Totally agree about placement, but I'd also suggest considering dimmers. I redid my own kitchen lighting last year—pendants over the island, recessed LEDs elsewhere—and adding dimmers made a huge difference for flexibility and mood. Worth thinking about...
Dimmers are definitely handy, but honestly, I found under-cabinet lighting to be the real game changer. Installed some LED strips last summer—makes prepping food way easier, especially when you're chopping veggies or reading recipes...worth every penny.
Under-cabinet lighting is nice, but honestly, I think natural lighting is the real MVP. When we remodeled, we added a skylight and enlarged the window above the sink...total game changer. It brightens up the whole space without flipping a switch, and bonus points for saving energy during the day. LEDs are great, but nothing beats prepping lunch with sunlight streaming in—just feels better somehow.
Natural lighting definitely has its perks—especially the energy savings and overall mood boost. But realistically, not every kitchen layout or location allows for that much sunlight. I've found that combining natural light with adjustable LED fixtures gives the best of both worlds. You can tweak brightness and warmth depending on the time of day or task. Plus, LEDs have come a long way—no more harsh, sterile vibes...thank goodness.
"I've found that combining natural light with adjustable LED fixtures gives the best of both worlds."
That's exactly what we did when renovating our historic home. The kitchen windows are charming but small, so natural light alone wasn't enough. We installed dimmable LEDs under the cabinets and overhead fixtures with adjustable warmth settings. Honestly, it's been a game changer—especially during gloomy winter afternoons. I'd recommend anyone dealing with limited sunlight to consider a similar setup; it balances practicality with preserving the home's original character.
