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Lighting

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Kitchen Lighting

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Light Up Your Kitchen With LEDS

LED lights definitely tick all the boxes in terms of efficiency, function and style for your kitchen. Here's how to make them work for you

Kate McKee 10 June 2014

Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse range of topics ranging from health and beauty to landscape architecture and interior design. I have a very inquisitive nature and love to share my findings with others.

Houzz contributor, freelance writer and home design enthusiast. I write on a diverse... More

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Light-emitting diodes (otherwise known as LEDs) reign supreme in the light globe kingdom as they are both eco- and cost-efficient. Lasting up to 100 times longer than old-school incandescent globes, LEDs also use less electricity than most other globes on the market and come minus the mercury, which is always a good thing. LED lighting may cost you a bit more in the short-term, but you will actually save money in the long-term as they don’t need to be replaced very often (which, let’s face it, is always a major pain). To really get your gold merit badge for being eco-friendly, as well as to cut down on long running costs, also think about installing dimmers, movement sensors or programmable timers.

When looking at what you want to achieve in your kitchen lighting scheme, consider what you will specifically be using the space for. For example, task lighting is for a purpose such as lighting your island bench so you can safely prepare dinner. Then there is feature lighting, if you want to show off a particularly good-looking section of your kitchen, such as a decorative splashback, or when you have a lighting scheme that is a feature in its own right such as a modern chandelier. Finally, there is lighting for atmosphere and ambience. After all, the kitchen is often one of the most used rooms in the home, so you want it to be an inviting hub of activity.

Union Studio

Keep it cool
If you live in a warm area of Australia – you know you don’t want to make your kitchen any warmer than it needs to be come the summer months. LED lights can be a great option for task lighting as they emit little heat. These large drum shade pendants provide both form and function. They capture your attention, but also provide ample task lighting for the island bench below.

Mal Corboy Design

The magic eye
LED EyeLights are a great option for ceilings if you are looking for a discreet lighting scheme that is also practical in nature. You also won’t need to get the ladder out to change them very often as LEDs can last for years at a time.

Contemporary Kitchen Contemporary Kitchen

Fit LEDs into your ceiling lights
LEDs emit light in one specific direction, which makes them a good fit for task lighting. Hanging lights can really inject some personality into a kitchen. We love the library-style wall lights fixed above the benchtop shown in this New Zealand home.

Esther Hershcovich

Strong and sturdy
LEDs are often sturdier than many other lights as they are made with an epoxy lens instead of glass and are, therefore, less likely to suffer from easy breakage.

Holly Marder

Get down with downlights
LED downlights are a great way to draw attention to a feature and also create interest, particularly when paired with a coloured wall surface.

Zugai Strudwick Architects

Illuminate your cabinets
LEDs are a great match for under-cabinet and in-cabinet lighting, as they are small and illuminate in one direction. Many LED fixtures also have a very streamlined look, which is a perfect match for modern style kitchens.

CAPITAL BUILDING :: Apartment - Renovations

Light up architectural elements Due to their clean, bright light, LEDs are perfect for casting light onto your architectural features such as with this sleek range hood and stovetop. Also, try not to limit yourself to just one lighting element. Have a range of features, such as the task lighting, LED EyeLights and hanging pendants pictured in this South Coogee, Sydney home.

Avocado Sweets Design Studio

Take your scheme to task
Task lighting may be practical, but it doesn’t need to be boring. As LEDs are quite directional in nature, you will need to add a few different lamps for ample task lighting. The elegant series of lights pictured here above the sassy bright orange Silestone island bench is the perfect addition to this kitchen area.

Luci.D Interiors

Update your globes
If you’re looking to switch from halogen or incandescent globes to the more eco-efficient LEDs, there are tonnes of replacement globes on the market today for most standard types of fixtures.

Born Builders

Get quirky with rope lights
LED rope lights or strip lighting is ideal for illuminating that tricky area under your cupboard storage and above your kitchen bench, or for most long and narrow spaces such as shelving.

Jill K Greene of Boca Kitchens & Baths

Light it up underfoot
LED strip lights are a great option for lighting up under your kitchen drawers and cabinets. It’s also a brilliant way to draw attention to that fancy flooring.

SHOW US
Have you used LED lights to great effect in your kitchen? We’d love to see it, so please post a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.

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Vintage LED

Now kitchen pendant lights can also be upgraded to LED - these are warm in colour and dim too!

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Dan Kitchens Australia

I saw some of these recently and felt it was a great idea. The old style light bulbs are incredibly inefficient and have been limited to 20W, providing very little light. What is the typical light intensity of the new LED vintage bulbs?

1 Like 9 April 2015 at 10:49AM

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Adriana Nascimento

I bought some LED pendant light for my kitchen (it was the last 3 left on the shop, that was closing down) one of the light flash but doesn't turn on. Do you know if I can change the light or transformer and if I do need an electrician to change it, or if I need a whole new pendant.