Kitchen Lighting Ideas & Options – Prices & Cost

Ballpark Estimate: $500 to $3,000

More than any other space within the home, the kitchen has been the object of transformation. As its form and function continue to evolve, so have the options of lighting sources for the kitchen. The average kitchen built more than fifty years ago was typically equipped with a ceiling mounted incandescent fixture that was positioned in the center of the space. However, as the sole source of illumination, these fixtures were less than ideal in that they produced harsh lighting and awkward shadows. This lighting convention was later replaced with fluorescent lights, which were touted as the ultimate modern-age light source. Because these fixtures were typically also positioned centrally within the space, however, they did not resolve the shortcomings of incandescent light sources. In fact, not only did these fluorescent lights create annoying shadows, they produced light that was drab, institutional and uninviting.

During this period of transformation, the kitchen has expanded its role by including such uses as gathering place, informal office, and kids’ study room in addition to its traditional cooking duty. With these challenges of form and function in mind, light manufacturers responded by creating lighting choices that have kept pace with the evolution of the kitchen. As the kitchen continues to redefine itself, so too are lighting sources by offering options that are appealing and that perform specific functions that match the kitchen’s role as a truly multi-functional space.

A visit to your local home improvement center or lighting specialty store reveals the broad palette of lighting designs and sources that are available. However, unless you come prepared with a plan, the choices can be overwhelming. Fortunately, by understanding a few simple concepts you will able to use the various lighting types in combinations that will add value and beauty to your kitchen.

It’s helpful to think of kitchen lighting types in terms of their intended use. Broadly speaking, these types include ambient light and task light. Let’s now review the many specific ambient and task light sources that are available.

Ambient Light

Ambient light is used to illuminate the entire kitchen space and to define its mood. Ambient light should fill shadows, eliminate dark corners, and provide the ability to control the kitchen’s overall level of brightness.

Natural Light

Windows and skylights provide ambient light during daylight hours. However, if these are not ideally positioned in your kitchen, you can still bring in natural daylight without undertaking the expense of a larger scale remodel project. One way to accomplish this is by installing a solar tube type of product. This product is composed of an acrylic lens that is installed on the roof or outer wall of the home, and a diffuser that is installed in your kitchen ceiling. Connecting these two end points is a tube that is installed through the home’s attic, and through closets if more than one story separates the roof from the kitchen. This tube is lined with highly reflective material that directs captured sunlight to the diffuser and into the kitchen. There is virtually no heat transfer through solar tubes, and condensation is minimized by incorporating breathable expansion joints in the tube design.

Solar tube products are manufactured by several companies. A leader among these is SOLATUBE. Solar tube products are installed by local distributors that can be found online. Since product characteristics and warranties can vary significantly, it is helpful to request a list of satisfied customers from the installers you are considering.

Solar tube products offer a relatively simple and cost effective way to provide daytime ambient light to the kitchen. The “standard” kitchen installation includes four feet of 10-inch diameter tube, roof lens, and diffuser. Add about $15 for each additional foot of 10-inch tube required for your particular installation. Most installers provide cost quotes that include labor.

• Material and labor costs: $350 for a “standard” kitchen installation.

Ceiling Light

Regardless of your daytime light source, you’ll want to carefully plan your ambient illumination for other times of the evening and night when kitchens are at their busiest. Surprisingly, centrally positioned ceiling fixtures are still popular. Today’s most popular designs provide softer, indirect illumination that minimizes shadows. To accomplish this, these fixtures are mounted a few inches below the ceiling enabling them to bounce light off of the ceiling. These fixtures, known as semi-flush mounted fixtures, are available in many styles to coordinate with the kitchen’s décor.

Dimmer switches work well with ambient lights since they allow you to fine tune the room’s brightness and overall mood.

As is the case with all of the other lighting installations discussed below, an electrician or handyman with specific electrical experience can remove and replace a ceiling mounted fixture. Additionally, an experienced handyman can patch any holes in the ceiling that remain visible after the new light fixture is installed.

• Material Cost: $35 to $450 per ceiling light fixture
• Material Cost: $10 to $65 per dimmer switch
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Perimeter Lights

Despite their history, the fluorescent light fixture has retained its position as a good source of ambient light. However, to avoid shadows, florescent fixtures are often installed around the perimeter of the kitchen. A popular way to do this is to install fluorescent strip fixtures above kitchen cabinets in such a way that the fixtures are not visible from floor level. This type of installation fills the kitchen with indirect illumination by bouncing light off of the ceiling and walls.

