It’s incredibly inconvenient when you’re trying to work in your kitchen, and there isn’t enough light.
Whether you’re chopping vegetables or scrubbing pots, you want to be able to see what you’re doing. This is why optimizing your kitchen lighting is essential.
Recessed lighting is a popular choice, but how exactly should you place the lighting? We’re here to help you.
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When placing lights in your kitchen, consider ambient and task lighting. For ambient lighting, use one light per 25 square feet. For task lighting, place lights about 24 inches from the wall, aligned with countertop edges, and centered on key areas like the sink and stove.
Keep reading for additional information on how to create a safe and pleasant lighting environment for your kitchen!
How far should recessed lights be from a wall?
The ideal spacing for recessed lighting depends on its purpose. For ambient lighting, a general rule of thumb is to divide the ceiling height by two to find the optimal spacing between lights.
Another guideline suggests that the distance of the lights from the walls should be 1/2 the distance between lights.
So for example, if your kitchen ceiling is 8 feet high, you want the lights to be spaced 4 feet apart and 2 feet away from the walls.
If your kitchen ceiling is 10 feet high, the lights should be 5 feet apart and 2.5 feet away from the walls.
Many areas in the kitchen need task lighting in addition to ambient lighting. Experts suggest placing task lights about 2 feet from the wall, in line with the counter’s edge.
Lights too close to the wall cause glare on upper cabinets, while lights too far away get blocked by a person standing at the counter.
Shadows on your workspace are not only annoying but also a safety issue. Proper lighting helps you see clearly when handling knives or hot pans and spot spills before they become slipping hazards.
Recessed lights over a kitchen sink: distance from the wall
The kitchen sink area needs ample lighting. Without upper cabinets over the sink, you can position recessed lights 12 inches from the wall to center them over the sink.
Alternatively, divide the distance between your work area and ceiling by 4 to find the ideal light distance. For example, with 3-foot countertops and 8-foot ceilings, place lights 15 inches from the wall.
Many people choose to install two recessed lights over the sink rather than one.
If you decide to do so, draw an imaginary line down the center of the sink and place the two lights equidistant from this line to provide optimal illumination.
How closely should recessed lights be placed?
For ambient lighting, a frequently used rule of thumb is to divide the ceiling height by two and use that as the space between lights. So if your ceiling is 8 feet high, place the lights 4 feet apart.
Another good rule of thumb is to space lights twice the distance from the walls. For example, if lights are 24 inches from the wall to align with the countertop edge, place the next light 4 feet away.
Adjust this spacing based on your room’s size and dimensions.
For task lighting, treat each focal area as its own room. If lighting your sink or kitchen island, place the outermost lights a certain distance from the edge of the workspace and then position any inner lights accordingly.
Another consideration is the width of the light beam from your chosen light fixture. Deeply recessed lights that only cast a 30-degree cone of light will need to be placed fairly close together.
Flush-mount lights with a 90-degree or more angle can be placed farther apart.
How far should spotlights be from kitchen cabinets?
In most cases, your upper cabinets will be approximately 12 inches deep and situated above counters, which are about 24 inches deep.
If you line up the lights with the edge of the counter, this will put them about 12 inches away from the front of the upper cabinets.
In other parts of your kitchen, like the pantry or fridge, place the light about 12 inches from the front of the fixture you want to illuminate.
This might mean positioning it 36 inches from the wall or even 48 inches for a large fridge.
Galley kitchen recessed lighting placement
Recessed lighting can be a great choice for a galley kitchen because it doesn’t take up much space, and there’s no risk of banging your head on a low-hanging fixture!
However, the narrow shape of a galley kitchen can present challenges when it comes to lighting placement.
Resist the temptation to simply run lights straight down the center of the room. This will almost certainly lead to issues with shadowy countertops.
Instead, follow the same principles as you would for a larger kitchen. Choosing smaller recessed lights can help if larger ones make your ceiling look cluttered.
In any kitchen, it’s smart to keep different lighting zones on separate switches and make the lights dimmable.
This allows you to use just the right amount of light for the space, preventing overpowering brightness while still providing plenty of light for gloomy evenings.
Enjoy a bright future in your kitchen!
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home. Don’t put up with poor lighting!
Use the tips we’ve shared to optimize your kitchen lighting and enjoy the benefits of well-placed recessed lights. Your kitchen will be brighter, more functional, and a joy to work in!
Before you go, be sure to check out some of our other posts:
How To Choose The Right Recessed Lighting
Should Recessed Lighting Be Symmetrical?
