If the kitchen is the heart of the home, lighting is what brings it to life. It boosts functionality, elevates style, and sets the mood—from early mornings to late-night snacking. However, kitchen lighting can be one of the trickiest elements to get right. Too dim, and tasks like chopping or cooking become unsafe. Make it too harsh, and the space can feel cold and clinical.
When it comes to kitchen lighting, at Krauss Kitchens, we’ve seen it all—the good, the bad, and the unexpectedly brilliant. Whether you’re designing a new kitchen or updating one, we’ve gathered all the expert tips you need about kitchen light design.
The Three Layers of Kitchen Lighting
The first thing to understand about kitchen lighting is that it’s not just about one type of light—it’s about layers. The best kitchen lighting incorporates three key layers:
1. Ambient Lighting: The Foundation
Ambient lighting is your kitchen’s base layer. This is the primary light source that often comes from the ceiling-mounted fixtures and lights up the entire room, allowing you to move around safely and comfortably.
In Australian homes, where open-plan living is common, ambient lighting should flow seamlessly between the kitchen, dining, and living spaces. Recessed LED downlights are popular since they’re subtle and efficient, but if your ceiling height and style allow, a pendant or semi-flush light can also work.
- Placement tip: Distribute ambient lights evenly to avoid dark spots and shadows.
2. Task Lighting: Focused and Functional
Staying true to its name, task lighting provides direct illumination for specific activities such as chopping, cooking, or cleaning. This lighting type is crucial for ensuring your kitchen remains functional and safe, particularly in areas like countertops, sinks, and stoves, where close attention is needed.
- Placement tip: Position lights directly above benchtops, stovetops, sinks, cooking zones, or inside the pantry
3. Accent & Decorative Lighting: Adding Depth
These kitchen lighting fixtures do the heavy lifting to pull off a specific atmosphere. They can enhance the kitchen’s key design features and make the space more inviting. They bring style, scale, and a sense of rhythm to your space.
For example, soft lighting on open shelves can highlight your favourite kitchenware. A pendant light above a stunning island can be a striking focal point in the room, especially when paired with gold accents throughout the space.
- Placement tip: Use accent lighting to highlight architectural details, glass-front cabinets, or open shelving.
During the planning phase, walk through your kitchen routine—either mentally or physically. Where do you pause? Where do you focus? Light those areas accordingly to create a balanced and efficient space.
After all, mastering kitchen lighting is about layering all three types of light with intent. Skip one, and you may find the entire room feeling incomplete.
Kitchen Light Design: Zone-Based Planning
Every kitchen can be divided into zones: cooking, prep, cleaning, storage, and entertaining. By understanding how these areas are used, you can assign appropriate lighting to each. Here are some lighting tips for each kitchen area:
1. Kitchen Lights for Prep Zone
This area needs bright, shadow-free task lighting to make chopping, mixing, and prepping safe and easy. Under-cabinet LED strips or directional track lighting do the job beautifully.
Best Fixtures:
- LED strip lights
- Track lights
- Puck lights
- Linear bar lights
- Adjustable downlights
2. Kitchen Lights for Cooking Zone
Lighting above the cooktop should be practical and heat-resistant. Use integrated rangehood lights or overhead fixtures to keep the area well-lit while you work.
Best Fixtures:
- Rangehood lights
- Heat-safe pendants
- Recessed spotlights
- Flush mounts
- Directional track lights
3. Kitchen Lights for Sink & Cleaning Area
Good lighting around the sink helps with cleaning, rinsing, and loading dishes. Recessed downlights or a small pendant offer focused, splash-safe illumination.
Best Fixtures:
- Recessed downlights
- Small pendants
- IP-rated fixtures
- Adjustable spotlights
- Under-cabinet LEDs
4. Kitchen Light for Island & Breakfast Bar
The kitchen island and breakfast bar are central to many kitchen activities. It’s the perfect spot to feature stylish pendant lighting. Just ensure it’s functional, too. Balance ambient glow with direct light for meal prep and everyday use.
Best Fixtures:
- Globe pendants
- Linear suspension
- Rattan or woven lampshades
- Clear glass fixtures
- Dome pendants
Choose the Right Fixture for Your Kitchen Aesthetic
Pick light fixtures that complement your kitchen’s design theme to tie the space together. Whether you’re going for a modern look or a cosy, traditional feel, there’s an appropriate lighting style for every kitchen. You might want to consider these ideas:
- Modern Kitchens: Sleek recessed lighting, linear LED fixtures, or minimalist pendants in matte black or brushed brass.
