Kitchen Lighting Layers: Ambient, Task & Decorative Lighting

Lighting a kitchen can be an intimidating task. This multifunctional room needs illumination that meets the demands of the kitchen’s many uses while still looking sharp and stylish. And since every home and family is different, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for the best kitchen lighting. The size and shape of your kitchen, as well as its primary purposes, will all determine the best lighting layout for your unique situation.

To effectively light your kitchen, you will need to choose multiple lights that each fulfill different purposes. Consider three layers of lighting when approaching how best to illuminate your kitchen:

• Ambient lighting brings diffuse brightness to the whole room.
• Task lighting clears away the shadows over the areas where you cook and eat.
• Decorative lighting shines a spotlight on any elements of your kitchen you would like to highlight, like wall art or a unique architectural feature.

Choose ambient lighting for your kitchen first, followed by task lighting in areas where less visibility impedes your workflow; use decorative lighting to finish off your look and tie everything together.

Types of Kitchen Lights

Rustic Island Chandelier

Kitchen lights cover a wide range of fixture designs and styles, each intended to address one or more of the three lighting layers. Here are the main types of fixtures to consider:

• Kitchen Ceiling Lights (Ambient) are ideal for ambient lighting, particularly where space is limited. Flush mount kitchen ceiling lights, as the name implies, are mounted flush with the ceiling and cast light throughout the room. Semi-flush mount kitchen lights serve the same lighting function, but depending on the style and design, these fixtures can be a smart way to achieve the look of a chandelier in rooms with lower ceilings.
• Kitchen Chandeliers (Decorative / Task / Ambient) are usually hung over the dining table or kitchen island, and these lights fulfill multiple uses depending on the design of the fixture. They can act as task lighting for islands and dining tables but may provide some ambient lighting to the room as well and usually add a decorative element.
• Kitchen Pendant Lights (Task) are most useful as task lighting. These fixtures usually feature single bulbs suspended from a rod or cord with a shade to direct the light down over work areas (although bare bulb pendants or clear glass shades are very stylish options, particularly for industrial or rustic farmhouse décor).
• Kitchen Wall Lights (Task / Decorative) can also be used in situations where ceiling-mounted fixtures are not ideal. Kitchen wall lights can function as task lighting (a sconce mounted over a sink or counter will help illuminate the workspace) or as decorative lighting (such as accent lighting in a glass display cabinet). Kitchen wall lights will combine with existing ambient lighting and can be particularly useful for creating a cozy kitchen space when used with dimmers.
• Kitchen Ceiling Fans with Lights (Ambient) are perfect for kitchens that need a little extra airflow. These fixtures offer ambient lighting and help cool or vent your kitchen while you cook.

Flush Mount Kitchen Lighting

Scalloped Shade Semi Flush Mount Ceiling Light

Choosing a Flush Mount Ceiling Light for the Kitchen

Ambient lighting is the lighting layer that fills your room and supplements task lighting in areas where directed illumination is not appropriate. Flush mount ceiling lights, along with recessed lighting, are the fixtures most commonly used to add ambient lighting to your space. These fixtures fill your room with light (along with any natural lighting you can make use of) so that the room is safe, comfortable, and functional even when your task lighting is not in use. Because they are hung ‘flush’ with the ceiling, flush mount kitchen ceiling lights are particularly useful for kitchens with limited space where hanging lights or wall sconces might pose a safety hazard or add a cluttered feeling.

While flush mount ceiling lights are primarily used in a functional capacity, the right ceiling light can also act as a decorative element to accent your chosen home decor. If, for example, you have a modern farmhouse kitchen, rustic flush mount ceiling lights will add a new design touch to your room; if you have a contemporary kitchen design, choose a mid-century flush mount light to match. You can find a flush mount for every decor theme, so limited space doesn’t mean limited style.

Flush mount ceiling lights are also perfect choices for pantry lighting, where fixtures suited to tight spaces are needed.

Semi-Flush Kitchen Lighting

For rooms that need an extra splash of drama, semi-flush kitchen lighting might be the perfect compromise between a chandelier or pendant and flush mount ceiling light. Semi-flush mount kitchen lights hang flush with the ceiling just like flush mount ceiling lights, but these fixtures tend to be bigger, and have space between the main body of the fixture and the canopy, lending the effect of a chandelier or lantern. If your ceilings are too low for hanging lights, but you have the space for a more dramatic fixture, a semi-flush kitchen ceiling light is the perfect solution!

Kitchen Chandeliers

Orbit Globe Chandelier

Chandeliers can fill several functions in a kitchen, not the least of which is adding a gorgeous, upscale lighting element to your room. These fixtures always make a strong statement and, depending on the design of the fixture, can fulfill all three types of lighting needs in your kitchen—task, ambient, and decorative. You can determine what function a chandelier is intended for by examining the position of the bulbs. A chandelier design with the bulbs facing upward, or shades facing upward, is best suited for ambient lighting, while task lighting directs the light spread down onto the counter or tabletop. Many open chandelier designs feature exposed bulbs or bodies that allow the light to shine out in all directions, and these fixtures are useful for both functions.

For an extra decorative element, use your chandelier to tie your kitchen design together. A modern kitchen chandelier is a perfect finishing touch for a kitchen on the cutting edge of style, and a farmhouse kitchen chandelier elevates rustic chic looks to a new level of charm and elegance. Where you place the chandelier also has a huge impact on the look and feel of your room. A kitchen table chandelier will help illuminate your meals and add an element of class to your kitchen dining area. A kitchen island chandelier brings much-needed task lighting with unabashed panache. If kitchen chandelier lighting seems perfect for your space, check out our chandelier buying guide for more tips, tricks, and ideas to make this lighting statement work for your unique space!

When it is time to hang your chandelier, you can follow much the same rules as you would for hanging a pendant. The chandelier should be roughly 30-36 inches above the countertop and should not block any views or pose a safety hazard. You can find more information on how to size and hang a chandelier here.

Kitchen Ceiling Fans

65” Industrial Spoke Ceiling Fan

Hanging a ceiling fan in your kitchen can be a practical, attractive choice when customizing your room. Ceiling fans create more airflow in a space, and this can be invaluable when completing culinary tasks. The act of cooking can cause uncomfortable ambient heat or unpleasant smokiness that ceiling fans help disperse. And of course, you can find a kitchen ceiling fan with lights to add extra illumination and airflow in one convenient fixture!

Many kitchens are best served by a low profile kitchen ceiling fan or a small kitchen ceiling fan. If you have a large kitchen or high ceilings, you should check the length of any downrods included with your fixture so you can be sure it will fit properly in your space. Our helpful ceiling fan size guide has all the best practices you’ll need to select the perfect kitchen ceiling fan.