Updated October 2026
Good kitchen lighting is layered:
- Ambient light fills the room.
- Task light puts bright, shadow-free light on benches, the sink and the cooktop.
- Accent light adds depth and mood.
Plan all three, put them on separate switches or dimmers, and the same kitchen works for morning prep, homework at the island and a relaxed dinner. The ideas below are written for Australian homes, from standard 2.4m ceilings to open-plan kitchens with large islands.
The 17 ideas below are grouped by job: planning, pendants and globes, downlights and task light, accent and mood, and tricky spaces. After them you'll find a five-step plan for your own kitchen and answers to the questions we hear most. Or jump straight to our kitchen lighting range.
Plan first
1. Start with a layered lighting plan
Map the kitchen into zones before choosing any fitting: benches, island, sink, cooktop, any dining area, and walkways. Each zone needs a different mix of light.
As a rule of thumb, aim for about 150 to 250 lumens per square metre of general light, then add task lighting over the work zones.
| Kitchen size | General light (total) | Then add |
|---|---|---|
| Small (up to 10 m²) | 1,500 to 2,500 lm | Under-cabinet strips over the main bench |
| Medium (10 to 20 m²) | 2,500 to 5,000 lm | Under-cabinet strips, plus pendants over any island |
| Large (20 m² and up) | 5,000 lm and up | Task light in each zone, plus accent lighting |
Put each layer on its own circuit, so downlights, pendants and accent lights can be switched or dimmed separately.
Pendants and globes
2. Make the island pendant the statement
Over an island, a pendant is both the main task light and the room's focal point. A linear system keeps things tidy: the Meridian Linear spaces three pendants along a slim 800mm ceiling bar from a single installation point. It comes in brushed brass or matte black and suits islands from 1.5 to 2.5m long.
If your power point isn't centred over the island, the Triad 3-Light Multi-Drop Pendant uses 3m fabric cords and swag hooks to position each light where you want it. For double-height voids, the Ennead Grand Designer Edition clusters nine 180mm amber globes on 5m cables.
3. Get pendant count, spacing and height right
Hang pendants about 75 to 90cm above the benchtop. That's low enough to light the bench and high enough to keep sightlines clear across the room.
| Island length | Suggested pendants |
|---|---|
| Under 1.5 m | One larger pendant or two small ones |
| 1.5 to 2.5 m | Three pendants, or a linear system such as the Meridian |
| Over 2.5 m | Three larger pendants or five smaller ones |
Odd numbers tend to look balanced. Space pendants evenly and keep the end ones well in from the edges of the island. For more detail, see our guide to choosing kitchen pendant lighting.
4. Let an oversized globe do the talking
A large globe in a simple pendant can be the whole design. The Grand 180 and Grand 125 amber globes give a deep 2200K glow through tinted glass, and they look sculptural even when switched off. At 180 lumens each, they're mood lights rather than task lights, so pair them with downlights or under-cabinet strips for prep.
When the globe also needs to light the bench, choose a brighter clear globe such as the 11W G95 in 3000K soft white, which delivers 1,750 lumens.
5. Get filament warmth without the energy bill
Filament LEDs give the look of old Edison bulbs at a fraction of the power. The 7.2W G125 Clear in 2200K extra warm delivers 700 lumens in place of a 60W incandescent. It suits open pendants and exposed sockets over a dining nook or breakfast bar. Dulora's filament globes are dimmable and flicker-free on a compatible trailing-edge dimmer.
6. Mix metal finishes deliberately
Mixing metals adds depth, as long as it looks intentional:
- Stick to two main finishes plus one accent.
- Repeat each finish at least twice across the room, for example in tapware, handles and lighting.
- Keep finishes all matte or all polished.
The Meridian comes in brass or black, and the Triad in gold, black or white, so the pendants can tie into your hardware.
Downlights and task light
7. Upgrade downlights for less glare
Downlights provide most kitchens' ambient light, but a bare, bright source in your eyeline is uncomfortable. Choose fittings that set the light source deeper into the ceiling, and space them about 1.2 to 1.5m apart. Place the row over the benches about 600mm out from the wall cabinets, so light lands on the bench in front of you rather than behind your head.
If your existing downlights take GU10 globes, upgrading the globe alone can noticeably improve light quality. Browse our LED spotlights.
8. Aim adjustable beams at the bench, not at people
A beam that's too wide washes light onto walls and into eyes, and one that's too narrow leaves dark patches. The FlexBeam GU10 lets you twist the lens to 24°, 36° or 55°. Use the tighter setting to focus on an island, and the wider one for an even wash over a galley bench. It delivers 525 lumens from 7 watts with ultra-high colour accuracy.
9. Use a crisper colour temperature over work zones
- 2700K to 3000K warm white suits general kitchen lighting and flatters timber and stone.
- 3000K to 4000K gives crisper light over benches where you chop and read recipes.
- 2200K is best kept for mood lighting.
