General Lighting

• The best kitchen lighting designs begin with general, overhead lighting. Install a central fixture suspended from the ceiling, or opt for a ceiling-hugging version for lower spaces. Some people enjoy having a fan in the kitchen, and you can purchase light kits to attach to many models that provide even, overhead light. For a modern effect, install recessed can fixtures in your ceiling.
  
  

Task Lighting

• Illuminate your counters and work surfaces in the kitchen by installing under-cabinet lighting. You can purchase strip lighting fixtures that are neatly concealed beneath your cabinets and provide even light, ensuring safety when you are cutting up food. Another more-decorative option is to install hanging pendant fixtures above your kitchen island or stove area. These fixtures are available in colorful blown glass or can be covered in minimal metal shells.
  
  

Add Ambiance

• Not all kitchen lighting has to be purely functional. Create an atmosphere by adding accent lighting, such as above-cabinet fixtures that illuminates the edge of the ceiling plane. Another option is to install wall sconces along the perimeter of the space, which can be switched on when your family is dining at the kitchen bar or breakfast nook.
  
  

Fixture Types

• Incandescent fixtures have traditionally been the most common choice for use in homes, but there are a few more energy-efficient options on the market. Install compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which cast a cool, white light ideal for lighting a kitchen. Light emitting diode (LED) fixtures are also becoming more common in the kitchen, and they are most often used for under- or over-cabinet lighting.