KITCHEN LIGHTING AND CEILING DESIGN 101
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO KITCHEN CEILINGS.
Transforming your kitchen with the right lighting and ceiling design can turn an ordinary room into a masterpiece of function and style. Let's dive into how to brighten up your kitchen space effectively, making it a place where cooking is not just a chore, but a delightful experience.
01. Natural light is a game-changer.
First off, never underestimate natural light. Natural light is a game-changer. Big windows or a skylight can make your kitchen feel like a sunny day, every day. It's not just about adding a few lamps here and there; it's about creating an ambiance that enhances your space's mood and functionality. Think of installing skylights or optimizing window placements to flood your kitchen with sunshine, making every meal prep a sunny delight. It’s like having a bit of the outdoors, indoors!
Skylights are among my favorite additions to any kitchen. They create a remarkable opportunity to bring the outdoors in. A skylight also creates a dynamic atmosphere that changes with the day. This is often easier than it sounds and is my number one go-to move if there is not a second floor above your kitchen. Have the GC look to see which way the rafters/joists are running and fit one in between or have it re-framed to a larger opening. Trust me, it’s worth it!
PRO TIP:
• A skylight can be framed up higher than the ceiling line, at the roofline, like you see below to save on costs.
02. Recessed Cans:
We love a clean look. Aesthetically, it’s my preference to hide light sources as much as possible. Hiding light sources lets your decorative fixtures shine. Picture a kitchen where the glow is the star, thanks to cleverly concealed lights. Transition from outdated, bulky fixtures to sleek, modern ones. Remember, smaller, more subtle lighting can have a huge visual impact without overwhelming the space. Lighting with a beautiful, natural glow puts fixtures such as chandeliers, sconces, and sculptural accents center stage. Keep recessed can lighting as simple as possible. Choose styles with plain trim and no baffle. I recommend adding under cabinet lighting to your upper cabinets. Under cabinet lighting is also a key element for any kitchen refresh or renovation.
Hiding light sources lets your decorative elements shine.
PRO-TIPS:
• Taking the old lighting out will open up opportunities for a new ceiling design.
• When left to their own devices, contractors often go crazy with canned lighting. You’ve been warned. Avoid over-lighting your ceiling.
03. Ceiling's The Limit:
Your ceiling doesn't have to be boring. Whether it's coffered, beamed, or has that fabulous skylight, it plays a vital role in setting your kitchen's character. Pay attention to it as much as you do to your floors or walls. Ceilings compose one-third of the visual space in any room. Don’t ignore them! I have included some great images of kitchen designs I found online here by some wonderful designers. Be aware of how much time you spend looking at the ceiling in the images. It’s pretty major, isn’t it?
Wood, Coffered, or Vaulted: Ceilings That Speak.
Chango
Wooden ceilings add warmth, coffered ceilings bring depth, and vaulted ceilings open up your kitchen like no other. These choices can transform your kitchen from just another room to the heart of your home. Wood ceilings are among my favorite design solutions to warm up a space. Using wood flooring on the ceiling is a fairly inexpensive update. Coffered ceilings are very popular these days. A coffered ceiling can be done in many different styles. Vaulted ceilings are wonderful if you have a roofline that is angled or pitched, which will create a taller volume inside than the average 8’ or 9’ interior ceiling. Installing faux beams can add powerful architecture.
Arent & Pyke
Chango Co.
04. Lighting as Jewelry:
Updating lighting fixtures is among the quickest renovations one can make. Your lighting fixtures is like accessorizing your favorite outfit—it can completely change the look and feel. When it comes to lighting design, the rule is opposites attract. If your home is traditional, add clean lines for an instant, up-to-date lift. To warm up a modern interior, look for more lavish, detailed finds. Mix styles, materials, and eras for a kitchen that’s uniquely yours. From statement pendants to hidden rope lights, every choice is a chance to reflect your personal style.
