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Creating the Perfect Kitchen Lighting Scheme

Kitchen Lighting Checklist by author Meghan Carter

  • The types of kitchen lighting.
  • Kitchen lighting evaluation form.
  • Kitchen light switch evaluation form.
  • video
  • article
  • checklist
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Types of Kitchen Lighting
Checking to make sure you have the right types of kitchen lighting.

    Check the box next to each type of lighting you currently or plan to have in your kitchen. If you do not currently have all three types of kitchen lighting, you may want to consider adding some to your lighting scheme. General and task kitchen lighting are considered essential. Accent lighting is not needed, but creates a nice ambience and can be useful for entertaining or performing small tasks in the kitchen such as getting a glass of water.

General Kitchen Lighting
  • Large lighting fixture in the center of the kitchen
  • Recessed can lights pointing towards the floor
  • Recessed can lights pointing towards the cabinets
  • Other: ___________________________
Task Kitchen Lighting
  • Under cabinet lighting
  • Pendant lighting over countertops
  • Bright track lighting over countertops
  • Lighting inside range hood
  • Other:____________________________
Accent Lighting
  • Lighting behind crown molding
  • Lighting inside cabinets with glass doors
  • Lighting along toe kick
  • Other:____________________________

Kitchen Lighting Evaluation
Checking to make sure you have enough kitchen lighting.

    Check the box next to each statement that is true about your current or future kitchen. If one of the boxes below is not checked, you may want to look into adding light fixtures to your kitchen lighting scheme.

  • There is an under cabinet light under each one of the upper cabinets.
  • There is a pendant, chandelier or spotlight over every countertop that does not have a cabinet above it.

  • There is general kitchen lighting that provides light for all of the walkways in the kitchen.
  • There is lighting directly above the sink that provides enough light to clearly see.
  • There is lighting directly above the stovetop that provides enough light to clearly see.
  • There is enough lighting to allow you to see inside the kitchen cabinets when the doors are open.
  • There is lighting inside of cabinets with glass doors.

Kitchen Light Switch Evaluation
Checking to make sure you have the right amount, location and type of light switches in your kitchen.

    Check each box next to a statement that is true about your current or future kitchen. If one box is not checked, you may want to rethink your light switch setup. Having too many light switches can make turning lights on difficult, but having too few makes it hard to achieve the right amount of light for the task you're performing.

  • You have a different light switch for the main three types of lighting in your kitchen: general, task and accent lighting. - or - You have a different light switch for the different geographic locations in your kitchen: the kitchen island, the back walls, the front wall, etc.
  • You don't have a light switch for every individual light in your kitchen.
  • You don't have just one light switch in your kitchen.
  • You have a set of light switches at every entrance to the kitchen that allows you to turn all of the kitchen lights on.
  • You have dimmer switches on your accent and task lighting.




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