Lighting Open Kitchens: 5 Pro Tips

Many a homeowner wanting to refurbish their home has opted for a more open layout. But lighting open kitchens in particular can be a tricky thing. In this article we offer five pro tips for how to get the lighting right in your open plan kitchen and living space.

Functional and Decorative Lighting Fixtures for Open Kitchens

Photo credit – Lotus Design N Print

Ready to make your open kitchen shine?

Open kitchens are one of the most popular designs in recent years. They’re the center pieces of many contemporary homes and spaces. But lighting open kitchens is deceptively hard; they require unique lighting to look their best.

The problem is most homeowners mess it up.

Either they go overboard on functionality (ugly overhead lights) or they get lost in decorative pieces (aesthetically pleasing but hard to use). Striking the right balance is the difference between an average kitchen and one that wows.

Don’t worry – here’s why:

Achieving the proper lighting fixtures for your open kitchen is actually simpler than most people make it out to be. Just a few key considerations and you can create a space that’s both beautiful and functional.

You’ll Learn:

Why open kitchens require different lighting approaches
The 3x types of kitchen lighting you need
The best fixtures for open kitchen layouts
Blending functional and decorative lighting
Common kitchen lighting mistakes to avoid

Why Open Kitchens Require Different Lighting

Open kitchens are a different animal entirely from enclosed kitchen spaces. Therefore lighting open kitchens requires a different approach.

The reason is because they connect to living and dining rooms. The lighting in open kitchens has to work harder. It needs to provide task lighting for cooking and food prep. But it also has to create ambiance and atmosphere for when guests are gathered around the kitchen island.

When you select kitchen lighting fixtures, these dual purposes should be considered at the forefront of your decision-making process.

Let’s break it down:

Traditional kitchen designs could get away with just a few ceiling lights because it was its own separate room. Open kitchens are on display 24/7. Every fixture you select matters in relation to both kitchen functionality and the overall aesthetic of your entire living space. So lighting open kitchens is essential to show them at their best all the time.

Kitchen lighting sales have exploded in recent years. The market is projected to grow from $13.5 billion in 2024 to 14.78 billion in 2025 alone. That’s a year-over-year increase of 9.5%! Homeowners are wise to the value and importance of great kitchen lighting.

The 3x Types Of Kitchen Lighting You Need

Open kitchen lighting is different from enclosed kitchens. Achieving the right balance is all about layering three different types of light.

💡Pro tip – When lighting open kitchens, most people only focus on one or two types, and that’s why their kitchens never feel right. There are three types that are essential:

Task Lighting: Functional workhorse lighting that illuminates countertops, sinks, and cooking surfaces so you can actually see what you’re doing. Under-cabinet lights, as well as pendant lights over islands, are two popular examples of this layer.
Ambient Lighting: This is the overall illumination provided for the space. Recessed ceiling lights or flush-mount fixtures typically handle this role. They form the base layer of light that fills the room.
Accent Lighting: Decorative fixtures that highlight architectural features and create visual interest. These are the “jewelry” pieces in your lighting design that add personality and charm to your kitchen.

Missing any one of these layers? Your kitchen will feel incomplete. Too much of one type and not enough of another creates an imbalanced and off-putting effect.

three types of lighting used in an open kitchen — In this open kitchen design several types of lighting has been used

Photo credit – Emmanuel Ikwuegbu

Best Fixtures For Open Kitchen Layouts

Now we get to talk specific types of fixtures that work best when lighting open kitchens.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are the superheroes of open kitchen lighting. Why? They provide excellent task lighting over kitchen islands and peninsulas while doubling as statement pieces. Consequently pendants are used a good deal when lighting open kitchens.

Search queries for pendant lighting have increased 14% between 2024 and 2025, if that gives you any indication of how beloved they’ll continue to be.

