The kitchen is the central gathering place for many families and one of the most popular rooms to remodel. One thing often overlooked when designing a new kitchen is lighting. You want to adjust your lighting to the moment: cooking light may be brighter than entertaining light, which is different again from late-night light. These are the five types of lighting to consider in your next kitchen remodel.

Ceiling lighting

Recessed ceiling lights are the best way to illuminate the whole room. Install them 12 to 18 inches from your upper cabinets to properly light the countertops, run them along your work areas and space them evenly across the ceiling. We recommend 4- or 6-inch fixtures in white so they blend into the ceiling.

Task lighting

Under-cabinet lighting illuminates your countertops so you can easily read recipes and measure ingredients. Plug-in fixtures can be added later, but if you want them hardwired, decide before the cabinets are installed so your electrician can plan for it.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting is a great way to highlight your nicer serveware. Puck lights are the most popular option, installed at the top of glass-front cabinets or under open shelves.

Pendant lighting

Pendants are a popular way to highlight islands and peninsulas, especially those with seating. Hang them roughly 30 to 36 inches above the countertop, taking ceiling height and sight lines into account.

Ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is ideal to leave on overnight, giving just enough light for a late-night snack without lighting the whole space. It tends to be warm white (2700K to 3000K). A light strip above the cabinets is a popular choice. If your cabinets go to the ceiling, accent and task lights can double as ambient lighting.

Don't forget dimmers

Dimmers make it easy to switch between task and ambient lighting. LED strips can even be controlled by remote, phone or smart home hub. Pendants on dimmers are helpful too: brighter for cooking, softer for dining. Finally, decide whether you want fixtures to blend into the design or make a statement, and think about where you want guests' attention to go when they walk in. Our design team can help you make the most of your space, including lighting.