Ever walked into a kitchen and felt like something was off, but couldn’t put your finger on it? Chances are, it was bad lighting. I’ve seen so many kitchens with awful lighting that made the space feel gloomy, created weird shadows, or made food look strange colors. Whether you’re renovating or just swapping out some fixtures, knowing what NOT to do can save you from costly mistakes. Here’s my practical guide to kitchen lighting fails you should avoid like week-old leftovers.
Recessed lights in all the wrong places
Walking into a kitchen with recessed lights placed directly over the floor instead of countertops is a common sight, and it drives me nuts! This setup creates annoying shadows exactly where you’re trying to chop veggies or read recipes. Think about it – when those lights are behind you as you face the counter, you end up working in your own shadow. It’s not just frustrating; it can be downright dangerous when handling sharp knives or hot pans and you can’t clearly see what you’re doing.
The fix is pretty straightforward: recessed lights should be positioned near the edge of the countertop, not in the middle of the walkway. This placement lights up both your workspace and your cabinets. When planning, imagine where your body will be when cooking or prepping food. You want the light in front of you, not behind you. For a standard kitchen, you’ll want to keep recessed lights about 3-4 feet apart and aim for 4-6 lights per 100 square feet of kitchen space to avoid creating a spotty effect.
Single overhead lighting flying solo
The single ceiling light in the middle of the kitchen is probably one of the worst lighting setups I see in homes. You know the one – that lonely fixture that casts harsh shadows everywhere and makes you feel like you’re being interrogated while making a sandwich. When this is your only light source, you end up with dark corners, shadowy countertops, and poorly lit cabinet interiors. Plus, when you stand at the counter or stove, you block the light and end up working in your own shadow, which is both annoying and potentially dangerous.
What your kitchen needs is multiple light sources working together, not one light trying to do everything. A good lighting plan includes ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Think of ambient lighting as your base layer (like recessed ceiling lights), task lighting for specific work areas (under-cabinet lights or pendants over islands), and accent lighting to highlight features or add depth. Having different types of lights on separate switches gives you control over the mood and functionality of your kitchen depending on whether you’re cooking a complex meal or just grabbing a midnight snack.
Undercabinet lights pushed too far back
I’ve seen this mistake in so many kitchens – undercabinet lights pushed all the way to the back of the cabinet instead of toward the front edge. This creates terrible glare on shiny countertops and basically blinds you when you’re standing at the counter. The whole point of undercabinet lighting is to illuminate your work surface without shadows, but when they’re mounted at the back, the light hits the wall and bounces around everywhere except where you need it. Plus, you end up with this weird bright strip at the back of your counter while the front stays dark.
The solution is simple: mount those lights closer to the front edge of the cabinet, or if possible, center them. This way, the light shines directly onto your working area rather than creating glare or weird shadows. When shopping for undercabinet lights, look for ones with a diffuser to soften the light and reduce hotspots. LED strips or puck lights work great, but make sure they’re positioned to cast light forward and down, not back against the wall. This small adjustment makes a huge difference in how functional your countertop workspace becomes.
Ignoring the island’s underside
Kitchen islands without any lighting underneath create this weird black hole effect in the middle of your kitchen. When the rest of the room is lit but there’s this dark void under your island, it makes the whole space feel off-balance and unwelcoming. Not only does it look strange, but it’s also less comfortable to sit at. Have you ever tried to find the footrest under a dark bar? It’s like playing footsie with a ghost. And let’s not forget how hard it is to see if you’ve dropped something on the floor under there – that missing blueberry might stay missing until it’s a science experiment.
Adding some subtle lighting under your island or bar top creates a much more balanced look and adds a layer of comfort to your kitchen. Low-profile LED strip lights work perfectly here – they’re inexpensive, easy to install, and use minimal electricity. You can also add toe kick lighting along the bottom of your cabinets and island for a similar effect. This creates a floating effect that makes your kitchen feel bigger and more open, while also providing practical light for navigating the space at night without turning on all the overhead lights.
