A Complete Guide to a Modern Kitchen Lighting Design in India

Whether you’re redesigning your kitchen or looking for a little spruce, these 21 modern kitchen lighting ideas will help inspire you on your journey. 

1. Bring grandeur with a chandelier 

Who said chandeliers are only for living room light ideas? Bring some grandeur into your kitchen too by adding a stunning centrepiece for the ultimate kitchen ceiling lighting idea! And the chandelier you choose doesn’t just need to be an expensive crystal one, you can in fact find several minimal, modern chandeliers that fit perfectly in a kitchen space, even if it's a small one. 

2. Set the mood with dimmers 

A modern contemporary kitchen design nowadays is preferred as  kitchen space is not just used for cooking but for entertaining too. As we all shift towards an open kitchen concept, you can expect your kitchen to also serve as a dining space and in that case, harsh task lighting might not be your best choice. To help with this duality, a great kitchen ceiling lighting idea that we recommend is fitting your ceiling lights with dimmers so you can set the mood while entertaining and still have the flexibility when you want to focus on cooking and prepping. 

3. Illuminate your cabinets 

Cabinet lighting is not something that can be ignored in any modern kitchen lighting design as this simple kitchen cabinet lighting idea highly improves the functionality of the space and the environment. It allows you to reach products that are at the back of cupboards, expands the usable space and ensures nothing gets hidden in the shadows. Cabinet lighting can be easily installed, is affordable and can be added on even if you aren’t looking for a big kitchen lighting transformation.

4. Match your lighting to your furniture 

A great tip for any contemporary kitchen design is to match your lighting fixtures, size and style with the furniture and tiles surrounding it. If your kitchen has a marble island kitchen layout with gold fittings, then you can consider gold light fittings so that there is harmony in your kitchen design. 

5. Add a matching set of pendant lights 

Pendant lights are great for any modern kitchen design ideas because they add a beautiful, decorative element while also providing you with useful task lighting. One of the best modern kitchen ceiling lighting ideas is to add a set of matching pendant lights right above the island for a balanced, beautiful yet functional design. 

6. Go traditional with lanterns 

If your home follows a specific theme like rustic or traditional Indian, you must consider traditional hanging lamps in your kitchen. These types of lighting fixtures add a delicate, decorative touch without being too flashy and add a beautiful touch to an otherwise utilitarian area.  

7. Make a statement with colour 

Whoever said colour is only meant for walls needs to take a look at some bright lighting fixtures, and we guarantee they’ll change their mind! Colourful fixtures are a wonderful addition to a modern contemporary kitchen that is meant to entertain as they make an impact while brightening up your room in more than just one way. 

8. Go industrial with exposed lighting 

Industrial interiors are a trend that’s on the rise and if you want your home to resemble this style, then we recommend opting for lighting fixtures that follow this theme as well. Industrial style interior design is a unique style that utilises exposed materials in the house, combined with neutral colours to create a minimalist, bare and rustic look. With the help of lighting fixtures like exposed bulbs and track lights, you can commit to the industrial style with your lighting as well. 

9. Don’t miss out on under-cabinet lighting 

Just like the previously mentioned kitchen cabinet lighting idea, under cabinet lights help enhance your space and increase functionality. A simple kitchen strip lighting idea can do wonders for your kitchen while adding a delicate accent lighting touch for a warm glow. Under-cabinet lights are also great to leave on through the night to improve the safety of the space when you want to grab a glass of water but don’t want to turn all the lights on. 

10. Enhance the space with flush-mounted ceiling lights 

Flush mounted ceiling lights, particularly decorative ones, are great additions to modern small kitchen ideas because they provide ambient light while also providing a decorative touch to your room. Often shaped like a dome, a single flush-mounted ceiling light is all you will need for ambient lighting and they make great choices for those on a budget for their kitchen lighting design. 

11. Go simple with spotlights 

Alt Text: For a minimalist kitchen lighting design in India, opt for simple recessed spotlights 

If a minimalist kitchen lighting design guideline is what you want to follow, then spotlights or recessed ceiling lights are the way to go to cast a beautiful ambient light throughout the room. These types of lighting fixtures take up minimal space and are excellent if you are looking for kitchen light ideas for small kitchens. 

12. Be flexible with track lights 

Track lights are some of the best modern kitchen lighting ideas because they provide flexibility and provide task lighting wherever you need it. They are also great for commercial purposes and are the perfect choice if you are looking for restaurant lighting ideas as they are highly utilitarian and will last you a long time. Track lights are also great kitchen light ideas for small kitchens because they can be moved around, making every space usable. You can learn more about how perfect lighting can impact your restaurant's appeal in this article.

Check out Jaquar’s magnetic track lights and why you should buy them in the video below! 

https://youtu.be/LyqyBzwIpnI 

13. Decorate with wall sconces 

Some people may consider wall sconces old-fashioned but as lighting experts, we believe they are making a comeback as we are starting to see them in more modern kitchen design ideas nowadays. Wall sconces are some of the best ways to add a decorative touch without taking up too much space and because of this, they are excellent for modern small kitchen ideas. Wall sconces are also great at tying your interior design together with your lighting as you can find an abundance of styles to match any kitchen style. You can learn more about decorative elements with these 5 Tips to master modern kitchen lighting.

