The Best Ceiling Lights To Brighten Up Your Kitchen

With so many options for kitchen lighting these days, it can be tricky to determine the best ceiling lights for your space. The right fixtures can make cooking safer and easier, while also adding beauty and style to your kitchen.

Kitchen ceiling lights not only provide general illumination, but also offer task lighting over key work zones. Recessed can lights are ideal for overall ambient lighting. Decorative pendants work beautifully over islands and sinks. Flexible track lighting delivers specialized task lighting. And under cabinet lights provide directed work area illumination. By layering different types of ceiling lights, you can design a kitchen lighting plan that meets both practical needs and aesthetic vision.

Recessed/Can Lighting: The Workhorse of Kitchen Ceiling Lights

Recessed downlights, also known as can lights due to their can-like housings, are extremely popular for kitchen ceiling lighting. These fixtures get installed into the ceiling and provide bright, focused light perfect for general illumination. Can lights come in a range of different sizes, trim styles, beam angles, and finishes to work in any kitchen decor.

Benefits of Using Recessed Ceiling Lights in the Kitchen

There are several key benefits that make recessed can lights a top choice for kitchen ceiling lighting:

• Provide powerful, even illumination throughout the kitchen
• Highly versatile for ambient lighting, task lighting, or accent lighting
• Wide selection of trims/lenses to control light spread
• Available in numerous finishes like white, black, bronze, etc.
• Can be installed in grids or rows for uniform lighting

How to Place and Layout Recessed Lighting

Proper placement and layout of recessed ceiling lights ensures your kitchen is brightly and evenly lit. Here are some key recommendations:

• Space recessed lights every 3-4 feet for even illumination
• Install in grid or linear patterns for uniform lighting
• Use recessed lighting to wash entire ceiling and walls with light
• Combine with pendants and under cabinet lighting for task areas
• Use different trims and beam spreads for ambient vs. task lighting

Choosing Recessed Fixtures and Bulbs

With recessed lighting, you'll need to select the actual can housings along with the trim and bulbs. Key factors to consider include:

• New construction vs. remodeling cans based on installation type
• Insulation contact (IC) rating for covered ceilings
• Beam angle of flood (60-90 degrees) or spot (25-45 degrees)
• Color temperature from soft white (2700K) to daylight (5000K+)
• Dimmable and LED for efficiency and lighting control

Cost of Recessed Lighting

In terms of budget, recessed can fixtures themselves range from $10-$75 each depending on features. Professional installation costs around $150 per light. The total for a full kitchen recessed lighting system may be $1,000-$3,000. While not cheap, the bright illumination and energy savings from LED cans provide excellent return on investment.

Pendant Lights: Illuminate Islands, Sinks, and Tables

Nothing jazzes up a kitchen quite like pendant lighting. These hanging ceiling lights add style while also providing close-up illumination for key tasks. Mini-pendants in particular have become a staple kitchen lighting element, but larger statement pendants have their place too.

Benefits of Pendant Ceiling Lights

Some top reasons to install pendant lighting in your kitchen include:

• Provide both ambient and task oriented illumination
• Perfect centered lighting over islands, sinks, and tables
• Wide variety of styles from modern to farmhouse
• Usually used along with recessed ceiling lighting
• Adds style and decor to your kitchen's look

Placement Tips for Kitchen Pendant Lights

Optimizing pendant placement is key to getting the most out of these lights. Recommendations include:

• Hang a single pendant over islands, sinks, and tables
• Use 3-5 mini pendants over wider sections like kitchen peninsulas
• Mount pendants 30-36 inches above the counter or tabletop
• Allow proper clearance from bottom cabinets for pendant height

Choosing Pendant Fixtures and Bulbs

With an endless variety of pendant styles and options, selecting the right lights comes down to your kitchen's decor and lighting needs. Considerations include:

• Materials like metal, glass, fabric, and wood
• Shapes like drum, bowl, bell, orb, or other creative forms
• Cord length and height adjustability
• Matching bulb base, shape, and wattage ratings
• Dimmable LED for efficiency and lighting control

Pendant Lighting Costs

Pendant light fixtures range widely in price from $50-$500 based on size, materials, and features. Hiring an electrician is advisable for installation, adding $100-$250 per light. But overall, pendant lighting delivers tons of aesthetic value for reasonable cost in kitchens.

