A small kitchen can be tricky to design, but lighting is key to making it functional and feel larger. The right lights will help you cook safely, read recipes easily, and make the space feel bigger. Good lighting helps with everything from precise cutting to casual meals. A mix of bright task lights and softer ambient lighting can turn a cramped kitchen into a practical, comfortable space that works for all your daily needs.
Types of Lighting for Small Kitchens
Ambient Lighting: Illuminate the Entire Space
Overhead fixtures offer your kitchen's primary lighting. A flush-mounted ceiling light is a great option for rooms with low ceilings, and recessed lights are mounted into the ceiling so they don't protrude. These lights give off a soft, general light throughout the room, filling in shadows and lighting up the whole room. Ambient lighting forms the foundation of your kitchen lighting plan.
Task Lighting: Brighten Work Areas
Bright, focused light is needed for activities like cutting vegetables or reading recipes. Under-cabinet LED strips light up countertops directly where you're working, eliminating shadows that overhead lighting may create. For sinks or islands, slim pendant lights provide focused light without taking up much space. Task lighting enhances both comfort and safety in the kitchen.
Accent Lighting: Add Style and Function
LED light strips that are thin can highlight design features in your kitchen, like an ornamental backsplash or open shelving. Track lighting is also an option - you can move each light precisely where you want. These accent lights add style and more light to your kitchen.
Your small kitchen's best lighting plan will include all three types. Start with generous overhead lighting, add task lighting to work areas, and finish with accent lights to show off your kitchen's personality. Let's explore some specific fixtures that will enable you to achieve each of these lighting goals while saving space.
Space-Saving Light Fixtures for Small Kitchens
Your small kitchen requires fixtures that provide great lighting without taking up valuable space. These are the best choices:
Recessed Can Lights: For Low Ceilings
Recessed lights are a popular choice in modern kitchens. These lights are flush-mounted into the ceiling, creating a sleek, unobtrusive look. Especially useful for kitchens with low ceilings, they don’t protrude or make the space feel cramped. They are small and discreet, yet fit any kitchen style.
Mini Pendant Lights: For Islands and Breakfast Bars
Mini pendant lighting features slim, narrow designs without bulk. Such slender fixtures can be used above islands or sinks and offer task lighting while keeping your lines of sight open. With designs as narrow as 3-4 inches, these minimalist fixtures keep your kitchen looking neat and uncluttered.
LED Strip Lights: For Under-Cabinet Work Areas
These adaptable lights are now available in two handy versions. Battery-powered strips have hassle-free installation without wiring - ideal for renters. Plug-in models ensure steady, constant light and frequently feature dimming capabilities. Both types fit unobtrusively under your cabinets, illuminating your counters without taking up any additional space.
Track Light Systems: For Multi-Zone Workspaces
Track lights, installed close to the ceiling, feature swivel heads that allow you to direct light exactly where it’s needed—whether over a cooking area, sink, or display shelves. Modern systems have slim profiles that fit perfectly in small kitchens and can easily be adjusted to accommodate changing needs.
Flush Mount Fixtures: For Central Kitchen Areas
Flush mount lights are a great choice for central areas of your kitchen. These fixtures sit close to the ceiling, allowing you to pass freely without having to duck. Newer models offer slim designs with powerful illumination, providing ample light while saving headroom.
A careful choice of these fixtures will transform your small kitchen into a bright, effective room where each square foot is maximally used.
4 Design Tricks to Make Your Small Kitchen Look Bigger
After choosing the right fixtures, here are specific techniques to maximize your kitchen's visual space:
1. Install Glass Tiles Behind Counters
Glass or glossy tile backsplashes create a mirror effect, helping to reflect light and make your kitchen feel larger. Large-format glass tiles (12”×24”) or small mirror tiles are ideal for this effect, especially between countertops and upper cabinets, as they reflect both natural and artificial light.
2. Paint Upper Cabinets White
Painting your upper cabinets white or off-white, while keeping the lower cabinets in a light neutral shade, creates a two-tone look that draws the eye upward. This technique opens up the space and gives the illusion of height. For the best result, match the color of the upper cabinets to your ceiling color to create a seamless transition.
3. Place Lights at Three Heights
Install lights at three different heights - ceiling, wall, and counter. For example: ceiling recessed lights, eye-level sconces, and under-cabinet lighting at counter height. This layering of light creates depth and dimension, making the space feel more expansive.
4. Add Uplights in Corners
Position small uplights in kitchen corners or add LED strips above higher cabinets. This vertical lighting strategy makes lower ceilings feel taller by casting bright columns of light that focus attention upward. The effect is most pronounced when your ceiling is a light, reflective color.
These strategies reinforce one another to create a more open-sensing kitchen. The secret lies in combining them wisely - start with one or two methods that suit your space and budget.
Light Up Your Small Kitchen!
To create a bright and functional kitchen, start with basic ceiling lighting. Add under-cabinet lights and streamlined pendant fixtures for focused illumination during cooking and other tasks. Smart design choices, such as glass tiles and light-colored paint, will make your small kitchen feel larger. Space-efficient fixtures like recessed lights and slim pendants provide ample light without taking up valuable space. For greater control, choose dimmable lights to adjust lighting throughout the day, enhancing your kitchen’s efficiency and atmosphere.