The best kitchen lighting ideas combine three light sources: bright general lighting on the ceiling, focused task lighting over the countertop, sink, and stove, and warm accent lighting that transforms the kitchen into a cozy living space in the evening. Keep these three layers on separate switches and, where possible, dimmable, so you can cook without shadows and then enjoy a calm, welcoming atmosphere. Below, we’ll show you how to light each area of your kitchen properly, which brightness and color temperature values make sense, and which lights look best with each kitchen style.
In short
- Plan for three layers: general lighting on the ceiling, task lighting over work areas, and accent lighting for atmosphere.
- Task lighting should be positioned between your head and the work surface so you don’t chop in your own shadow.
- Neutral white light around 4000 K for tasks, warmer light around 3000 to 3500 K for general lighting, and even warmer light for the evening.
- Pendant lights above an island or dining table are usually hung 70 to 85 cm above the surface.
- In France, the NF C15-100 standard governs electrical installations: new lighting points must be installed by a qualified electrician.
Table of contents
- Three lighting layers as the foundation of every kitchen
- Ideas for general lighting
- Task lighting for the countertop, sink, and stove
- Lighting above the kitchen island and dining table
- Accents: niches, shelves, and plinths
- Brightness, light color, and color rendering
- Dimming and lighting scenes throughout the day
- Ideas by kitchen type and style
- Safety and installation in France
- Kitchen lighting at Éclairage Déco
- Our approach to kitchen lighting
- Frequently asked questions about kitchen lighting
- Sources
Three lighting layers as the foundation of every kitchen
A kitchen is both a workspace and a living space. In the morning, it should help you wake up; at lunchtime, it should provide precise light for chopping and weighing; and in the evening, it should set the scene for a meal with friends. A single ceiling light can’t do all that, no matter how bright it is.
That’s why lighting designers work in layers. As EDF summarizes, experts from the French lighting association AFE distinguish between even main lighting on the ceiling, directional, often adjustable lighting for work areas, and diffuse mood lighting. Each layer has its own purpose, and together they create a kitchen that feels just right at any time of day.
The most important practical tip is to give each layer its own switch or circuit. That way, after cooking, you can switch off the bright task lighting and leave only the warm accent lights on, without plunging the kitchen into darkness.
Ideas for general lighting
General lighting helps you move safely around the room and see cabinets, floors, and corners clearly. It should illuminate the room evenly without casting harsh pools of light.
As a rule of thumb, Houzz France recommends around 5,000 to 10,000 lumens for general lighting, depending on the size of the space. A small kitchen can make do with the lower end of that range, while a large open-plan kitchen and living area needs several light sources to share the work.
A flush ceiling light, mounted close to the ceiling, is the most elegant solution in many kitchens. It takes up very little headroom, spreads its light widely, and is easy to clean. In long, narrow kitchens, two or three matching ceiling lights in a row look more balanced than one large light in the middle, because they carry the light to the ends of the room. In older apartments with high ceilings, the light can instead be a real focal point: a sculptural shade, a ring of light, or a frosted glass design that bathes the room in a soft glow.
Keep everyday kitchen use in mind when choosing materials. Steam and grease settle on every surface, so Houzz recommends easy-care materials such as glass and metal, which can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
Task lighting for the countertop, sink, and stove
This is where it becomes clear whether kitchen lighting really works. The classic problem: the ceiling light is behind you, you lean over the cutting board, and your own head casts a shadow right where the knife is working.
The solution is light that falls directly onto the worktop from the front or above, ideally mounted on the underside of the wall cabinets, between your head and the countertop. According to the EDF, the AFE recommends task-focused light sources with a neutral, daylight-like color and no glare. So make sure you are not looking directly into the light source while you work: an opal glass cover or a slightly recessed installation softens the light.
A separate light source above the sink is worthwhile, because you spend more time here than you might think. Where there are no wall cabinets, such as in front of a window, a slim wall light can do the job while adding a decorative accent to the wall. The range hood often has a light; check whether it is bright enough to see how brown the food is getting in the pan.
