Kitchen Ceiling Lights

Kitchen ceiling lighting has one job that gets overlooked: it has to reach the worktop, not the middle of the floor. A single fitting in the centre of the ceiling puts you between the light and the chopping board, so you work in your own shadow.

A layout that works

• A row of spots along the run of units, 60–80 cm out from the wall — light reaches the worktop from the front.
• A general fitting in the centre as support, not as the only source.
• Separate light over the island — pendants, a chandelier or a track.
• Spacing of 80–100 cm between spots, so the pools of light overlap.

Output and colour

Worktops want 300–500 lux, noticeably more than a living room. Colour temperature of 3500–4000 K renders food accurately; a very warm 2700 K makes meat and vegetables look different from how they really are.

Cleaning

Grease settles on everything in a kitchen. Smooth aluminium and coated steel wipe clean in seconds. Open weaves, fabric shades and deep recesses collect a film within a few months and never quite come clean again.

Common questions

How many spotlights above a kitchen worktop?

One per 80–100 cm of worktop, each around 400–500 lm.

What colour temperature for kitchen lighting?

3500–4000 K over the worktop. You can drop to 3000 K in the dining part so evenings feel warmer.

Is one ceiling light enough in a kitchen?

No. It will light the room but leave the worktop in your own shadow — you need task lighting as well.

See also pendant lights and track lighting.