Additionally, fluorescent tubes are now available in “color temperatures” that create light that is much more warm and inviting than their predecessors. These tubes can be identified by labeling such as “warm white.” Today’s florescent fixtures can also be operated using dimmer switches, allowing you to vary the intensity of light and thereby specifically define the room’s “feel.” Fluorescent fixtures are available in lengths as short as 18 inches and as long as 8 feet long.

• Material Cost: $12 to $35 per fixture
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Task Light

Task lights provide illumination to specific work areas, for example countertop areas where cooking tasks are performed.

Fluorescent Lights

If the work area is directly beneath a cabinet, under-cabinet fixtures work very well. In fact, under-cabinet lights have enjoyed very wide use and are a popular part of most kitchen remodel projects. Under-cabinet lighting can be provided by a fluorescent strip fixture that is equipped with a light-diffusing cover. Properly mounted, fluorescent under-cabinet fixtures provide excellent task lighting with their ability to wash entire surface areas with shadowless light. As noted above, choose fluorescent tubes in the warmer “color temperatures” to ensure your fixtures create light that is inviting as well as functional. Under-cabinet fluorescent fixtures are available in 12-inch to 36-inch lengths.

• Material Cost: $15 to $50 per fixture
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Puck Lights

Another popular under-cabinet lighting choice is the puck light, named for its resemblance to a hockey puck. These lights provide a more concentrated light compared to fluorescents. To be most effective, puck lights should be installed equidistant between the front edge of the cabinet and the wall. The disadvantage of using puck lights in this type of installation, however, is that the electrical cord will either remain visible between the light and wall, or it will have to be run up into the cabinet and then back to the wall. Either way, the cord cannot be fully hidden as it can be with a properly installed fluorescent under-cabinet fixture.

Puck lights also operate at relatively higher temperatures, which may discolor the underside of your cabinet. Puck lights will operate cooler if equipped with xenon bulbs rather than halogen.

Also keep in mind that while fluorescent under-cabinet fixtures wash broad areas in light, puck lights produce a more concentrated beam. This means that you’ll want to arrange pucks in such a way to avoid creating shadows or dimly lit areas. Also keep in mind that the intense light produced by puck lights may cast a cone-shaped light pattern on your backsplash or wall. Puck lights are typically sold singly or in packages of up to five or six lights.

It’s helpful to keep in mind that regardless of any light’s specific primary function, it can serve as a source of ambient light to match the immediate need. For example, the soft glow of diffused under-cabinet fixtures provides a warm light that’s just right for late night conversation.

• Material Cost: $10 per puck light
• Material Cost: $40 to $50 per package of five puck lights
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Light Bar

A relatively new addition to under-cabinet light sources is the light bar. Similar to a fluorescent fixture, the light bar is in the shape of a rectangular box, some of which come equipped with a light diffusing cover. Rather than using fluorescent tubes these fixtures are fitted with one, two or three individual puck lights. Light bars that are equipped with diffusing covers effectively soften the otherwise intense light produced by puck lights enabling them to illuminate broad work areas similar to fluorescent light sources.

Since under-cabinet light bars can be installed against the kitchen wall similar to fluorescent fixtures, you can avoid the problem of unsightly exposed cords.

Light bars are available in either xenon or halogen bulb designs. Keep in mind that while halogen bulbs provide light that is brighter than xenon, they also operate at hotter temperatures as noted above.

• Material Cost: $20 to $55 depending on the number of puck lights per fixture
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Recessed Ceiling Lights

Work areas of the kitchen that are not situated beneath a cabinet, such as sinks and islands, can be illuminated by task lights that are installed directly in the ceiling. There are an interesting variety of task light sources that can be installed in the ceiling. These include recessed lights, hanging fixtures, and track lights. Recessed lighting has become the standard in kitchen lighting upgrades. They are available in a variety of diameters, from very small halogen fixtures that produce intense beams of light, to wider fixtures that use incandescent bulbs to produce somewhat softer illumination.

Recessed lights are comprised of two components. The first of these components is the actual fixture, which is called the canister or “can.” This is the part that is installed out of sight above the ceiling. The other component is the trim, which is the designer part that hides the “can” and remains visible after the installation. These two components are usually purchased separately providing you with limitless combinations of fixture type and decorative trim.