Here’s what makes pendant lights ideal for open kitchens:

Zones the open space effectively
Adds vertical visual interest
Infinite style options to match any decor
Provides pinpoint focused lighting exactly where you need it

💡Pro tip – Don’t limit yourself to the antiquated rule of two pendants, either. Many designers now recommend three or even four fixtures for a more dynamic effect.

when lighting open kitchens don't limit the number of pendants — When lighting open kitchens don’t restrict yourself to just one pendant

Photo credit – Don Kaveen

Under-Cabinet Lighting

Ah, the unsung hero of kitchen lighting. Under-cabinet lights banish shadows on countertops and make food prep infinitely safer and easier. It’s purely functional light during the day, but then it transitions to a warm ambient glow at night when you don’t want full-on overhead lighting.

💡Pro tip- LED strips are the best option in this category – they’re energy-efficient, long-lasting, and offer even illumination across your entire counter space.

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lights, also known as can lights, are a staple of ambient lighting in open kitchens.

They offer general illumination but take up zero visual space. This is important in open floorplans where you want an airy uncluttered feel. Install them around the perimeter and over high-traffic walkways.

💡 Pro tip: Use dimmable recessed lights when lighting open kitchens so you can adjust the ambiance based on the time of day and activity.

Statement Chandeliers

Don’t have the kitchen or dining area? No worries. You can still add serious style points to your open kitchen.

Statement chandeliers hanging over the dining room or kitchen table create a focal point and visually tie the kitchen space to the adjacent living space. This is where you can get really creative with materials like crystal, wood, or metal.

💡 Pro tip: Natural materials are IN right now. Rattan, wood beads, and woven textures are huge for bringing warmth and organic charm to modern open kitchens.

wide open kitchen with huge island in central position — Making the most of natural light is also part of lighting open kitchens to get a good balance

Photo credit – Annie Spratt

Mixing Functional And Decorative Lights

Herein lies the dilemma most people face when lighting open kitchens…

You pick all these fixtures you absolutely love but forget all about functionality. Or you go the opposite direction and prioritize function but end up with a cold boring kitchen. The secret is being intentional about a mix of both.

Try this process:

💡Pro tip – When lighting open kitchens, begin with your functional needs first. Identify all the work zones that require task lighting. Once those areas are covered with practical fixtures, you can layer in your decorative pieces.

For instance, install under-cabinet LED strips for food prep (functional), then add gorgeous pendant lights over the island (decorative + functional), and finish the space off with a statement chandelier in the dining zone (decorative + ambient).

This way you never sacrifice function for style or vice versa.

Common Lighting Mistakes To Avoid

Even with the best of intentions, homeowners commit the same kitchen lighting faux pas year after year.

Here are the main offenders to avoid when lighting open kitchens:

Being too bright: Just because you can turn on all the lights doesn’t mean you should. Overlighting an area makes it feel harsh and clinical. Invest in dimmers and control the brightness at different times of the day.
Mixing warm and cool temperatures: Confused what I mean by temperature? No worries – this is the part of the post that will enlighten you! Mixing warm and cool temperature lighting fixtures in the same space creates a disjointed unharmonious feeling. Stick to one color temperature across all of your fixtures (2700K-3000K is the ideal range for kitchens).
Creating glare: Glossy countertops and shiny backsplashes are a recipe for irritating glare if your lighting isn’t positioned correctly. Place task lights toward the front edge of cabinets to minimize glare and reflections.
Neglecting zones: Open kitchens have different zones – cooking, dining, socializing. Each zone should have its own lighting that can be controlled separately. Don’t use one switch for the entire space.
Picking style over function: That trendy fixture you fell in love with at the showroom is great. But step back and ask yourself – is it really going to effectively light my workspace?

The best lighting design is all about prioritizing function first and then finding beautiful fixtures that ALSO serve those functional needs.

Final Thoughts on Lighting Open Kitchens

Open kitchens require more consideration and planning around lighting than their traditional closed counterparts. But nail the lighting and the payoff is huge.

Layer your three types of lighting, choose fixtures that balance function and style, and stay away from common lighting mistakes. You will end up with an open kitchen that is both practical AND beautiful.

The key in lighting open kitchens is this:

Invest in quality fixtures that serve more than one purpose. Use dimmers for flexibility in different situations. And remember – the best lighting design is one where you don’t even notice the fixtures themselves. You’re just basking in the perfectly lit environment they created.

Start with your functional requirements and build your decorative selections around that as the foundation. This approach ensures you end up with a kitchen that looks amazing and functions flawlessly.