Not that long ago it was not uncommon to find many a domestic kitchen looking more like a factory canteen than the welcoming hub of the home. They were seen as principally functional places - to store and prepare food and wash up - and were lit accordingly.

The fluorescent tube spread like a virus, filling kitchen spaces with cold, flat light. To be sure it was definitely bright and you would have little trouble seeing what you were doing. But it was drab and soulless and highly likely to induce a headache after any length of time.

Nowadays however folk typically opt to get together in the kitchen, more so than the lounge which seems over formal by today’s standards. Contemporary kitchen layouts are also much more friendly environments with seating and areas to mingle. Sadly though the lighting hasn’t always kept pace.

The arrangement of a kitchen, with counters and wall cupboards, is such that overhead lighting not only looks uninspiring but is of limited practical use. Any place you stand you will find yourself casting shadows in front of you - right where your hands are.

Ceiling lighting is most definitely an important component as it is an easy way to provide background ambient light (though recessed spotlights are way better than fluorescent tubes). But in order to bring a kitchen to life you really need to install a range of different lighting fittings.

If there is enough space then using pendant lighting is a good first step. These work especially well when slung quite low above island units and tables. Wall cupboards also provide an excellent way to introduce additional lighting.

The position and size of wall units can suggest what types of lighting to add to them. If there is space above, lighting around the coving can be interesting, and it’s usually always possible to suspend strip lights underneath to throw light onto counter tops. For glass or open units you can even install lighting inside them.

But, no matter how you want to add light to a wall unit, the optimum way these days is by fitting LED strip lights, which also won’t damage anything since they emit almost no heat. They’re also very cheap to run so you can leave them on for long periods or use them for accent lighting - they make great plinth lights.

The thing you will immediately notice with LED light is how well it works with the various reflective surfaces that abound in most modern kitchens. It’s just such an easy way to add a dose of contemporary styling.

If you’re interested in finding out more then you should enjoy these two articles about kitchen light ideas and LED strip light applications in particular.

It’s quite common in most modern kitchens to see an “island” - basically a standalone workspace, usually occupying the centre of the kitchen. There are a number of compelling arguments in favour of having a kitchen island, but also a number of other points to consider as well.

One of the most obvious advantages of a kitchen island is extra working and storage space. Having kitchen units set against walls limits the amount of available space, especially when you also have to take windows and doors into consideration.

It is also self-evident that helping to connect otherwise disconnected zones and making the kitchen simply seem more interesting is another benefit worth having. If all your work surfaces and kitchen units are spread out against the walls it can make a kitchen appear, well, hollow.

Some people use their kitchen island as an additional work area and install sinks, hobs and ovens etc, while others prefer to style it as a formal dining area or simply a place to gather round. But whatever you choose, an island provides a perfect excuse to introduce some stunning lighting effects.

Among the most common yet effective lighting options is the use of elegant suspended pendant light fittings. These are often eye-catching features all by themselves as well serving a utilitarian purpose, namely providing suitable task lighting when using the island.

And of course today no modern kitchen is complete without some element of LED lighting. A kitchen islands is intrinsically a centre-piece feature that demands and can absorb a lot of attention, and there are few more stunning contemporary effects than plinth or floor-level lighting using LED spots or light strips.

But although it is hard to think of a single measure to lift the appearance and usefulness of a kitchen that rivals installing a kitchen island, it’s not always the right choice. Especially if your kitchen is modestly proportioned then you need to reconsider a few options.

There can still be benefitsto incorporating an island in a less spacious kitchen, but the key is to ensure that you don’t then make it awkward to work and move around, or end up with an island that is frankly at odds with its surroundings. An island is supposed to add a certain style to your kitchen, not squat ungainly in the middle of the room like the proverbial 500 pound gorilla.

If you found this article interesting then you’ll also enjoy these additional articles related to kitchen island light fixtures and kitchen light fixtures.