Lighting is one of the most important—and often underestimated—elements of a kitchen remodel. It not only serves a practical purpose but also sets the mood, highlights design features, and affects the overall feel of the space. Whether you’re upgrading an outdated kitchen or starting from scratch, choosing the right lighting plan can elevate your remodel from good to extraordinary.
At KBR Kitchen & Bath, our expert team integrates lighting solutions that are both aesthetic and functional, perfectly tailored to your specific space and lifestyle. Below, we’ll share six of our favorite kitchen lighting ideas that we frequently recommend to homeowners looking to create the ideal home environment.
1. Pendant Lights To Illuminate and Style
Pendant lights are one of the most stylish and functional lighting choices you can add to a kitchen. Suspended from the ceiling, these fixtures offer focused lighting that’s ideal for high-use areas like islands and breakfast bars, while also serving as eye-catching design features.
In today’s remodeling trends, pendant lighting does more than just illuminate—it defines the aesthetic of the room. Whether your home leans toward rustic farmhouse, modern minimalism, or timeless elegance, there’s a pendant design to match your vision. From glass globes to matte black industrial styles, these lights help anchor the design of your kitchen while offering clarity for food preparation and casual dining.
We often recommend pendant lighting to clients who want to combine function with visual impact. By carefully selecting the number, size, and spacing of the pendants, we can help you achieve both a stylish focal point and effective illumination.
2. Under-Cabinet Lighting for Function and Ambiance
Under-cabinet lighting is one of those subtle additions that makes a big difference. These low-profile light strips or pucks are installed beneath upper cabinets to cast light directly onto the countertops. The result is not only more effective task lighting for chopping, mixing, and reading recipes, but also a soft ambient glow that enhances the kitchen’s atmosphere.
This type of lighting is especially useful during evening hours or when the main lights are turned off. It helps create a cozy, intimate vibe while still offering enough visibility to make the space usable. Under-cabinet lights also highlight the beauty of your countertops and backsplash—especially if you’ve chosen premium materials like granite or quartz.
We operate in Bethesda, Manassas and Fairfax and often heard back from our clients how seamless and modern this solution looks. In many of our remodels, we integrate dimmable LED strips that allow homeowners to adjust brightness levels based on time of day or mood.
3. Recessed Lighting for Sleek and Even Illumination
Recessed lighting, also known as can or downlighting, offers clean and consistent light throughout your kitchen without interrupting the ceiling line. This makes it a perfect fit for modern, transitional, or minimalist kitchens where clutter-free design is key.
Unlike hanging fixtures, recessed lights are installed directly into the ceiling, providing a discreet lighting solution that distributes illumination evenly across the room. This type of lighting works particularly well in open-concept homes or kitchens with lower ceilings, where maintaining a sense of space is important.
During remodeling projects, a lot of the times we use recessed lighting as the foundation for a layered lighting design. These lights provide the ambient lighting that supports the overall functionality of the space, while allowing for other lighting features—like pendants or task lights—to stand out as design accents.
4. Layered Lighting for Flexibility and Depth
The most effective kitchen lighting design doesn’t rely on a single source of illumination. Instead, it combines multiple types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent—to create a space that is both versatile and visually appealing. This approach is called layered lighting, and it is an essential part of any thoughtful kitchen remodel.
With layered lighting, you can tailor the brightness and focus of your lighting to match different activities throughout the day. Preparing meals, entertaining guests, or enjoying a quiet evening drink each require a different lighting mood—and layered lighting offers the flexibility to accommodate all of them.
We help our clients achieve this depth by thoughtfully positioning recessed lights for general illumination, pendant lights or under-cabinet lighting for tasks, and accent lighting to draw attention to architectural features, open shelving, or decorative elements. The result is a dynamic and adaptive kitchen that performs beautifully under any circumstance.
5. Task Illumination for Specific Zones
While ambient lighting lights up the entire kitchen, task lighting focuses on specific work areas where concentrated light is essential. This type of lighting ensures that you can see clearly when you’re performing detailed tasks like chopping vegetables, reading measurements, or cleaning up after a meal.
Common zones that benefit from task lighting include the countertop prep area, the stove or cooktop, and the sink. Even pantries and interior cabinet spaces can benefit from strategic lighting placement. In each of these areas, a well-lit environment enhances both efficiency and safety.
At KBR Kitchen & Bath, we incorporate task lighting into our kitchen remodels by considering how each homeowner uses their space. Whether that means installing directional lights above a range or integrating lighting inside cabinets for better visibility, our goal is to make your daily routines easier and more enjoyable.
6. Smart Lighting for Efficiency and Convenience
As kitchens become more technologically integrated, smart lighting systems are increasingly in demand. These systems allow you to control lights through your smartphone, tablet, or voice assistant. With smart lighting, you can adjust brightness, change color temperatures, and create schedules for different times of day—all from the palm of your hand.
Smart lighting not only improves convenience but also enhances energy efficiency. By dimming lights automatically when natural light is sufficient, or turning them off when the room is unoccupied, you reduce electricity use without sacrificing comfort or style.
Homeowners have embraced this innovation as part of their full kitchen remodels. We help integrate smart lighting systems that work harmoniously with other kitchen technologies, offering a forward-thinking solution that brings together form, function, and environmental responsibility.
FAQ
What kind of lighting is best for kitchen remodeling?
The best lighting plan combines multiple types: ambient lighting for general visibility, task lighting for specific work areas, and accent lighting for aesthetics. This layered approach ensures your kitchen is functional, attractive, and adaptable.
How do I know how much lighting my kitchen needs?
Lighting needs depend on kitchen size, layout, natural light sources, and how the space is used. During your consultation, we evaluate these factors to design a custom lighting plan that balances brightness and efficiency. (P.S, you can book a free consultation with us on our website.)
Is smart lighting worth it in a kitchen remodel?
Definitely. Smart lighting enhances comfort and energy savings while offering unmatched convenience. It’s especially valuable in high-traffic rooms like kitchens, where lighting needs often change throughout the day.
Can lighting improve home value?
Yes. Quality lighting can make a kitchen appear more spacious, modern, and luxurious, all of which are appealing to buyers. It’s one of the top design features that can increase both usability and resale value.
Let Us Bring Your Dream Kitchen to Light
As KBR Kitchen & Bath, we bring expertise, craftsmanship, and creative vision to every kitchen remodel we complete. From high-end materials and customized layouts to perfectly planned lighting schemes, we design kitchens that reflect your personality and improve your daily life.
We proudly serve homeowners in Bethesda, Fairfax, and Manassas, helping them create elegant, functional, and welcoming kitchens. If you’re ready to transform your kitchen into a brighter, more beautiful space, our team is here to guide you from concept to completion.
Contact us today or come visit one of our showroom locations to get your project started.