Wrong color temperature for kitchen activities
Light bulbs that are too yellow (warm) or too blue (cool) can make your kitchen feel weird and affect how your food looks. I visited a friend’s new kitchen where she had installed super cool-toned LED lights, and her tomato sauce looked purple! On the flip side, overly warm lights can make everything look yellow and dingy. The wrong color temperature doesn’t just mess with food appearance – it can affect your mood and energy levels too. Lighting that’s too harsh and blue can feel clinical and uncomfortable, while lighting that’s too warm can make the space feel dated and dim.
For kitchens, aim for a color temperature between 3500-4000K, which provides a clean, neutral light that’s neither too warm nor too cool. This range shows food colors accurately while still feeling comfortable. When buying bulbs, check the Kelvin rating on the package – lower numbers (2700K) are warmer/yellower, higher numbers (5000K+) are cooler/bluer. Using consistent color temperatures throughout your kitchen prevents that jarring feeling when moving from one area to another. You might also want to consider bulbs with high CRI (Color Rendering Index) ratings, which show colors more accurately.
Pendants that don’t light the countertop
Those stylish pendant lights hanging over your island might look amazing, but if they don’t actually light up the countertop properly, they’re just pretty failures. I’ve seen pendants that are either hung too high (creating weak, diffused light that doesn’t help you see what you’re doing) or designed in a way that directs all the light upward or traps it inside a dark shade. What good is a light that doesn’t light? Your island is a work surface where you prep food, help kids with homework, or gather with friends – it needs proper illumination, not just decorative objects floating above it.
When choosing pendants, look for fixtures that direct light downward toward the counter surface. The bottom of the pendant should hang about 30-36 inches above the countertop to provide focused light without blocking sightlines across the kitchen. If you love a particular pendant design that doesn’t provide enough task lighting, consider supplementing with recessed lights above the island. Remember that pendants should be proportional to your island size – too small and they look insignificant, too large and they overwhelm the space. For longer islands, two or three pendants usually work better than one oversized fixture.
Too many recessed lights creating a swiss cheese ceiling
More isn’t always better when it comes to recessed lights. Walking into a kitchen with dozens of recessed lights dotting the ceiling feels overwhelming and creates that dreaded “swiss cheese” effect. Not only does it look busy and dated, but it can also create uncomfortable brightness levels and harsh shadows. I’ve been in kitchens where there are so many downlights that it feels like you’re on a stage or in an operating room – not exactly the cozy atmosphere you want for your morning coffee. Plus, all those fixtures add up in terms of installation costs and energy usage.
Instead of peppering your ceiling with recessed lights, focus on strategic placement. Aim for 4-6 recessed lights per 100 square feet, focusing on work areas rather than walkways. Complement recessed lighting with other types of fixtures like pendants, wall sconces, or under-cabinet lighting to create a layered effect. This approach not only looks better but provides more flexible lighting options for different activities. And don’t forget that recessed lights can be different sizes – smaller 3-inch lights can be less obtrusive than traditional 6-inch ones, giving you the illumination you need without the cluttered ceiling look.
Forgetting about dimmers for flexibility
Kitchen lights that are either full blast or completely off with no in-between setting are a major missed opportunity. Think about it: your lighting needs change throughout the day. The bright light that’s perfect for chopping vegetables or reading recipes can feel harsh and uncomfortable when you’re having a relaxed dinner or grabbing a late-night snack. Without dimmers, you’re stuck with inappropriate lighting for half your kitchen activities. It’s like having a faucet that only runs at full pressure – sometimes you need a gentle stream, not a fire hose.
Adding dimmer switches to your kitchen lighting is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make. Modern LED-compatible dimmers are affordable and relatively easy to install. With dimmers, you can adjust the brightness based on the time of day, the activity, or just your mood. Bright light for cooking and cleanup, medium light for casual meals, and low light for evening ambiance. This flexibility not only makes your kitchen more functional but can also help reduce energy costs by using only as much light as you need. Plus, dimming lights actually extends the life of your bulbs – another small but meaningful benefit.
The right kitchen lighting makes cooking easier, eating more enjoyable, and your space more inviting. By avoiding these common lighting mistakes, you can create a kitchen that’s both functional and beautiful. Remember, good lighting isn’t about spending a fortune – it’s about smart placement, layering different types of light, and having control over brightness levels. Your kitchen deserves better than shadowy countertops and flickering fluorescents!
