimal choice, although a CRI above 80 is generally sufficient for domestic environments.
Lighting the worktop
The worktop is the kitchen surface on which food is cut, prepared and cooked. For this reason, dedicated worktop lighting is essential for working efficiently and safely. The primary objective is to eliminate the shadows cast onto the surface by our own bodies, ensuring excellent visibility across every part of the worktop.
The most effective and widely used solution is LED strip lighting integrated beneath the wall units. Positioned along the entire length of the worktop, LED strips provide uniform, direct and powerful illumination without causing glare. Ideally, this light source should cover the food preparation area, cooking zone and sink, where maximum visibility and attention are required.
The extractor hood also plays an important role. Modern models incorporate dedicated LED lighting systems designed to illuminate the hob correctly.
Lighting social areas: table, island and peninsula
Lighting for the dining table, island or peninsula should be specifically designed for these areas, as they are the convivial heart of the kitchen, where people gather for a quick breakfast, a family lunch or dinner with friends. Here, lighting needs to be versatile: functional during food preparation, yet warm and atmospheric during moments spent together.
For this reason, pendant lights and adjustable spotlights are commonly used to illuminate and enhance these surfaces. They may take the form of a single large statement piece or a composition of several smaller light sources, depending on the style and dimensions of the area below.
Positioning them at the correct height is essential: low enough to illuminate the surface effectively without causing discomfort to those seated around it, yet high enough not to obstruct the view across the space.
Lighting an open-plan space
When designing an open-plan living area, the lighting scheme encompassing both the kitchen and living space becomes even more important. The challenge is twofold: on the one hand, lighting should establish a sense of continuity and visual harmony throughout the interior; on the other, it should distinguish and give character to the different functional areas.
The key is to create a flexible layered lighting system, with separate controls for the different areas. This makes it possible to concentrate most of the illumination in the area currently in use while creating different lighting scenarios throughout the remaining spaces. In this way, light becomes the common thread connecting the different areas with refinement and elegance.
Conclusion
Designing kitchen lighting is a multifaceted process based on both calculations and emotions. There is no single solution: the final result emerges from the combination of different light sources, some functional and others atmospheric, the careful selection of light levels and colour temperature, and a stylistic consistency that encompasses the entire space.
Every kitchen should be conceived not simply as a collection of furniture, but as a space to be experienced at every moment of the day. For this reason, at Berloni we devote particular attention to the integration of lighting solutions that work in perfect harmony with the selected materials while highlighting the finer details of the design.
Book an appointment with our designers to create a project in which the lighting is designed around you.
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