14. Focus on the island 

Most modern contemporary kitchens nowadays come with an island and these features completely transform the look and function of your kitchen. An island kitchen layout forms the focal point of your space and because of this, it requires ample lighting. While developing your kitchen lighting design guidelines, ensure to illuminate your island well as this unique feature often also serves as a dining area or a space to entertain. Some great ways to light this space up is to install a light under the island stone itself for a soft glow. You can also add your centrepiece chandelier or pendant lights right above the island to illuminate it further. 

15. Mix colour temperatures for balance

Colour temperature has an important role to play when it comes to setting the mood of a space, improving productivity, visibility and safety. You must often hear that warm lighting is preferred for bedrooms and living rooms while cool lights are best for office lighting design, but what about the kitchen? The kitchen is one of the few places in a home that has plenty of focussed tasks performed but also serves as a space to entertain, dine and host. Because of this, modern kitchen design ideas combine warm and cool lights to create a beautiful balance that keeps your kitchen safe, functional and at the same time- warm and homely.

Now that you have some inspiration for your next kitchen renovation, it's time to part ways but before we do, we want to share some final tips of wisdom. All interior lighting plans for homes are based on blending three types of lighting- ambient, task and accent. These lighting styles serve different purposes and combined together, form a well-lit, aesthetically pleasing kitchen space. 

16. Ambient Lighting 

The most important place to light up in a kitchen is the ceiling. A well-thought-out kitchen ceiling lighting idea can provide ambient lighting for the entire space without looking too harsh and cold. Popular ceiling lighting ideas include recessed downlights, flush-mounted ceiling lights, chandeliers and track lights. 

20. Cabinets 

The next key lighting area in any contemporary kitchen design is the cabinets. Within the cabinets itself, you can light up the inside of them, under the cabinet and over the cabinet. Lighting inside the cabinet allows you a better vision of the space and ensures nothing remains hidden. Under-cabinet lighting is a great way to add a hint of accent lighting while illuminating your countertops. A common problem that occurs in many households is the cabinet casting a shadow on your countertops, making it difficult to perform tasks like chopping and cooking. The perfect solution for this problem is investing in kitchen strip lighting ideas that illuminate the countertops, making them a safe space to perform all tasks. Over cabinet lighting is lights installed right above the cabinet space and this is a great way to add drama to your kitchen and open up a smaller kitchen space. While over-cabinet lights don’t serve any actual utilitarian purpose, they are an affordable solution to enhance the size of your kitchen and make the space brighter. 

21. Island 

This is the last place that requires attention while deciding your kitchen lighting design guidelines. Usually placed at the centre of your kitchen space, this area demands proper lighting that’s functional as well as decorative. If you don’t have an island kitchen layout, this same rule applies to an L-shaped breakfast counter as well. Few ways to illuminate your island include hanging a chandelier or pendant lights adobe for decoration and grandeur. You can also illuminate the island itself by installing lights inside the counter itself for a glow from within. Another tip to improve the appearance of your island is to install strip lighting at the base of the slab to add a hint of accent lighting. While this doesn’t serve any functional purpose, it elevates the look of the space. 

Now that you know about the basics of kitchen lighting design, let's deep dive into some kitchen lighting ideas in India that you can execute into your own space. Our ideas range from small touches to complete revamps that you can incorporate based on your budget, style and time. 

Now the time has come for you to decide the best lighting for your kitchen. But the entire process can be overwhelming, so we are here to break it down into 5 steps to help you select the best lights for your kitchen. 

Step 1: Kitchen Layout 

Begin with identifying the areas you want to illuminate in your kitchen. As discussed in the beginning of the article, there are three main areas to light but this changes from kitchen to kitchen. If you have a large pantry space, you may want to light it up as well or if you have a small kitchen, you may not need much lighting at all. Hence we recommend identifying all the areas you want ample lighting. 

Step 2: Natural Light 

The second step to choosing your kitchen lighting design involves identifying how much natural light you get. Even if you have a lot of natural lighting, you will need ample light in your kitchen but by identifying how much natural light you get, you can maximise it to open up your kitchen space. 

Step 3: Budget 

The second step to choosing your kitchen lighting design includes setting an approximate budget. A higher budget allows you to splurge on statement pieces like chandeliers, pendant lights and strip lights for accent lighting. By setting a budget for yourself, you can ensure your dream kitchen lighting design is within your reach. 

Step 4: Style 

Lighting fixtures are one of the last aspects of any home’s interior design. This means that before you come to choosing your kitchen lights, you most likely would have already established your interior style- be it minimal, classic, traditional, rustic or contemporary. Identifying your style is a crucial step before choosing your lighting plan as it allows you to choose the best types of lighting for your kitchen while ensuring cohesion. 

Step 5: Quality 

The final step before starting your kitchen lighting design journey is to identify a lighting brand that provides you with the best quality lighting at a price that’s comfortable for you. Quality is a crucial element of any kitchen lighting design as you devise your lighting plan with longevity in mind. Hence, you need to find a brand that guarantees durability, quality and energy efficiency at a reasonable price. 

Jaquar lighting is a great solution for your next kitchen renovation as they provide quality, variety and durability. Check out Jaquar’s vast collection of decorative lighting that is perfect for your next kitchen spruce.