A lovely idea for kitchens without upper cabinets is wall lights with adjustable arms. They bring the light exactly where you need it and can be turned toward the wall after cooking, where they create indirect mood lighting.
Lighting above the kitchen island and dining table
Above the kitchen island and dining table, lights show their design potential. Pendant lights focus the light on the surface, structure an open space, and give it a focal point.
A tried-and-tested rule of thumb is to hang pendant lights about 70 to 85 cm above the work surface or island. This lights the surface without blocking your view of the person opposite you or making you look into the light source. Two or three pendants spaced evenly look harmonious above a long island; an odd number gives the arrangement a focal point. A single, slightly larger light is usually enough above a round dining table, spanning it like a warm canopy of light.
Where there is no ceiling connection above the table, a cordless table lamp is an elegant solution. It sits on the island or dining table, casts warm, intimate light, and can be taken out to the terrace for dinner. Especially in rental apartments where you don’t want to install new wiring, it creates that warm pool of light in just a few seconds, making an evening at the table feel cozy.
A decorative table lamp on a sideboard or at the end of the countertop also connects the kitchen and living area. In open-plan kitchens, it picks up shapes and materials from the living room, making both spaces feel like a cohesive whole.
Accents: niches, shelves, and plinths
Accent lighting is what turns a kitchen from a functional space into a living space. It doesn’t light the work, but the atmosphere.
Houzz France lists a range of ideas that work well together: lighting inside drawers and cabinets, a strip light beneath the kitchen island, warmly lit niches, and decorative wall lights. A strip light in the plinth makes the base cabinets appear to float and provides gentle guidance at night when you just want to get a glass of water. Open shelves with dishes, cookbooks, or ceramics gain depth with a slim light along the back wall or underside.
A wall light next to a window, above a bench, or on a bare wall brings light to eye level, and that is exactly where coziness begins. Light from the side shapes rooms more softly than light from above. Indirect accents work best when they can be switched and dimmed separately, so you can use them independently of task lighting.
Brightness, light color, and color rendering
Choosing the right light alone isn’t enough; the lighting levels must also suit the task. The following overview summarizes common recommendations.
| Lighting layer | Color temperature | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| General lighting | around 3000 to 3500 K | evenly distributed, around 5000 to 10,000 lumens depending on the area |
| Task lighting | around 4000 K, neutral white | directed at the surface, glare-free, good color rendering |
| Accent lighting | warm white | switchable separately, preferably dimmable |
The color temperature and lumen values are from Houzz France: neutral white at around 4000 K for task lighting; for general lighting, a warmer 3000 to 3500 K works well. The lower the Kelvin value, the more yellow and cozy the light appears.
Color rendering is often overlooked. The color rendering index, or CRI (Ra), indicates how naturally colors appear under a light source. For the kitchen, a value of at least 80, preferably 90 or higher is recommended, so tomatoes look red, herbs fresh green, and a steak properly browned. You’ll usually find the value on the bulb’s packaging or datasheet.
Dimming and lighting scenes throughout the day
A kitchen follows the rhythm of the day, and the lighting should too. With dimmable lights, you can easily switch between clear task lighting and a calm evening mood.
The industry initiative licht.de describes this approach as Human Centric Lighting: In the morning, brighter light with blue tones helps you get off to a good start; in the evening, warm, dimmed light prepares you to relax. You can achieve this with lights whose color temperature can be adjusted, or simply by combining several lights with different color temperatures depending on the time of day.
In practice, this gives you three scenes. For cooking, the general and task lighting are bright. For dining, the ceiling lights are dimmed, and the pendants over the table and a table lamp take over. Late in the evening, only the plinth, niche, and a wall light stay on, turning the kitchen into a quiet cocoon where you’re happy to linger over another glass of wine.
Ideas by kitchen type and style
Not every idea works in every kitchen. These examples will help you adapt the layers to your space.
