If your kitchen has a low ceiling, you may think your lighting options are limited. But there are a lot of great options for smooth ceiling kitchen lighting design. Here are ten ideas to help you brighten up your space, no matter your ceiling height.
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How a low ceiling can make your kitchen feel smaller and darker
If your kitchen has a low ceiling, it can feel smaller and darker than it is. A low ceiling can block natural light, making the space more closed. Add a light fixture to make your kitchen feel brighter and more open. Additional light fixtures will add a new light source to the room and help brighten the space. You can also add ambient lighting to help make the area feel more open and inviting. How to light up a dark kitchen.
10 ways to light up your low-ceiling kitchen
Plenty of lighting options can help brighten the space if your kitchen has a low ceiling. Here are ten different ideas to get you started:
Under-cabinet lights
Under-cabinet lighting can help brighten up a kitchen with low ceilings by providing task-specific lighting that illuminates the countertop and workspace below the cabinets. This type of lighting can be beneficial in a kitchen with low ceilings because it helps to create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye upwards rather than letting the low ceiling dominate the visual space. Additionally, under-cabinet lighting can help improve the kitchen’s overall ambiance by providing a warm, welcoming glow that can make the space feel more inviting and comfortable.
Puck Lights
Puck lights, also known as under cabinet lights or miniature recessed lights, are small, circular lights that can be installed under kitchen cabinets to provide task-specific lighting for the countertop and workspace below.
You can use puck lights to help brighten up a kitchen in several ways. First, they provide focused, directional lighting that illuminates the areas you need most, such as the countertop or kitchen island. This can be particularly helpful in a kitchen with low ceilings, as it helps to create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye upwards.
Additionally, puck lights can help improve the kitchen’s overall ambiance by providing a warm, welcoming glow that can make the space feel more inviting and comfortable.
LED Lights
LED lights are a good option for a kitchen with a low ceiling. These lights are known for their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and ability to produce bright, focused light without generating a lot of heat. This makes them a good choice for a kitchen with a low ceiling, where space may be limited and overheating is a concern.
Additionally, LED lights are available in a wide range of colors, styles, and sizes, so you can choose the right ones to suit the design of your kitchen and the type of lighting you need. Overall, LED lights can provide bright, energy-efficient lighting for a kitchen with a low ceiling, helping to improve the functionality and ambiance of the space.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting, also known as can lights or downlights, is a type of lighting installed into the ceiling so that the fixtures are flush with the surface. This makes them a good choice for a kitchen with a low ceiling, as they take up minimal space and won’t add to the feeling of the ceiling being too close.
Recessed lighting can provide focused, directional lighting that illuminates specific kitchen areas, such as the countertop or kitchen island. This can be particularly helpful in a kitchen with a low ceiling, as it can help to create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye upwards. Recessed lighting can be a good choice for providing bright, functional lighting in a kitchen with a low ceiling.
Track Lights
Track lighting can be a good option for a kitchen with a low ceiling. This type of lighting consists of a series of lights attached to a track, then mounted to the ceiling. This allows the lights to be positioned and directed in various ways, making it a flexible and versatile lighting solution.
Track lighting can be a good choice in a kitchen with a low ceiling because it allows you to focus the light where you need it most, such as on the countertop or kitchen island. This can help to create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye upwards rather than letting the low ceiling dominate the visual space.
Additionally, track lighting can be a good choice for a kitchen with a low ceiling because it comes in various styles and finishes, so you can choose the right one to suit the design of your kitchen.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights can be a good option for a kitchen with a low ceiling, depending on the height and placement of the lights. Also known as hanging or drop lights, pendant lights are suspended from the ceiling by a cord, chain, or rod. Pendant lights can be a good choice in a kitchen with a low ceiling because they provide focused, directional lighting that illuminates specific kitchen areas, such as the countertop or kitchen island.
This can help to create the illusion of more space by drawing the eye upwards rather than letting the low ceiling dominate the visual space. However, choosing the right height and placement for the pendant lights in a kitchen with a low ceiling is essential, as hanging them too low can make the ceiling feel even lower. In general, pendant lights should be hung at least 7 feet above the floor in a kitchen with a low ceiling, and they should be spaced evenly to avoid creating an uneven or cluttered look.
Island Lights
In a kitchen with a low ceiling, island lights can be a good choice because they provide focused, directional lighting that illuminates the workspace below.
Choosing the right height and placement for the island lights in a kitchen with a low ceiling is essential, as hanging them too low can make the ceiling feel even lower. In general, island lights should be hung at least 7 feet above the floor in a kitchen with a low ceiling, and they should be spaced evenly to avoid creating an uneven or cluttered look.
Wall Sconces
These lights can be a good option for a kitchen with a low ceiling, depending on the height and placement of the sconces. Wall sconces are lights that are mounted on the wall and typically provide both ambient and task lighting. In a kitchen with a low ceiling, wall sconces can be a good choice because they provide focused, directional lighting that illuminates specific kitchen areas, such as the countertop or kitchen island.
In general, wall sconces should be hung at least 6 feet above the floor in a kitchen with a low ceiling, and they should be spaced evenly to avoid creating an uneven or cluttered look.
Skylights
Skylights can be a good option for a kitchen with a low ceiling because they allow natural light to enter the space, which can help to create the illusion of more space and make the kitchen feel brighter and more open. Additionally, skylights can help improve the kitchen’s overall ambiance by providing a connection to the outdoors and a sense of openness and airiness.
However, skylights can also be expensive to install and maintain and may not be suitable for all types of kitchens. Before installing a skylight, it’s essential to consider the cost, potential benefits, and your kitchen’s overall design and layout. It may be helpful to consult with a professional designer or contractor to determine if a skylight is a right choice for your space.
Use Reflective Surfaces
One way to use reflective surfaces to spread light in a kitchen with a low ceiling is to incorporate mirrored or shiny surfaces into the design. For example, you could install mirrored backsplashes or add shiny metal accents, such as stainless steel appliances or brass cabinet hardware. These surfaces will reflect light into the space, helping to brighten up the kitchen and create the illusion of more space.
Additionally, you can use light-colored paint, wallpaper, or tiles to reflect light and create a bright, airy atmosphere. By incorporating reflective surfaces into your kitchen design, you can effectively spread and amplify the available light, helping to improve the overall ambiance of the space.
How can I make my kitchen ceiling look higher?
There are several ways to make a kitchen ceiling look higher, even if it is low in height. One way to do this is to use light-colored paint or wallpaper on the ceiling. Light colors tend to reflect more light and create the illusion of more space, so using a light color on the ceiling can help to make it appear higher. Additionally, you can use vertical or diagonal stripes on the ceiling to create the illusion of height. Another way to make a kitchen ceiling look higher is to use low-hanging light fixtures, such as pendant lights or chandeliers, which will draw the eye upwards and create the illusion of more space above the ceiling.
Finally, you can use mirrors or other reflective surfaces on the ceiling to create the illusion of height by reflecting the available light and making the space feel brighter and more open. By combining these techniques, you can effectively make a low kitchen ceiling appear higher and create a more spacious, open atmosphere.
