Small kitchen lighting ideas to illuminate the space

We often refer to the kitchen as the heart of the home, and that rings true whether you have a sprawling open space or a small kitchen area. Lighting plays a crucial role in the kitchen, creating an inviting atmosphere, enhancing functionality and making the space feel bigger than it is. 

With the right lighting strategies, you can transform even the smallest kitchen into a bright and welcoming culinary haven. 

In this guide, we’ll take you through a variety of small kitchen lighting ideas to help you get the most out of your compact cooking space and illuminate it both stylishly and practically. 

Layer your lighting 

An effective approach to lighting any room is to incorporate multiple layers of illumination. With a combination of ambient, accent and task lighting, you can create dimension and depth to the space, whilst ensuring that every part of the kitchen is well-lit. 

Ambient lighting 

When designing the lighting of the space, start with overhead ambient lighting that provides overall illumination. For small kitchens, recessed ceiling lights, flush-mount fixtures and track lighting evenly distribute the light and brighten the whole kitchen. 

Task lighting 

Task lighting is very much needed in a kitchen, as you need to safely perform activities like chopping food and cooking on the hob. Consider lighting under the cabinets, or use adjustable track lighting to illuminate the work surfaces and minimise shadows in the small space. 

Accent lighting 

You can add visual interest and ambience to your small kitchen with accent lighting. Highlight any architectural features or display shelves with LED strip lights. Use recessed spotlights to create focal points in the room and help enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the kitchen. 

Small Kitchen lighting ideas 

With these tips and tricks, you can give the illusion of a bigger and brighter space in your small kitchen. 

Utilise natural light 

Maximise any natural light in your small kitchen to help create a bright and airy space. Keep windows uncovered or use sheer curtains to allow sunlight to beam into the room. If you’re concerned about privacy, consider installing frosted or textured glass so you can still allow the natural light to shine through. 

Another way to visually expand the space is by placing a mirror opposite the window to help reflect light in the room. 

Choose space-saving fixtures 

In a small kitchen your space is precious, so choose lighting fixtures that are sleek, compact and discreet. When shopping for your lights look for flush-mount fixtures that hug the ceiling, pendant lights that are narrow, or slimline recessed lights. Each of these will help to minimise the visual clutter in your kitchen and maximise the headroom. 

Wall lights can make ceilings look higher 

Install wall lights to help distribute light around the space. Position them a little lower than you usually would with a wall light, as this can help to create the illusion of higher ceilings. 

Pair reflective surfaces with downlights 

Thoughtfully place downlights with reflective splashbacks and surfaces to create a much bigger space than you have. The reflective surface will act like a mirror to bounce light around the room, and by placing lights here you can always ensure that it’s bright and beautiful. 

Install dimmer switches 

Dimmer switches are a great addition to lighting in small kitchens as they allow you to create different moods from the lights you have installed without having multiple lighting options when you’re short of space. 

Don’t discount candles 

Use candles in a small kitchen, either real flames or fake ones, to add a touch of romance to your small kitchen. 

Reflective light fixtures 

In small kitchen areas choose light fixtures that have a reflective metallic finish to add an overall brightness to the space. 

How to add more light to a small kitchen 

Choosing the right lighting is important for a small kitchen space, however, there are some other tips and tricks that you can follow to get the most out of the space. 

Using a lighter colour for your walls will help to banish dark areas in the room and create a bigger-looking space. What’s more, you’ll want to choose light floors and cabinets too. 

Reflective surfaces, like gloss cabinets, worktops and flooring are ideal to help bounce light around a small room. However, if you much prefer matte cabinets it’s best to keep them below eye level in a small kitchen. 

Small kitchens work best with as little cabinets on the walls as possible, choose open shelving instead. However, if you’re short on space and need wall cabinets in a small kitchen, opt for those with glass fronts and light them up from within with cabinet lighting. 

Are LED lights the best choice for a small kitchen? 

LEDs are the ideal choice for small kitchen lighting solutions as they have a low heat emission, whilst this is energy efficient, it’s ideal in a space that’s going to heat quickly because of the size and the fact you’ll be cooking in there. 

Whilst they may cost a little more to install, they’re worth the money in terms of how they run and how long they last too. 

Lighting your small kitchen 

Using these small kitchen lighting ideas you can brighten and beautify your compact space whilst maximising functionality and style. 

Whether you’re cooking, entertaining, or simply enjoying a meal, proper lighting can make all the difference in creating an efficient kitchen environment. Use these bright ideas to illuminate your small kitchen and transform it into a stylish hub that feels bigger than it is.