Small kitchen and kitchenette
Every centimeter counts in small kitchens. Here, a slim flush-mount ceiling light with a wide beam angle replaces several spotlights, while a strip light under the wall cabinets does the work. Bright, matte surfaces reflect the light and make the room feel larger. A small cordless lamp on the windowsill adds an accent without taking up outlets you need for appliances.
Open-plan kitchen and living area
Here, cooking, dining, and living blend together. Define the space with light: pendant lights above the island mark out the kitchen, while a separate light above the dining table defines the dining area. Choose lights with a consistent design or material to create a cohesive look, and switch the kitchen and living-area lighting separately so the task lighting doesn’t shine onto the sofa in the evening.
Scandinavian, minimalist, or retro
A Scandinavian kitchen with light wood and white suits lights made of wood, opal glass, or white-painted metal with soft shapes. Minimalist kitchens call for discreet task lighting and a single, clean-lined light as a statement piece. A retro or country-style kitchen comes to life with brass, enamel, and ribbed glass, which give the warm light a golden glow.
Safety and installation in France
In France, residential electrical installations are governed by the NF C15-100 standard. According to information from Promotelec, it requires at least one lighting point per room and at least six outlets in kitchens larger than 4 m², four of them above the work surface. The 2024 version has been mandatory since September 2025. In addition, lighting circuits must be distributed across at least two residual-current devices.
For your planning, this means that if you want new ceiling outlets, hardwired light strips, or separate circuits, hire a qualified electrician, as Promotelec also recommends. It’s best to plan the switching groups before the kitchen is installed, while the walls are still open. Plug-in table lamps and cordless lights, on the other hand, can be set up yourself at any time.
Kitchen lighting at Éclairage Déco
At Éclairage Déco, you’ll find decorative lights that combine function and atmosphere: from low-profile ceiling lights for even ambient lighting to wall lights, as well as table and cordless lamps for the island, dining table, and windowsill. Browse our selection of ceiling lights for the kitchen or discover our atmospheric table lamps.
We deliver quickly across France, the entire EU, and Canada. Our customer service is available seven days a week, and with our satisfaction guarantee, you’ll get your money back if a light doesn’t suit your kitchen. For places without an electrical outlet, take a look at our cordless lamps.
Our approach to kitchen lighting
Many kitchens are planned with great care: cabinet fronts, countertops, handles. But when it comes to lighting, people often settle for a row of spotlights on the ceiling. The kitchen is bright, but it doesn’t feel like home.
We believe that decorative lighting in particular makes all the difference. Task lighting helps you cook comfortably. A beautifully shaped ceiling light, a wall light beside the window, and a small table lamp on the island make you want to spend time in the kitchen. Our lights are designed to bring both together: harmonious lighting and an object you’ll enjoy looking at, even when it’s switched off.
Our advice: Start with a light fixture you really like, then build the other layers around it. If you’re unsure which model will suit your space, write to us. We’re happy to help seven days a week.
Simon
Frequently asked questions about kitchen lighting
What is the best light color for a kitchen?
Neutral white light around 4000 K works well for work surfaces because it looks clear and close to daylight. General lighting can be warmer, at around 3000 to 3500 K, with even warmer accent lighting. The most flexible option is to use several light sources or lights with adjustable color temperature.
How high should pendant lights hang above a kitchen island?
A tried-and-tested guideline is 70 to 85 cm between the bottom of the light and the surface. This lights the island well without anyone looking directly into the bulb. If someone in your household is very tall, it can be hung a little higher.
Is one ceiling light enough for a kitchen?
For finding your way around, yes; for working, usually not, because you’ll cast a shadow over the work area. Supplement the ceiling light with lighting under the upper cabinets or a wall light above the work surface. Accent lighting also creates a pleasant evening atmosphere.
How do I light a kitchen without upper cabinets?
Wall lights above the work surface, a wall shelf with integrated lighting, or pendant lights above the work area can serve as under-cabinet lighting. Make sure the light falls onto the surface from the front. Cordless lamps complete the look without the need to install wiring.