Track Lighting: Direct Illumination for Tasks

Track lighting provides a linear lighting system of adjustable spotlights perfect for targeted task illumination. The track heads can be aimed precisely where needed. While less common than recessed or pendants, track lighting has its place in contemporary and modern kitchen designs.

Benefits of Track Lighting

Here are some top advantages of installing track lighting in the kitchen:

• Very flexible and adjustable task lighting
• Spotlights can be aimed exactly where needed
• Low voltage options are energy efficient
• Modern, industrial look fits some decor styles

Track Lighting Layout Tips

Proper placement is crucial for track lighting to be effective. Recommendations include:

• Running track parallel over countertops, islands, cabinets
• Spacing adjustable track heads every 18-24 inches
• Combining track with recessed lighting for task + ambient

Selecting Track Heads and Rail

With track lighting, you'll need to choose spotlights and the actual track rail. Key considerations are:

• Fixed vs. adjustable spotlight heads
• MR16 halogen vs. integrated LED spotlights
• Number of lighting circuits needed
• Finish and length of the track rail

Cost of Track Lighting

Track lighting starts around $50 for simple systems but can run $500 or more with extra features. Professional installation of track lighting may add $200 or more on top of fixture costs. It's one of the more expensive options but provides specialized illumination.

Under Cabinet Lights: Focused Task Lighting

Under cabinet lighting provides close-up task illumination right where you need it most. LED tape lights and puck lights install underneath wall cabinets to brightly light countertops and work zones.

Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting

Some top advantages of under cabinet lighting include:

• Bright, focused lighting on kitchen countertops
• Very energy efficient, especially LED tape
• Discreet and hidden from view when not on
• Great complement to ambient ceiling lights

Under Cabinet Layout Recommendations

Proper under cabinet lighting placement is key. Ideas include:

• Installing under upper cabinets to illuminate work zones
• Placing over key kitchen tasks areas like islands and peninsulas
• Using to supplement general lighting for food prep areas

Choosing Under Cabinet Fixtures

For under cabinet lights, key considerations include:

• LED tape vs. puck lights
• Hardwired electrical or plug-in installation
• Lumen output, beam angle, color temperature

Cost of Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting starts as low as $20 for plug-in LED puck lights but $150+ for hardwired professional installation. LED tape kits cost $100-$200. Well worth it for the task lighting power of under cabinet lights.

Smart Kitchen Ceiling Lighting Options

Today's kitchen lights can pack in advanced features for automation and lighting control. Some top options include:

• Dimmers - Allow manual light level control
• Occupancy sensors - Automate lighting based on room occupancy
• Tunable white LEDs - Change color temperature
• Smart switches - Enable app and voice control

Extra Kitchen Ceiling Lighting Tips

Here are some final helpful tips for planning out your kitchen ceiling lighting:

• Layer ambient, task, and accent lighting for versatility
• Balance overall and focused task illumination
• Mind required cabinet clearances and ventilation needs
• Also include portable lighting like table and floor lamps
• Consult kitchen designers for large or complex lighting plans
• Review local building codes for any requirements

The ceiling is the perfect canvas for creating both beautiful and functional kitchen illumination. Recessed can lights, attractive pendants, targeted track lighting, and under cabinet lights each serve distinct roles. Combining fixtures provides the layering needed for safety and visual comfort.

As you remodel or upgrade the lighting in your kitchen, focus on selecting energy efficient LED fixtures that will provide bright illumination for years to come. And invest the necessary time planning layouts and placements tailored to how your kitchen is used. With the right ceiling lighting in place, you can look forward to many enjoyable evenings and meals under the glow of your perfectly lit kitchen.