When it comes to smaller kitchen spaces, creating a cohesive lighting system that doesn’t overwhelm the room can be a complex endeavor. In comes recessed lighting for small kitchens: a brilliant solution for your tiny space.

What Is Recessed Lighting (a.k.a. Can or Pot Lights)?

What is recessed lighting anyway? Sometimes referred to as pot lights or can lights, recessed lighting fixtures are lights that are installed into a cut-out in the ceiling, allowing the light to shine down on your subject. This makes recessed downlights a great option for smaller rooms since they don’t take up wall space.

Why Recessed Lighting Works Well in Small Kitchens

If you’ve ever squeezed around the kitchen island at a party vying for the last bit of cheese on the charcuterie board, you’ve probably bumped your head against the overhead light fixture. Even the most modest pendant lights can be awkward in a small space, making planning the lighting system a cumbersome task.

Minimalistic white trim recessed lighting

Architectural Features of Can Lights

The flushed, unobtrusive style of can light fixtures makes them a great choice for small kitchens, allowing short ceilings to appear taller and adding brightness where you need it most.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic or a renter requiring a simple lighting solution, recessed lights bring maximum light to work surfaces while avoiding bulky fixtures.

How to Plan Recessed Lighting in a Small Kitchen

The adage “measure twice, cut once” isn’t just for sewing. When planning out the number of lights you’ll need, there are a few factors in play, including the size of the pot lights, the amount of illumination required to brighten countertops and kitchen islands, and the level of ambient light in the space.

Placement and Zoning of Recessed Lighting

When drawing out your lighting design, ensure each downlight is spaced far enough apart to avoid overcrowding and shadows caused by overlapping beams.

A common guideline that many lighting designers use is to measure the height of your ceiling and divide that number in half, effectively giving you the distance between downlights. For instance, if your wall height is 8 feet, you’ll want to distance your recessed lights at least 4 feet apart.

Recessed lighting layout design for small kitchen with task and ambient lights

Another issue you’ll want to avoid is installing recessed lighting too close to walls and doors. It’s best to place these lights at least 2 feet from any vertical flat surface to reduce light bounce while ensuring there’s no light loss at the edge of a room.

Task Lighting vs. Ambient Lighting

When choosing the right type of general lighting, consider what you want to accomplish with your general lighting and accent lighting setup. Bright, proper task lighting, such as track lighting, is the perfect choice for most prep work that's done on kitchen countertops.

Ambient lighting also plays a huge part in planning out your kitchen can lighting ideas. Pendant lights, wall sconces, and even windows with natural light can affect the lighting in your small kitchen and cause unwanted shadows or bright spots. To avoid overcrowding, make sure to map out these light sources and adjust light placement as needed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Planning Recessed Lighting in Small Spaces

Designing and planning kitchen recessed lighting ideas can be overwhelming, so here are some common mistakes to avoid in a kitchen remodel.

First, remember that less is more when it comes to how many pot lights in a kitchen is too many. Overloading a small room with too many recessed lights can make it feel more cramped than open.

Similarly, using larger lights can draw attention away and also make the area appear too confined, so ensure you select the appropriate size to suit your countertops and work surfaces. Another common mistake is forgetting to utilize a compatible dimmer switch with your recessed lights, which limits flexibility in small kitchens.

Modern moody small kitchen with recessed lighting

Best Recessed Lighting Ideas for Kitchens

Now that you have your kitchen lighting system planned out, you may be wondering, What are the best recessed lights for small kitchens? Thankfully, there’s a recessed light for every aesthetic. From trimless downlights, selectable color options, and adjustable gimbals, you can find the perfect recessed light to complement your space.

Color Selectable Recessed Light Fixtures

If versatility is your goal, selectable color temperature recessed lights are an excellent option. These recessed lights allow you to select from a range of color options using a dip switch located somewhere on the fixture.

Whether you desire the warmth of a 2700K glow for a candle-lit dinner or the crisp brightness of 4000K for detailed prep work in the kitchen, color-selectable recessed light fixtures offer unmatched adaptability over static fixtures.

White trim gimbal recessed fixture ideal for modern kitchens

However, some selectable color temperature fixtures require you to choose the Kelvin before installing and may not be the best option if you want to switch up the color from day to day.

Gimbal Recessed Light Fixtures

For truly tight spaces, another fixture to consider is a gimbal downlight. These types of task lighting fixtures feature a pivoting head that lets you direct enough light where you need it most. While gimbal lights are great for highlighting the focal point in small kitchens, they can be harder to install than traditional flat recessed fixtures.

Under Cabinet Light Fixtures

Another good idea to round out your task lighting in a small kitchen is to add under-cabinet lights. Adding puck lights or strip lighting underneath cabinets can help fill in dark spots left by overhead lighting and produce a harmonizing lighting system when paired with recessed lights, pendant light fixtures, and wall sconces.

Modern kitchen with under cabinet lighting

When Recessed Lighting Might Not Be Enough

Sometimes, recessed lighting alone may not highlight all the areas you need in your kitchen. If this happens, here are a few ways to add some functional lighting:

Add a hanging fixture in the center of the room to design a more visually interesting landscape that ensures the area is adequately lit
Pair recessed lights with other decorative wall fixtures such as sconces to create a layered effect
Avoid the “cave effect” by utilizing under-cabinet or LED strip lights along the underside of your cabinets to fill in dark spots
Use a combination of Kelvin temperatures, from warm to cool tones, to establish a welcoming atmosphere

Ultimately, the lighting system you create in your small kitchen is a reflection of you, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of accent lighting and find other ways to spice up kitchen lighting.

Shop Recessed Lighting Fixtures for Kitchens

Whether your goal is adding practical, focused light to kitchen counters or creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere for intimate gatherings, 1000Bulbs.com features a variety of recessed lighting options.

From dimmable and CCT selectable recessed lights to IC-rated and remodel-friendly choices, finding the perfect recessed lighting for small kitchens is easier than ever with the help of one of our lighting experts.

Call 1-877-760-1560 or click “Chat with Us” below to start designing your ideal recessed lighting system for kitchens and more.

FAQs

How many recessed lights do I need in a 10x10 kitchen?

In a 10x10 kitchen, the recommended spacing is around 4-to-6 recessed lights while still considering other factors for placement, such as the size and shape of the lights, ceiling height, and how much additional ambient lighting the area features.

Are recessed lights bright enough for cooking areas?

Yes, recessed lights are bright enough to illuminate countertops and cooking areas if you select one with a Kelvin temperature around 3000K or 4000K, as anything higher may be too harsh and bright for a small space.

What’s the best trim style for modern kitchens?

The best trim style for a modern kitchen is one that is sleek and minimalistic while avoiding ornate designs to maintain a clean, streamlined look.

Can I install recessed lights in a drop ceiling or remodel application?

Recessed lights can be installed in drop ceilings using mounting frames or pans for installation support. For remodels, canless recessed lights offer more flexibility and do not require additional housings.