A Designer’s Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Lighting

Today we sat down with Michelle Bode, our newest addition to the Best Kitchen’s team, to discuss an important but often overlooked aspect of completing a perfectly curated kitchen - the lighting. In this article, we’ll explore how to match lighting styles with your cabinetry and layout, and how to layer lighting for maximum visual impact.

💡 Why Cabinet Lighting Matters

Cabinets steal the show for good reason. But the important, and perhaps afterthought of lighting really ties the space together. Whether you're remodeling or building new, incorporating “the right lighting elements can highlight your cabinetry, add depth, and transform your kitchen”, Michelle urges. 

Great lighting can build dimension, draw attention to finishes, and create or set a mood, making it one of the more powerful design tools for your kitchen. It can also:

• Make small kitchens feel bigger
  
  
• Highlight textures like wood grain or painted finishes
  
  
• Illuminate task areas for better functionality
  
  
• Create ambiance in the evening with dimmable options
  
  

🪟 Natural Light First

Before planning any electrical fixtures, look at how much natural light your kitchen receives. South-facing windows can flood the space during the day, which may change how colors appear. In contrast, windowless kitchens may need warmer or brighter lighting to avoid looking flat.

💡Pro Tip: Test cabinet samples in both daylight and artificial light to see how they shift throughout the day. 

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👉The Three Layers of Kitchen Lighting

To layer like a pro, Michelle breaks it down to three essential layers: 

1. Ambient Lighting

This is your general overhead light source, like recessed can lights or flush-mount fixtures. It sets the tone for the whole room.

Great for: Overall brightness and visibility

Best fixtures: Recessed lights, flush or semi-flush ceiling lights, modern chandeliers.

2. Task Lighting

This is focused lighting for prep areas, like under cabinets or above islands.

Great for: Chopping, cooking, and cleaning, and even aesthetic

Best fixtures: Under-cabinet LED strips or puck lights, pendant lights over islands

3. Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is used to highlight architectural details, decor, or unique cabinet features like glass doors.

Great for: Glass-front cabinets, toe kicks, crown molding

Best fixtures: In-cabinet lighting, LED tape lights, uplights above cabinets

🔌 Under-Cabinet Lighting: The Secret Weapon

Under-cabinet lighting is one of the easiest ways to instantly modernize a kitchen. It provides both function and a beautiful glow across your backsplash and counters.

Types of under-cabinet lights:

• LED Strip Lights: Thin, flexible, and easy to hide
  
  
• Puck Lights: Round spotlights that offer more focused beams
  
  
• Hardwired vs. Plug-In: Hardwired is seamless but requires an electrician; plug-ins are DIY-friendly

🌙  Dimmers: Your Mood-Setting Superpower

Install dimmer switches for your lighting zones so you can transition from bright task lighting during the day to soft ambiance at night. It also helps reduce energy usage and extend bulb life.

💡Pro Tip: Smart bulbs like Philips Hue and others offer a full range of bulbs, strips, and more that allow both dimming and color changing bulbs through their apps. Set times for certain lights, create moods, match lighting with music or soundscapes all with smart bulbs.

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