Summary
Kitchen lighting is organized zone by zone, from the ceiling to the countertop: each fixture meets precise technical and stylistic requirements, depending on the configuration and desired ambiance.
Kitchen lighting: choosing the right lighting from ceiling to countertop
A well-designed kitchen never relies on a single light source. To properly light the room, you need to combine general lighting, targeted lighting for the countertop, and, depending on the desired ambiance, decorative lighting that structures the space without hindering daily use.
This logic applies as much to a large open-plan room as to a small kitchen. As detailed in this designer kitchen lighting guide, the choice between pendant, ceiling light, or recessed spotlights always depends on traffic flow, volume, and the areas to be lit.
Ceiling kitchen lighting: which fixture for which configuration?
Ceiling kitchen lighting forms the basis of the project. A single central fixture often creates shadows on the countertop and reduces visual comfort, especially when working facing the linear counter or sink.
In practice, opt for a distribution with multiple light points. A ceiling light provides broad diffusion, while recessed kitchen spotlights or other integrated elements reinforce useful areas with more consistent brightness.
- Classic ceiling light: suitable for general lighting, it diffuses a homogeneous light throughout the room; it is often found in black metal or chrome in standard-sized kitchens.
- Recessed kitchen spotlights: adjustable, they direct light where it is needed and limit glare above the sink, hob, or preparation area.
- Pendant light above the island: placed between 70 and 80 cm from the countertop, it combines utility and visual presence; on an island, several small kitchen pendants illuminate more evenly than a single large model.
- Wall sconces: in addition to the ceiling light, they reinforce certain areas and reduce residual shadows, particularly near a dining area or a wall that is not well lit.
For low ceilings, recessed models are preferred in spaces where every inch counts. Small spotlights are very suitable for a small kitchen, as they visually lighten the overall space without sacrificing efficiency.
Bulb wattage for kitchen: lumens, lux and LED technology
Bulb wattage for kitchens is no longer measured in watts, but in luminous flux. Lumens are what allow us to estimate the light actually provided by each fixture, and therefore the correct level of brightness in each area.
LED kitchen lighting has now become dominant in the market since February 2023. It replaces halogen lamps and low-energy lamps, while consuming up to ten times less than an incandescent bulb for equivalent brightness.
The choice depends on the base and the use. E27 is suitable for large screw bases, E14 for thinner formats, GU10 for 220V kitchen spotlights, and GU5.3 for low-voltage recessed spotlights.
| Zone | Minimum recommended level | Color temperature | Common base |
| Worktop | 500 lux minimum | ≥ 4,000 K (neutral to cool white) | GU10, GU5.3 |
| General lighting | 300 lux | 3,200 to 4,000 K | E27, E14 |
| Dining area / ambiance | 150 to 200 lux | 2,200 to 3,200 K (warm white) | E27 |
| Under-cabinet (LED strip) | 400 to 500 lux | ≥ 4,000 K | LED strip (IP44) |
The number of lumens needed in a kitchen is therefore determined by adding up the requirements, and not by a single bulb placed in the center.
LED strip and warm white: illuminating the worktop without shadows
Under wall cabinets, the logic changes. Under wall cabinets, light must reach the countertop from the front, at a height of about 40 cm, to avoid cast shadows during preparation.
LED strips are particularly well suited for this use: their diffusion is linear, discreet, and regular. Once the shade is chosen, you can reserve warm white for dining areas and maintain a more neutral light above the countertop for greater visual precision.
Any under-cabinet light fixture must have an IP44 rating against water splashes. In addition, dimmable lamps or modules allow the intensity to be adjusted between functional use and a softer ambiance, provided compatibility with the dimmer is checked.
Designer kitchen lighting: 2025 trends and combination tips
In 2025, kitchen luminaires will feature clean lines and clear materials: smoked glass, steel, brushed aluminum, wood, or aged brass.
Above an island or a table, kitchen pendant lights set the tone. Conversely, a chandelier is mostly suitable for more decorative compositions, while a wall sconce can highlight a wall or dining area without overpowering the ceiling.
This is where customization makes perfect sense: the LED kitchen pendant light offered by Olibam is available in black + amber or black + clear finishes, with customizable dimensions, adjustable cable, and adjustable intensity. It is suitable for covering 5 to 12 m² at 110-240 V, with a strong presence above an island or table.
In a similar but more structured interpretation, the Hilda LED kitchen pendant light features the same steel and glass combination with the same finishes, while also offering free delivery, a two-year warranty, and complimentary cable extension within two weeks. Once the project is validated, Olibam provides online expert support to confirm choices before manufacturing.
Frequently asked questions
What type of lighting should I choose for a kitchen?
In a kitchen, effective lighting is built on two levels. First, general ceiling lighting to structure the room: ceiling light, pendant, chandelier, or recessed spotlights depending on available height and traffic flow. Second, targeted lighting for active areas, particularly the worktop and island.
In addition, kitchen ceiling lights distributed over several points limit the shadows that a single fixture often creates. An LED strip under wall cabinets, a wall sconce or wall lights near a free wall, and well-placed kitchen lamps refine daily use. Kitchen chandeliers are better suited for a large room with a dining area, while small recessed spotlights and recessed models are preferred in spaces with low ceilings.
What color temperature should be preferred in a kitchen?
Color temperatures are not set the same everywhere. In preparation areas, a neutral to cool white light above 4,000 K helps to see well and more faithfully renders food colors, especially with lamps that have a good CRI.
Conversely, the dining area better supports a warm white tone, between 2,200 and 3,200 K, to maintain a softer ambiance. The choice comes down to consistency: it is better to maintain the same logic per functional zone than to multiply visually discordant sources in kitchen lighting.
How to position kitchen lamps correctly to avoid shadows?
For proper lighting, light must come from the front. On the preparation surface, spotlights placed behind the person working immediately cast a bothersome shadow, whereas spotlights oriented forward make the action more precise.
In practice, opt for recessed ceiling spotlights with a beam directed towards the worktop, positioned in front of the usual work area. A pendant light above the island works well when placed between 70 and 80 cm above the surface: low enough to be useful, high enough to remain visually comfortable.
As soon as certain corners remain dark, indirect lighting takes over appropriately. Complementary, discreet, and well-oriented sources can illuminate these areas without visual clutter.