How to plan kitchen lighting: under-cabinet LED, spotlights and island lights

Short answer: Good kitchen lighting has three layers: general light on the ceiling (spots, panels or linear fittings), shadow-free under-cabinet LED over the worktop, and pendants over the island or dining table. For under-cabinet light, use 24 V LED strip in a diffused aluminium profile, or a slim linear fitting, close to the front edge of the wall units; 3000–4000 K and CRI 90 show food colours accurately.

1. General lighting

This layer lights the whole kitchen evenly with recessed spots, LED panels or linear fittings. Place spots slightly in front of the worktop edge, so the person working does not cast a shadow on it, and far enough from cabinet doors. Spacing is usually 80–120 cm; the exact number depends on ceiling height and beam angle.

2. Under-cabinet LED (task light)

Under wall units, ceiling light leaves the worktop in the cook's own shadow. Under-cabinet lighting removes it and is the most important light for chopping and cooking.

• Position: fit the light under the wall unit, near the front edge. Strip placed near the back wall reflects as dots on glossy worktops and tiles.
• Materials: 24 V LED strip with a diffused aluminium profile, or a ready-made slim linear fitting. Choose COB (dotless) strip to avoid dots on glossy surfaces.
• Power: 9.6–14.4 W per metre is enough for task light in most kitchens.
• Control: a touch or hand-wave sensor switch under the cabinet, or a separate circuit to a wall switch.
• Driver: inside or on top of a wall unit, where it can be serviced.
• Moisture: at least IP44 near the sink and hob.

3. Island and dining table

Pendants are both decorative and practical. Over an island, 2–3 pendants are usually hung at equal spacing with their lower edge about 70–80 cm above the worktop. A single linear pendant also suits long islands.

4. Decorative and hidden light

Cove lighting above wall units or lighting inside glass-fronted cabinets adds depth. Using only this layer in the evening gives the kitchen calm ambient light.

Colour temperature and CRI

• Colour: 3000 K warm white matches an open-plan living area; 4000 K neutral white looks crisper at the worktop. All sources in one space should match.
• CRI (Ra): at least 80, preferably 90 or higher, to see food colours correctly.
• Dimming: dimmable general and pendant layers let you soften the light for dinner.

Planning checklist

1. Draw the worktop, island and table positions.
2. Mark spot or linear positions for general light, in front of the worktop edge.
3. Reserve an under-cabinet LED run and a driver location.
4. Leave ceiling outlets for island pendants in advance.
5. Plan a separate switch (and dimmer if needed) for each layer.

• → LED strips
• → Downlights
• → Linear lighting
• → LED pendant lights
• → LED strip power supply sizing