Light and Delicious: A Guide to Layered Kitchen Lighting

One of the most common design questions I get is:
"How do I use architectural lighting to make my kitchen feel both functional and beautiful?"

In this post, you’ll learn how to use layered kitchen lighting techniques—combining ambient, task, and accent lighting—to transform your kitchen renovation from good to unforgettable.

What Is Layered Lighting in a Kitchen?

Before you choose any fixtures, it’s essential to understand the foundation of great kitchen lighting: layers of light.

Every well-designed kitchen needs these three lighting layers:

Ambient lighting – General illumination for navigating the space
Task lighting – Focused lighting for cooking, prepping, and cleaning
Accent or sparkle lighting – Decorative or vertical illumination that creates warmth and interest

If you want a deeper dive into lighting layers, [check out this post] (insert link), but we’ll cover the essentials here.

Ambient Lighting: Start with Recessed Downlights

Ambient lighting creates the foundation of your kitchen lighting plan. Your ambient light is what makes the room feel completely visible and easy to navigate. In contemporary kitchen design, the most common way to achieve this is with recessed downlights.

Recessed Lighting Tips:

The following assumes a ceiling height of 8’ to 10’.

Light output: 800–1000 lumens per fixture
Aperture Size: 1”-3.5”
Spacing: 3–5 feet apart, adjusted to your room's dimensions
Beam spread: Use a 50° flood for even coverage
Color temperature: Choose 2700K–3000K for a warm, welcoming tone

Pro tip: Don’t place recessed lights too close (within 18”) to cabinets or walls. Doing so causes "scalloping"—scoops of light on vertical surfaces.

Once ambient lighting is in place, you’ll be able to move safely and comfortably through the space. But don’t stop there.

Task Lighting: Under Cabinet Lighting That Works

Under cabinet lighting is essential for functional, professional-grade kitchens. It eliminates shadows on countertops and provides both utility and ambiance.

Best Practices for Under Cabinet Lighting:

Choose frosted lenses to minimize harsh reflections on glossy tile backsplashes
Position the light near the front edge of the cabinet for full counter coverage
Avoid bare LED diodes, which create distracting reflections and pixelation.

Well-designed task lighting ensures your counters are bright and usable—whether you’re meal prepping or enjoying a midnight snack. There are line voltage and low voltage fixtures for undercabinet lighting. Choosing which is right, really depends on the power situation in the kitchen.

Don’t forget the toe-kick detail; this is a great way to make the cabinetry “float,” and it makes for a beautiful nightlight.

Add Decorative Lighting for Sparkle and Vertical Illumination

This is the final layer of a great kitchen lighting plan—and it’s the one that makes the space come alive.

What do we mean by Sparkle?

The fixtures don’t need to sparkle literally (unless you’re into that). These are really just decorative sources that draw your eye. Think:

Pendant lighting over the kitchen island
Chandeliers
Wall sconces

These not only light the space but also add personality and elegance.

What is Vertical Illumination?

Vertical illumination refers to lighting that gently illuminates faces and vertical surfaces. It helps counteract the clinical feel of overhead-only lighting. Selecting pendants or chandeliers you love that cast a warm glow outward will cast soft light around the room, making the kitchen feel warm and inviting.

Pro-Tip for Creating Sparkle

You can also create sparkle by lighting glass-front cabinets to highlight dishware or décor. Just make sure to:

Use hidden linear LED strips
Avoid visible diodes
Coordinate installation with your cabinet maker or millworker

Why Dimming Is Essential for Kitchen Lighting

Even the most beautiful kitchen lighting setup will feel flat without dimming control.

Here’s why dimmers matter:

You’ll want brighter light in the morning, especially in winter months
Evening meals feel best under soft, warm light
Dimming lets you adjust each lighting layer—ambient, task, and sparkle—to fit your mood or activity

Whether you use traditional wall dimmers or a smart lighting system, the ability to fine-tune your kitchen’s lighting levels is what brings it all together.

Final Thoughts on Lighting Your Kitchen

A successful kitchen isn’t just about good appliances or beautiful tile—it’s about how it feels. Layered lighting brings warmth, function, and visual interest to your space.

To recap:

Use recessed lighting for your ambient layer
Choose thoughtful under cabinet lighting for task work
Add pendants, sconces, or cabinet lighting for sparkle and vertical glow
Always include dimming to control the mood

Designing a great kitchen lighting plan takes a little planning—but the results are worth it.