For a clean, neutral task light in a ceiling fitting, the 6.5W GLS in 4000K natural white delivers 806 lumens. Whatever you choose, keep one colour temperature within each zone, because mixed tones look patchy.
10. Add under-cabinet task strips
Under-cabinet LED strips are the most effective fix for shadows on the bench. Mount them towards the front edge of the cabinet underside, so light falls across the bench rather than onto the splashback. Use an aluminium profile with a diffuser to avoid a dotted look.
Most strips run on 12V or 24V from a driver. Size the driver at about 1.25 times the strip's total wattage, and see our range of LED drivers. A licensed electrician must make the mains connection.
Accent and mood
11. Light shelves and niches
Open shelving and glass cabinets come alive with a slim LED profile recessed into the joinery. Warm 2700K suits timber and natural materials, and 3000K keeps white crockery looking crisp. Choose high colour accuracy so ceramics and books don't look washed out.
12. Backlight the splashback and toe-kicks
- Toe-kick strips make cabinets look like they're floating, and they double as a gentle night light.
- Splashbacks: light behind translucent stone or glass gives a soft, even glow.
Keep output low and warm. At floor level, use sealed strips (IP65 or higher) that can handle mopping.
13. Dim to warm for dinner
Most LEDs only get dimmer when you turn them down. The Sunset Dim GU10 also gets warmer, shifting from a clean 2700K at full brightness to a candle-like 1800K. One set of downlights can then work for both cooking and dinner. For 12V downlights, choose the Sunset Dim MR16.
14. Set up dimmable and smart scenes
Separate circuits plus dimmers give you instant scenes:
- Prep: everything bright.
- Dinner: pendants low, downlights warm.
- Late night: just the toe-kicks.
Use a trailing-edge LED dimmer for 240V globes, such as those in our dimmer range. Smart switches and dimmers that support Matter can work with Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa (usually through a compatible hub or smart speaker), so scenes can be set by app, voice or schedule.
Tricky spaces
15. Fit flush-mounts for low ceilings
Many Australian homes have 2.4m ceilings, where pendants over a walkway become a head-height hazard. Use slim flush-mounted fittings or downlights in walkways, and keep pendants for over the island, where nobody walks underneath. Look for diffused fittings to avoid bright spots.
16. Consider track lighting for flexibility
Track systems let you add, move and re-aim lights along a rail without rewiring each time. That's useful in long galley kitchens, in renovations done in stages, or where ceiling access is limited. As with any fixed lighting, a licensed electrician must install the track.
17. Prioritise colour accuracy so food and finishes look right
Colour accuracy, measured as CRI, shows how true colours look under a light. In a kitchen, it's the difference between fresh herbs looking vibrant and looking grey, and between stone benchtops looking as they did in the showroom or looking flat. Aim for CRI 90 or higher throughout. Dulora's bulbs and spotlights in this guide all have ultra-high colour accuracy.
Plan your kitchen lighting in 5 steps
- Map your zones: benches, island, sink, cooktop, dining area and walkways.
- Set the ambient layer: work out total lumens for the room, then space downlights about 1.2 to 1.5m apart.
- Add task light: under-cabinet strips over the benches and pendants over the island, at 3000K to 4000K.
- Layer in accent and mood: shelf, niche and toe-kick lighting, plus dim-to-warm downlights.
- Plan the controls: separate circuits and dimmers for each layer. Talk to a licensed electrician before you finalise the plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lighting for a kitchen?
A layered mix works best: ambient light from downlights or ceiling fittings, task light over the benches and island, and accent light for mood. Put each layer on its own switch or dimmer.
How many downlights do I need in a kitchen?
As a starting point, space downlights about 1.2 to 1.5m apart and about 600mm from wall cabinets. A typical 3m by 4m kitchen often ends up with six to nine, depending on beam angle, ceiling height and how much task lighting you add.
What colour temperature is best for a kitchen?
2700K to 3000K warm white suits general kitchen lighting. Use 3000K to 4000K over work zones for crisper task light, and keep 2200K for mood lighting.
How high should pendants hang over a kitchen island?
About 75 to 90cm above the benchtop. That puts the light close enough to the work surface without blocking sightlines across the room.
How many pendants should go over a kitchen island?
For islands of 1.5 to 2.5m, three pendants or a linear three-light system usually works best. Shorter islands suit one or two, and longer islands suit three larger pendants or five smaller ones.
How do I light a small kitchen?
Keep the ceiling uncluttered with downlights or a slim flush-mount for ambient light. Add under-cabinet strips over the main bench, and use warm, high-colour-accuracy bulbs so the space feels bright and inviting rather than clinical.
Bring your kitchen lighting plan to life
Start with the layers, then add the ideas that suit your space and style: a statement pendant over the island, dim-to-warm downlights for dinner, or under-cabinet strips that end bench shadows for good.
Explore our kitchen lighting range, including pendants and spotlights, add a trailing-edge dimmer, or contact our team for help planning your kitchen.