Electrical Phase|Step 25 of 33

Upgrade Kitchen Lighting

Lighting is the most underrated kitchen upgrade. Proper lighting makes cooking easier, food look better, and the whole space feel more inviting.

Time Required

1-4 hours

Cost

$100-$1,000+

Difficulty

Moderate

The Three Layers of Kitchen Lighting

Overall room illumination. Recessed cans, flush mounts, or central fixtures. Goal: eliminate dark corners.

Focused light for work areas. Under-cabinet lights for counters. Pendant over island/sink. Makes cooking safer and easier.

Decorative and mood lighting. In-cabinet lights, toe-kick LEDs, above-cabinet glow. Adds depth and warmth.

Replace fluorescent box: Swap for recessed LED cans or modern flush mount.
Add recessed lighting: 4" or 6" cans on 4-foot centers. Wafer-style for easy install.
Update ceiling fan/light: If you have one, modern combo units look better.
Statement fixture: Over island or table. Chandeliers, drum shades, or modern pendants.

2700K (Soft White): Warm, cozy. Good for dining areas. Can make kitchen feel dated.
3000K (Warm White): Sweet spot for kitchens. Warm but bright. Most popular choice.
3500K (Neutral): Balanced. Good for modern kitchens with white cabinets.
4000K (Cool White): Bright and energizing. Professional kitchen feel. Some find it harsh.
5000K+ (Daylight): Very bright, blue-ish. Task areas only. Not for general use.

Tip: Match all bulbs to same temperature. Mixing looks strange.

Lumens matter more than watts: 800 lumens ≈ old 60W bulb. Kitchens need lots of lumens.
CRI (Color Rendering Index): 90+ makes food and skin look natural. Cheap LEDs have low CRI.
Dimmable: Not all LEDs are. Check before buying. Use LED-compatible dimmers.
Integrated vs. bulb: Integrated LEDs last longer but can't replace just the bulb.

•You probably need more light than you think: Kitchens need 30-40 foot-candles on work surfaces.
•Put everything on dimmers: Full brightness for cooking, soft for entertaining.
•Light the counter, not your head: Position recessed cans over front edge of counter, not centered.
•Avoid single center fixture: Creates shadows everywhere. Multiple sources are better.