Recessed “cans” are categorized as either line-voltage or low-voltage. Line voltage simply means that the fixture is designed to operate using normal household electrical power without the need of a transformer. Line voltage fixtures are typically the larger diameter lights that use incandescent bulbs. These bulbs are labeled as either PAR20 or R20, and are available in various wattages.

Low voltage fixtures, on the other hand, require electrical power to be stepped down. To accomplish this, low voltage fixtures contain transformers that are built-in to the fixture. This makes low voltage fixtures typically more expensive than line voltage types. Low voltage fixtures incorporate canisters that are relatively smaller in diameter and use halogen bulbs that are available in various wattages.

Both types of recessed lights are similarly installed. However, whichever type you choose, care should be used in positioning your fixtures to ensure adequate coverage and shadowless illumination.

Also note that recessed lights work very well with dimmer switches. Using dimmers will allow you to also use your recessed fixtures as a source of ambient light.

• Material Cost: $15 to $100 per line voltage fixture
• Material Cost: $80 to $155 per low voltage fixture
• Material Cost: $5 to $8 per line voltage R20 or PAR20 light bulb
• Material Cost: $10 per low voltage halogen bulb
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Pendant Lights

The pendant light fixture represents another source of task light that works well over sinks and islands. Pendants are available in many styles and colors, and provide more of a designer element than recessed fixtures. You can choose pendants that coordinate with your kitchen’s décor. Or you can select colors, shapes and textures that provide contrast and high visual interest to the room. Either way, pendants are a cost effective way to make a highly visible statement to your kitchen.

Pendants attach to the ceiling by cords, rods, chains or combinations of these. Some are even equipped with telescoping cords to allow you to adjust the distance between the fixture and work surface. Unless you’ve selected a telescoping fixture, you’ll want to install your pendant about 36 inches above the work surface for best results. You can choose pendants that use incandescent, halogen or fluorescent light sources.

An interesting twist on the pendant design is the combination pot rack/task light. These fixtures combine the familiar hanging pot rack with built-in task lights. These relatively large fixtures work well over islands in larger kitchens.

• Material Cost: $10 to $55 per pendant
• Material Cost: up to $500 per pendant with telescoping cord
• Material Cost: $150 per combination pot rack/task light
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Track Lights

The track light is another way to provide task light that uses a highly visible fixture. Track light fixtures are available in many designs, from retro to ultra modern and everything in between.

Some track fixtures provide individual lights that are permanently positioned along the length of the track, while others provide lights that can slide along the length of the track to provide unlimited adjustability. Whether fixed in place or slidable, the individual lights can be rotated and pivoted allowing you to aim beams of lights simultaneously to different surfaces or areas of the kitchen. Illumination sources include incandescent or halogen bulbs.

The highly adjustable nature of track lights allow them to be used in interesting combinations. For example, while some of the lights can be pointed to work surfaces to function as task lights, others can be directed to bounce light off of walls or the ceiling to create ambient light, while yet others can be aimed at a feature of the kitchen that you want to showcase, such as a china hutch or a floral arrangement.

Tracks can be made of metal rails or metal wires. Rail designs come in various lengths from 3 feet to 12 feet. Some track light manufacturers make rails that can be bent and shaped by the installer to provide a look that is truly custom.

Track lights that use wires rather than rails come in lengths as long as 20 feet. These wires can be cut to size by the installer to suit any size kitchen.

• Material Cost: $30 to $130 per track with fixed-position lights
• Material Cost: $120 to $270 per track with movable lights
• Labor Cost: $25 to $50/hour

Additional Costs

There will be additional related costs incurred as part of a lighting upgrade project. These include the cost of the cable that is required to connect new fixtures to the home’s electrical power, electrical junction boxes, and new switches. If a new electrical circuit is needed to support the new light fixtures, a new circuit breaker will also be required. Your particular requirement for these additional materials will depend on variables such as the number of lights that will be installed in your project, the size of your kitchen, the number and type of switches to be used, and the distance to an adequate electrical power source.

To avoid surprises, it is helpful to ask the installer to account for these additional material costs as a line item that is separate from his labor charge.

We really ask a lot of our kitchens. Not only do we use them for different functions, we often perform these different functions simultaneously. Once your kitchen is equipped with a well-planned variety of lighting types you will be able to layer them in combinations that will provide illumination that is appealing and that is appropriate for each task and purpose.