Best Kitchen Lights for Low Ceilings

Many homeowners might work with a ceiling with a standard height of 8 feet or less, and while this may not seem very tall, there are many workarounds. Luckily there is a wide range of lighting ideas for low ceilings that can help transform the look and feel of your home. In this article, we share the best kitchen lights that you can use to brighten up the space around your kitchen.  

Why Do I Need Low Ceiling Lights?

When you want your lighting scheme to match the height of your ceiling, you should always look into lights made specifically for low ceilings. When you want to renovate your entire kitchen or simply update the light fixtures, there is a wide range of lighting options available in the market. 

Different Types of Kitchen Lights

Before we get into these great options, it’s important to understand that lighting can be categorized into 4 main types, all of which serve a particular purpose. 

• Ambient Lighting: Refers to general lighting that can brighten up the whole area. 
• Task Lighting: This can be helpful when performing specific tasks such as chopping food or washing dishes. 
• Accent Lighting: This can highlight certain features within your space. 
• Decorative Lighting: Serves as a source of light and as a design element.  

Pendant Lights

When you have a low ceiling but want to work some pendant lights in, there are a few things you will need to consider. Think about the size of your kitchen pendants since there might not be much space for your light fixture above your kitchen island. The general rule is for pendant lights to hang at least 30 inches above the countertop for optimal functionality and visibility. 

Pendant lights can come in different heights, so be sure to pick a fixture that provides plenty of clearance. Moreover, keep in mind that a lower ceiling can give your space an enclosed feeling before choosing a decorative pendant for your low-ceilinged kitchen. It’s because of this reason that it’s best to choose a visually lightweight or clear glass-style light fixture to give the illusion of more space.   

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lights can be the perfect choice for kitchens that have low ceilings since they can help maximize general lighting without taking up more space. This type of lighting is also known as ‘canned lights’ since it consists of can-shaped fixtures which are then placed into the ceiling. These flush lights are among the best ways to light up the living room, small spaces, and a small kitchen since they can produce enough light in the right places. 

Just keep in mind that this isn’t a popular choice for interior designers since it can be clinical and the use of many recessed lights can make the room feel like a hospital or school instead of a relaxing home. Even so, whether you want more light over your kitchen sink or looking for even lighting throughout your room, this can be a great choice. 

Under Cabinet Lights

Also known as countertop lights, under-cabinet lighting can be a good pick for low-ceiling kitchens since it can provide a combination of ambient light and task light. These low-profile lights can be mounted right under your upper cabinets to provide a focus on your countertops. When you want to turn even the smallest spaces into a functional and bright area, using under-cabinet lights can be a good choice. 

Interior Cabinet Lights

Getting interior cabinet lights is an excellent way to add accent lights around your kitchen, making it feel brighter and more spacious. Adding these kinds of lights to the upper section of your glass door cabinets can also give the illusion of higher ceilings. Moreover, it helps to boost the ambiance and mood of your home, placing it among the best kitchen lighting options for lower ceilings. 

It can also be used to showcase your favorite China or display glasses and will work well inside kitchens with low natural light which is why many homeowners love including this design element in their homes. 

Semi-flush mount fixtures

A semi-flush mount light fixture is a versatile option that will work with both low and high ceilings but this means that they will hang down further down your ceiling compared to flush mounts. However, they won’t hang as low as pendant lights, so they will still be suitable for most lower ceilings. A semi-flush mount will come with a wider selection of designs that will suit more home interiors which makes them a popular choice for low ceilings. 

Chandeliers

A chandelier shouldn’t be limited to the dining room or the kitchen table; they can be used in a wide range of applications and can be a great way to create a focal point or design statement in your kitchen. Even if your home doesn’t have high ceilings, chandeliers can create ambient lights that can provide your home with plenty of illumination. It can be the perfect choice for baking and cooking and will help to make your kitchen look more inviting and spacious. 

Because chandeliers come in so many beautiful designs, shapes, and sizes, you’re sure to find the perfect light for your home. While some people will prefer to place their chandelier at the center of their kitchen island others will purchase a pair of chandeliers for a gorgeous finish. Of course, this will depend on the size of your kitchen, the amount of clearance from the floor to the ceiling, and how big your chandelier is. 

Wall Sconces

A challenge that some homeowners face when working with low ceilings is looking for an effective way of adding accent or ambient lighting. Luckily, wall sconces take up minimal space while providing plenty of light — not only can they brighten up your kitchen, but they’re also beautiful decorative pieces. Furthermore, wall sconces bring style and sophistication to your home and they’re also a great option for the sink area when you want to give it focused lighting. 

Flush Ceiling Lights

Flush-mounted ceiling lights can be a great way to add light to a kitchen with low ceilings, especially if you don’t want to compromise the aesthetics of your home. These low-profile lighting fixtures will let you seamlessly add more brightness without eating up all the space around your ceiling. Apart from being functional, they’re also decorative and will serve as a design element that’s perfect for your kitchen. 

Track Lighting

This is probably one of the best kitchen lighting options for low ceilings since it offers an updated and modern alternative to traditional and sometimes boring overhead lighting. Unlike the outdated versions of track lighting that were once popularly used in the ’80s and ’90s, the lighting systems used today are more streamlined and sleek, featuring low-profile lights and clean lines. These also allow for a more creative lighting setup — whether you want to brighten up dark corners or want a bigger-looking space, track lights are a great light source for kitchens with low ceilings. 

Table Lamps

If by chance your kitchen ceiling is too low and a standard ceiling light won’t fit, using a table lamp can be a wonderful alternative. All you need to do is place small lamps around your countertop or have them placed around the dark corners of your room to brighten up the area. Lamps with a dimming feature can be a good way to create an inviting and cozy space in your kitchen; smaller lamps like this can be easily placed on your counter for late-night snacks!  

Floor Lamp

While it might sound a bit crazy to use a floor lamp around the kitchen and it may not be what comes to mind when thinking about kitchen lighting, it can be a creative way to introduce a light source. Luckily, you won’t need to hire an expensive electrician to install this fixture, so you’ll save money and add unexpected style while creating a unique ambient light for your kitchen. Furthermore, it can be a great option when you have the perfect spot somewhere close to your kitchen counter or dining table, and can even be a good fit for a vacant nook. 

Finding the Best Kitchen Lighting for a Low Ceiling 

For many homeowners, finding the right kitchen lighting for low ceilings can be a process of trial and error as well as research, so you may not find the best option for your home right away. This is especially true since your local Home Depot will offer a wide range of designs and fixtures. However, it’s also important to consider the interior style of your home and what will match it along with your budget and how much space your ceiling has. 

Picking out the best lighting for your home will involve considering both your personal preferences and practical needs. From the flush lights above to a statement chandelier, the best lights for your home will make sure that it’s well-lit, enhance the ambiance of your space, and help to create an inviting atmosphere even if you’re working with low ceiling height. But before you make a purchase, it’s important to remember that the right lighting won’t just illuminate your kitchen but will also contribute to a better appearance and overall aesthetics. 

Conclusion

Now that you know about the many different options you can consider for your new kitchen lights, it’s important to consider whether your choice is appropriate for the space around your home and kitchen. But if you’re still unsure, pendant lights can be an excellent choice all around, but you can also opt for flush or semi-flush options.

Sources 

• carlabast.com
• clairedouglasstyling.co.uk
• houzz.com