The 5 biggest mistakes in kitchen lighting - and how to avoid them, according to experts

To find out what makes good kitchen lighting, we spoke to Tina Wendl, Managing Director at Dross & Schaffer at the Ludwig 6 location in Munich, and Felix König, planner at the same kitchen house, and asked them about the most common planning mistakes – and of course asked them how to avoid them.

Although the kitchen must be sufficiently lit in any case, "too much" is not the solution either. Quite the opposite. "We notice that in kitchens – especially in new buildings – there is often far too much light," adds König. In particular, indirect or accentuating light sources, which are actually intended to be used to stage the kitchen, no longer come into their own. The result is a functionally bright, but creatively overexposed space," explains König. Consequently, it is much more important to find a balance between basic lighting, functional lighting and accent lighting.

Eine gute Grundbeleuchtung ist Voraussetzung in jeder Küche, doch darf diese auch nicht überbeleuchtet sein.

Dross&Schaffer

If the different light levels are generally used in every kitchen, the exact lighting concept depends on the architectural conditions such as the size of the room, the type of kitchen or the arrangement of the cabinets and appliances. "In closed kitchens, for example, lighting is traditionally planned in a more functional way – clear, direct and technical. However, as soon as the kitchen is part of an open-plan living concept, it must fit harmoniously into the overall picture," explains Wendel. "In these cases, you work more consciously with a few, well-placed light points: the basic lighting is integrated into the living room, while the kitchen itself is illuminated in a more restrained and targeted way, for example only in the relevant work areas or with a high-quality pendant light above the island or counter."

Gezielt gesetzte Spots heben die Maserung der Eschen-Fronten in dieser Küche von Holzrausch besonders hervor.

Oliver Jaist

Accent lighting also plays an important role, especially in open-plan kitchens. "Try to install accent lighting where beautiful planning details are to be emphasized or high-quality materials are used," says Wendl. "Wooden fronts, for example, benefit from deliberately placed spotlights that emphasise the grain. In the case of a natural stone niche splashback, a high-quality, uniform light underneath the wall cabinets is the right choice to make the structure and depth of the material visible. But don't forget: It's about supporting the design, not dominating."

The majority of kitchens are made up of different areas of application, which in turn come with different types of cabinets. Every kitchen shape and every area of application requires an independent form of lighting. "A U-shaped kitchen, for example, usually offers a lot of wall space and thus the possibility of integrating light above the wall cabinets or the wall shelves," explains Wendl. To illuminate the work surface below wall cabinets, König recommends continuous LED strips at a distance of around seven centimetres from the wall. "In cupboards, on the other hand, in which crockery or glasses are presented, discreet interior lighting is also a good idea, which activates automatically when opened, for example." And the basic lighting? "Ideally, in most kitchens, this is done via well-positioned ceiling spotlights that are arranged in such a way that they can both create uniform brightness and set targeted accents without creating distracting shadows while working," says König.

Um die Arbeitsfläche unter Hängeschränken ideal auszuleuchten, empfiehlt König einen Abstand von rund sieben Zentimeter zur Rückwand.

Dross&Schaffer Kitchens © Benjamin Antony Monn

Now, however, the trend of kitchen shapes is currently moving away from the classic U or L shape towards a combination of tall cabinet row and kitchen island. "In this case, the island almost automatically becomes the central work and design area and requires particularly careful lighting that fulfils both functional and design aspects," Wendl adds. König recommends a pendant lamp for this: "It can be the focal point of the design, but it must not compete with the lighting of the dining table and should not interfere with work."

In ihrer Wohnküche in Polen entschieden sich Ewa und Thomas Soboczynski für drei kugelige Pendelleuchten über der Kücheninsel.

Mood Authors

Most people are familiar with the uncomfortable atmosphere of a room that is too brightly lit – a mood that should be avoided in eat-in kitchens at all costs and is determined by the colour temperature of the lamps. "The colour temperatures in kitchens have become much warmer in recent years, as kitchens are now more of a part of the living space," explains König. "A range between 2700 and 3000 Kelvin has proven to be effective, as these values create a pleasant, homely atmosphere and are functional enough at the same time. Many modern systems are now color-variable or suitable for smart homes, so that the light color can be adjusted if necessary, for example for concentrated work or a cooler lighting mood in the morning."