How to Incorporate Modern Kitchen Lighting in The Home

Last updated: January 3, 2024

Raise your spatula if your kitchen is the heart of your home. Well, the right lighting can ensure that it’s a warm, welcoming environment, whether you’re prepping meals or offering homework help. Luckily, it’s easy to incorporate modern and up-to-date lighting that also matches your style. 

Continue reading as we answer some common modern kitchen lighting questions, as well as offer some of our favorite modern kitchen lighting ideas! 

Modern Kitchen Lighting FAQs

What is the best lighting for a modern kitchen?

In your kitchen—as in most spaces—you’ll want to curate a thoughtful combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting. These different types all blend together to create a well-lit and functional space. Ambient lighting, which is usually provided by ceiling fixtures or recessed lights, is the most literal way to “light up a room.” Then, by strategically placing task lighting over work areas (like countertops and stoves), you’ll be able to focus on more detail-oriented activities including chopping vegetables or preparing the perfect soufflé. Finally, accent lighting, such as pendant lights or track lighting, adds a decorative touch. You can use it to highlight specific features you love, like an island or a dining area.

What is kitchen task lighting?

Task lighting provides a focused, bright glow in places where you need to get things done. In the kitchen, this might mean wafer downlights that add extra illumination when you’re slicing, dicing, and prepping food. (Plus, we can all use a little extra help reading the tiny numbers on those measuring cups!) Task lighting is often installed under cabinets, over countertops, or above cooking surfaces—think anywhere that benefits from enhanced visibility.

When choosing fixtures for your task lighting, you should try to place direct light exactly where it’s needed to optimize your efficiency and safety. By illuminating specific work zones, kitchen task lighting helps create a more practical and enjoyable cooking environment.

What is the best lighting for a dark kitchen?

Under-cabinet lighting can be a really effective and efficient way to eliminate shadows and welcome some brightness into dark corners. Because these fixtures are usually out of sight, they don’t add visual clutter, but make a big difference in illumination. Decorative lighting or LED strip lights can also be used to highlight architectural features or special collections (Hello, China cabinet), and they contribute to a warm and cozy ambience.

What color lighting is best for a kitchen?

Generally, you’ll want to stick with warm white and neutral tones, which are typically measured in Kelvins (K). Try a color temperature that lands between 2700K and 4000K—you’ll see a nice balance between fashion and function.

Warm white light that has a color temperature around 3000K promotes a welcoming atmosphere because it resembles the glow of traditional incandescent bulbs. Neutral white light in the range of 3500K to 4000K would also work if you’re aiming for a cleaner, crisper look.  

Modern Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Pendant Lighting  

Add dimension to your space with dangling fixtures. Our Vintage Style Pendant Light Fixtures are a major upgrade over everyday wires. They fit standard bulbs, making them the perfect option for your kitchen island pendant needs. Because there are countless ways to customize, style, and express your personal taste, you can use them for a real showstopping moment. Try combining them with our Vintage Style LED bulbs to fulfill your craving for an elegant, timeless look. 

Kitchen Ceiling Light Fixtures

The type of overhead lighting you install has the potential to define your kitchen style. To keep your cooking space chic, consider modern kitchen ceiling lights for a refreshing upgrade. Whether you choose vintage charm with an oversized bulb or a modern look with a sleek flush fixture, the centerpiece of your kitchen decor can bring everyone together for a brilliant family feast.

Full Color Light Strips 

Line your bar area or open shelving with colorful LED strip lights. You can adjust them to match millions of different colors, like vibrant fuchsia or practical white. They’re also a great option for kitchen island lighting—add them under counters and cabinets for a clear path to midnight snacks.  

LED+ Speaker Bulbs 

If you like to multitask while meal prepping, add LED+ Speaker bulbs to your space. These Bluetooth-enabled lights also let you stream music, podcasts, or news through a high-quality sound system. For an at-home culinary class experience, connect and play your favorite recipe tutorial while you cook! Link several for surround sound or stick with one for a lower-key listening session. LED kitchen lighting has never sounded so good!  

Grow Lights

Modern spaces are all about sustainability. Show off your dedication to going green with an LED Grow Light, perfect for keeping houseplants and indoor gardens at peak freshness. Supplement your cooking with flavorful, home-grown ingredients, or liven up the heart of your home with gorgeous foliage and bright flowers. No matter how you set up your greenspace, the natural air filtration and deep earthy colors keep your kitchen looking modern. And with the help of a nourishing grow light, your plant pets will thrive.

Downlighting

For extra glean on stunning granite countertops, downlighting can offer a soft, subtle glow to food prep spaces. Downlights cast their glow directly below where they are installed for a focused illumination that adds drama without sacrificing functionality. Our smart wafer downlights provide an exciting opportunity for sleek lighting with full color capability to transform your space for any occasion. Another beautiful option—adding downlights above your kitchen table for a special spotlight on family gatherings.

Surface Mount Fixtures

Explore contemporary kitchen lighting with our Surface Mount Fixtures that you can match to your home’s hardware. Gorgeous Brushed Nickel or Gun Metal finishes add timeless accents to your interior design. Match them to your faucet for an ultra-detail-oriented décor.

Puck Fixtures

Try lighting from all angles with ambient glow from our Puck Fixtures. When placed within a China cabinet, they can help illuminate precious plate collections. Installing over an herb garden or fruit basket helps show off thriving sprigs and plump produce.

With so many options to choose from, we hope you’ll savor the opportunity to upgrade your kitchen with breathtaking, timeless lighting looks. Don’t forget to send us pics of your setup on social media (@GELighting)!