Pairing a soulful mixology of materials sourced from mixed styles and different points in history creates visual tension. The duality of nature seeks to pair masculine shapes with feminine, dark with light, quiet with bold, patterned with plain. If everything in the space comes from the same style, store, or era, the overall look will read one note.
Winter McDermott
Polarity always makes a space feel more imaginative.
Louise Liljencrantz
05. Finding the Perfect Size:
Scale matters. Too big, and it overwhelms; too small, and it gets lost. When selecting fixtures, consider first how you live around them. If the fixture is over a kitchen island, do you want to have something that fits the length of the room in a long space or would you prefer a paired set above? Consider how you move and live in your space to pick lighting that complements, not complicates, your life.
Picking the Right Size: A Mini-Guide
Measure Twice, Light Once
Before picking your lights, grab a tape measure. Check the size of your kitchen, especially where you want the lights to go. Remember, it's like a puzzle; each piece needs to fit.Dining Table Glow-Up
For lights over the dining table, the rule of thumb is to hang them about 30-36 inches above the table. Make sure the light covers the table but doesn't blind anyone sitting down.Mix & Match Magic
Think about combining different types and sizes of lighting. A mix of pendant lights with under-cabinet lights can make your kitchen feel like a cozy cafe.Visualize with Cardboard Cutouts
Not sure about the size? Make a cardboard cutout of the light fixture's dimensions and hang it where the light will go. Live with it for a day or two to see if it feels right.Ask for Advice
When in doubt, chat with a lighting expert or a designer. They can help you figure out the perfect size for your lights, making your kitchen both functional and fabulous.
By measuring, visualizing, and getting a bit of expert advice, you'll be on your way to lighting your kitchen like a pro. It's all about making your kitchen a bright spot in your home where everyone wants to hang out.
Visual Comfort
06. Wellness & Color Temperature: Lighting That Feels Good
Modern science shows that the right lighting can actually make us feel better. From bulbs that mimic natural daylight to systems that adjust to our circadian rhythms, choosing the right lighting technology can enhance both your kitchen's look and your wellbeing.
There are several new products on the market for optimizing scientific research around wellness and light sources. Ketra is a Natural Light solution featuring a “patented technology that allows us to shift in color temperature and intensity across a dynamic, near-infinite spectrum of correlated color temperatures.” This technology invites your interiors to reflect the exact blue hue of the morning dawn or the warm glow of golden hour. Ketra features a custom chip and emitter design, that places a full spectrum of color options at your fingertips.
Lighting greatly impacts color in our interiors. Natural sunlight, incandescent light, LED light all affect the color in a room differently. Natural light changes throughout the day and year according to the position of the sun and the direction the window faces.
Here are a couple charts to help you understand the different bulbs and the way they light up the room in terms of brightness, efficiency and color.
The chart below helps us understand color temperature. Color temperature is a way to describe the light appearance provided by a light bulb. It is measure in degrees of Kelvin (K) on a scale from 1,000 to 10,000. A light bulb’s color temperature lets us know what the look and feel of the light produced will be. Household fixtures are commonly found in color temperature on the Kelvin scale of 2700K (warm incandescent), 3000K (warm white halogen) and 3500K (household fluorescent). Color temperature higher than 3500K are typically used for commercial and hospital applications.
This is why it is crucial to see paint, stone/tile, wood, fabric colors – all the samples! in the actual renovation space. You should also look at these samples throughout various times of day to see how they change. It’s important to take into consideration the time of day the room is being used most. If you use your dining room mainly in the evenings, determine the colors that look best in that room at that time of day.
Smart Tips for Smart Lighting
In the age of smart homes, your lighting can be as intelligent as your phone. Programmable systems let you adjust settings with a tap, ensuring your kitchen always has the right mood, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet night in.
Remember, your kitchen is not just a place to cook—it's a space to live, laugh, and make memories. With the right lighting and ceiling design, you can ensure it's always shown in the best possible light.