- Hamptons & Coastal: Glass pendants, polished nickel finishes, and white or neutral tones work beautifully.
- Industrial Style: Exposed bulbs, metal finishes, and factory-style pendants can bring edge and warmth.
- Traditional & Country Kitchens: Lantern-style fixtures or decorative ceiling-mounted lights with soft curves.
Placement Tips & Technical Insights
Proper lighting placement is key to creating a functional kitchen. To get it right, consider your lighting fixtures’ technical details and strategic positioning:
1. Kitchen Light Hanging Fixtures: Get the Height & Spacing Right
When hanging pendant lights or chandeliers, height and spacing matter more than you might think. Follow this quick guide:
- Above Kitchen Islands: Pendants should hang about 75–90 cm above the benchtop. Space multiple pendants evenly (roughly 60–80 cm apart) and ensure they don’t obstruct sightlines.
- Ceiling Lights: Aim for uniform spacing of recessed lights—usually every 1.5 to 2 metres, depending on ceiling height and layout.
- Accent Lighting: Place LED strips as close to the front edge of the cabinet underside as possible to cast light evenly across the benchtops.
2. Kitchen LED Lights: Consider Bulb Temperature & Brightness
We can’t talk about lighting without touching on the bulbs themselves. LED technology has come a long way, and it’s now the go-to for kitchens, thanks to its efficiency, longevity, and low heat output.
Here’s what to look for:
- Colour Temperature:
- Warm white (2700K–3000K) for ambience.
- Cool white (3500K–4000K) for task lighting.
- Brightness (Lumens):
- Around 400–800 lumens per square metre is ideal, depending on your ceiling height and layout.
- For focused tasks, go for 450 lumens per fixture or higher.
- CRI (Colour Rendering Index): Aim for 90+ to see colours and textures accurately—especially important if your kitchen features natural materials.
Incorporate Dimmers and Smart Controls
Dimmers are a kitchen designer’s secret weapon. They allow you to adjust brightness based on the time of day or mood—blazing bright for cooking, soft and ambient for dinners.
So, pair dimmers with smart lighting systems for even more control. With smart bulbs or integrated systems, your fixtures can:
- Automatically adjust based on daylight.
- Be voice-controlled or scheduled.
- Change the colour temperature or brightness.
- Connect with other smart appliances for seamless living.
You don’t have to be a tech whiz either—brands like Philips Hue, LIFX, and Casambi make it easy to retrofit or install in new builds.
Add a Final Touch with the Statement Lighting
Once the essentials are in place, don’t be afraid to add more elements and have a little fun. A sculptural pendant over the island or an unexpected sconce by the pantry door can add visual interest and personality to the space. Just remember: one standout piece is usually enough. Let it shine (literally) without competing for attention.
Where to Buy Kitchen Lights in Australia
If you’re looking for affordable kitchen lighting, stores like Bunnings and IKEA offer a great selection. But if you’re after something unique, Australian light designers have some seriously impressive pieces to level up your space.
Top Australian Light Designers to Know
We’ve rounded up a few local light designers who make captivating, high-quality pieces. Each brand brings a unique style, from handcrafted ceramics to bold, sculptural designs.
- Volker Haug Studio: Melbourne-based and known for bold, sculptural pieces made by hand. Each design is customisable and often features industrial influences with a refined edge.
- Marz Designs: A Sydney studio that creates refined, minimalistic lighting with warm tones and natural materials like timber, brass, and glass.
- Lighting Republic: It offers timeless, high-quality lighting collections that blend classic and modern elements. Distributed through various Australian retailers.
- ISM Objects: Contemporary lighting with a playful, functional aesthetic. They’ve been designing and manufacturing in Melbourne since 1990.
- Coco Flip: Melbourne design studio known for its elegant, handcrafted pendants and floor lamps with soft finishes and thoughtful details.
- Anchor Ceramics: This designer fuses lighting design with ceramic craftsmanship. Their pieces are handmade and often used in architectural projects.
- Nightworks Studio: Modern and architectural in feel, Nightworks combines brass, glass, and bold geometric shapes. High-end and design-focused.
- Rakumba: One of Australia’s oldest lighting brands (est. 1968), known for collaborating with designers on premium lighting collections.
Transform Your Kitchen with Expert Lighting Solutions
At Krauss Kitchens, we bring your kitchen vision to life with top-quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and custom lighting solutions. From modern, sleek designs to warm, inviting layouts, we help homeowners create kitchens that suit their needs and aesthetic preferences.
If you’re renovating or building a new kitchen, we’re here to help. Explore our website to learn more about our work, or reach out for a consultation.
