A Guide to Kitchen Lighting Specification

Lighting positions depend on where cabinets, islands and walkways land. Once the ceiling is closed and the cabinetry is made, changing a light position becomes a building job rather than an electrical one.

Under-cabinet lighting on the working runs is the single most valuable lighting in a kitchen, because a ceiling downlight behind you puts your own shadow on the chopping board. Specify it on every run where food is prepared.

Ceiling lighting sets the general level, and pendants over an island or accent lighting in open shelving give the room its evening character. These should be on separate circuits so the kitchen can drop from working bright to living warm.

Around 3000K suits most Thai kitchens: warm enough to live in, neutral enough to judge food. Specify a colour rendering index above 90, because low-CRI light makes food and timber finishes look wrong in a way most people feel without identifying.