As part of my kitchen renovation, I made the decision to replace the single flush mount ceiling light with recessed lighting to brighten up the room. Prior to making my decision, I saw a trend on social media, where several design influencers were voicing their dislike and disapproval of recessed lighting, especially in kitchens. The trend not only discouraged homeowners from installing recessed lighting, but encouraged them to have any existing recessed lights removed from their homes. After hearing this guidance, I carefully considered the lighting options for my kitchen and how different light sources would be used for a variety of activities throughout a day. Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that recessed lighting was the right choice for my particular space. And in the process, I developed my own home design hot take: “recessed lighting can be a great addition to a kitchen.” It’s elevated my space immensely, so if you are undecided on whether to include it in your kitchen design, I am sharing 7 reasons why I chose to install recessed lighting in my kitchen.
7 Reasons Why I Chose to Install Recessed Lighting in my Kitchen
(1) There is no natural light. Home design experts on Instagram advising against recessed lighting are likely working in modern homes with large windows where abundant natural light can pour into the interior spaces. Or they may be restoring older period homes that require them to rely heavily on historic designs to preserve the original character. In those scenarios, I understand why recessed lighting might not be part of the design plan, but for many homeowners, neither of those situations apply. In my home, there is no window above the kitchen sink, no skylight, or any source of natural light, so recessed lighting truly transformed the look and feel of the room. Originally, there was only a single flush mount ceiling light, which I knew was lacking, but I did not realize how dark it actually was at the time. Once the recessed lighting was installed, the room drastically improved from dim and dingy to light and airy. It was literally like turning on a bright light in a dark room.
(2) I spend a lot of time cooking. An aesthetically-designed kitchen is appealing, but for the home cook, it must also be functional to be of value. It’s incredibly helpful to have bright, overhead lighting when preparing food, and forgoing eliminating it is not a practical design choice for any homeowner who uses their kitchen as it is intended to be used. While a dimly lit space can be nice for aperitif or a romantic night in, it’s a strain on your vision when attempting to measure, chop, and sauté during while preparing meals. Relying on your phone’s flashlight to read a recipe is not ideal.
(3) I prefer multiple light sources. In my opinion, a kitchen should have more than one source of light. Most thoughtfully-designed kitchens contain several light sources, from recessed lighting and pendants to wall sconces and under cabinet lighting. Natural light is a huge bonus, but even small countertop lamps and flickering candles count as light sources and contribute to the visual interest that lighting creates. As such, recessed lighting should not be your only source of light; it should be one of many. This way, it does not have to always be turned on; rather, it can be used for specific tasks, like cooking, when needed. Advising people against recessed lighting limits their options. I will always choose access to more light rather than less.
(4) I was initially unsure if it would transform the space enough to be worth it. If you are unsure of the best lighting for your needs or if recessed lighting will be worth the investment, you are less likely to regret installing recessed lighting than forgoing it. Not only will you have the option to use it when needed, it will give you more opportunities to change the lighting to match your mood. With recessed lighting, you can request LED lights that have adjustable color temperatures, allowing you to change the warmth levels of the light. This means, you can select from options like warm, cool, soft, and daylight tones. You can also ask your electrician to install a dimmer switch for your recessed lighting, so you can adjust light levels beyond “on” and “off.” A dimmer switch is a small detail that can be easily overlooked when purchasing lighting, but so much can be done to customize a light, from lumens and kelvins to the type of bulb and light switch. The options abound!
(5) My kitchen is a multi-purpose space. Kitchens are deemed “the heart of the home,” because they are a central gathering spot where so many activities occur. Aside from cooking, a well-lit kitchen makes a great space for eating, working, long conversations, and children’s activities. There have been many times when I’ve sat in a bar stool at a kitchen island to work on a laptop, write greeting cards, wrap gifts, or sip a matcha latte while creating a to-do list and planning the day. How many times have you seen children doing homework or making a craft in a kitchen? If your kitchen is a multi-purpose space where people like to gather, it’s beneficial to have adequate lighting that can be used for specific tasks when needed. While pendant lighting and candles may be more appropriate for a soiree, recessed lighting will be much appreciated on a normal day when you need to accomplish something productive in your kitchen.
(6) From a visual design perspective, modern recessed lighting should blend in and be unnoticeable. Lighting technology has come along way over the past century. Today, recessed lighting boasts in a slim design that is intended to blend into the ceiling, rather than draw attention to it. If done correctly, you really should not notice the fixtures at all. I have seen some kitchens with multiple flush mount ceiling fixtures as an alternative to recessed lighting, and in my opinion, they are not visually appealing and do more to distract from the kitchen design than complement it. Slim, simple recessed lighting will allow you focus the eye on other statement lighting in the space like pendants over an island or sconces above an open shelf.
(7) Father knows best. My dad advised me quite a bit throughout my kitchen renovation process and helped me make some important decisions. My parents had completed their own full kitchen renovation a few years prior to me and were very pleased with their decision to brighten their space with recessed lighting. He insisted it would be worth the investment to have it installed. I have to admit he was right. Every time I need a bright light in that space, flipping the light switch brings me a huge sigh of relief. I never imagined lighting could reduce stress in such a simple way!
Those are the primary reasons why I chose to install recessed lighting in my kitchen. After exploring all of the variables, I feel as though experts who criticize the use of recessed lighting are likely viewing the space from an aesthetic perspective and are not considering all of the very practical ways in which people use the heart of the home.
If you find these tips helpful, and you are planning a renovation, be sure to read my post on 8 Ways to Save Money on a Kitchen Renovation.
