Laura Brophy Interiors

When most people picture the perfect kitchen, a few things might come to mind.

From beautiful appliances toample counter spaceto perfectly organized walk-in pantries, everyone has different musts on their list.

But how do you make an optimal kitchen lighting plan?

Laura Brophy open and exposed kitchen shelves

Laura Brophy Interiors

We turned to the experts to find out.

This means multiple light sources are ideal, but theyre not always included.

Want more design inspiration?

copper kitchen pendant lights

Michelle Berwick Design

There Are Ambient, Task, and Accent Lighting Options

The duo teaches us that… Often, this is a zone ignored.

But as Bruce notes, its a space that calls for more intimate lighting.

Keep it simple with a row of clear glass or white pendants, Bruce says.

Fall table in an eat-in kitchen

Finding Lovely

Or, consider large industrial-style pendants to add depth to the space.

Also called the beam angle, this looks at how wide the light reaches from a single source.

For example, spotlights have a smaller spread than floodlights.

All white kitchen with brown kitchen island and gold domed lighting

Studio KT

A wide beam angle will spread the light evenly and cover a bigger area, Blaustein says.

Without it, it’s possible for you to unintentionally create a safety hazard in your kitchen.

Decorative lights above your island or breakfast area can also help.

Most notably, though, she suggests putting your lights on a dimmer and using multiple switches.

Its important to have your kitchen well-lit when prepping and dimmed when eating, Blaustein says.

I recommend putting these different lights on a separate switch.

If possible, consider adding under-cabinet strip lighting or smaller sideboard lamps.

This alone can give your kitchen a professionally designed feel.