Kitchen spotlights light the worktop where the ceiling light casts shadows. Place them above its front edge, then choose the type, brightness and colour.
Where should spotlights go to avoid shadows?
A central ceiling light lights the cook's back, so your own silhouette hides the chopping board. Position spotlights above the front edge of the worktop instead, about 50 cm from the wall, in front of the wall cabinets rather than between them.
Along the run of units, keep 1 to 1.5 m between spotlights. Above an island, a centred row works, as does a pendant hung 75 to 90 cm above the surface; see our kitchen pendant lights.
Brightness, colour temperature and colour rendering
- 200 to 300 lumens/m² for the room as a whole, and 300 to 500 lux on the worktop.
- 4,000 K above the worktop, a neutral white for chopping and measuring; 3,000 K, a warm white, if the spotlights also light the dining area.
- CRI of at least 80, to judge how meat is cooked or how fresh vegetables are.
- Dimmable light: useful to go from food preparation to dinner, provided the spotlight, bulb and dimmer are compatible.
Which type of spotlight for which kitchen?
In a false ceiling, a recessed spotlight sits flush and wipes clean in seconds, an advantage in a room where cooking grease settles. On a concrete ceiling, a bar of three or four spotlights, powered from a single ceiling outlet, covers a whole run of units.
Near the sink or hob, an IP44 design copes better with steam and splashes. White or black finishes dominate; chrome and gold-tone brass match the taps. Browse all our spotlights and the other lights in our kitchen lighting section.
Frequently asked questions about kitchen spotlights
How far from the wall should a kitchen spotlight be?
About 50 cm from the wall, which puts the spotlight above the front edge of the worktop. The light then falls in front of you rather than on the back of your neck. Too close to the wall, it mostly lights the splashback and leaves the worktop in the shadow of the wall cabinets.
How many spotlights to light a 10 m² kitchen?
Aim for 2,000 to 3,000 lumens in total, or 200 to 300 lumens/m². Add up the output shown on each spotlight's product page to reach this figure, taking the room's other lights into account. A well-lit worktop matters more than the exact number of spotlights.
Do spotlights above the sink need to be waterproof?
No rating is required in a kitchen, but cooking steam and splashes eventually damage an ordinary spotlight. Above the sink or near the hob, an IP44 design gives a safety margin. Our guide to lighting your kitchen has more advice.
