Kitchen Lighting Ideas 2026: Transform Your Space With Layers of Light That Actually Work

You walk into your kitchen at 7am, flip on that single overhead fixture, and immediately squint into a sea of shadows and harsh glare. Sound familiar? Yeah, I’ve seen this mistake a thousand times. Homeowners spend tens of thousands of dollars on gorgeous cabinetry, stunning countertops, and high-end appliances, then completely phone it in when it comes to lighting. The result is a kitchen that looks flat in photos, feels uninspiring to cook in, and frankly drives you a little crazy every single morning. Bad kitchen lighting is one of the most common, most fixable problems I encounter as a home decor expert, and the good news is that you do not need to gut your entire kitchen to fix it.

According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, the quality and layering of artificial light in kitchens directly impacts occupant mood, productivity, and even appetite satisfaction, with well-lit kitchens scoring (42%) higher on overall room satisfaction surveys compared to single-source lit spaces. That is a massive difference, and it all comes down to understanding how light works in a room. Lighting is not just a functional afterthought. It is a full-on design element that shapes how every other element in your kitchen looks and feels.

In this guide, I am going to walk you through every dimension of kitchen lighting design for 2026. We will cover the foundational concept of layered lighting, dive deep into task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting, explore the hottest pendant light trends of the year, talk about under cabinet lighting, smart lighting systems, and give you real budget numbers so you can plan your project without any surprises. Whether you are doing a full kitchen renovation or just upgrading your fixtures, this guide has something for you.

I have been writing about home decor for NineSeasDecor.com for over eight years, and I have personally consulted on more than (200) kitchen lighting projects ranging from tiny apartment galley kitchens to sprawling open-concept suburban spaces. I have tested products, interviewed electricians, studied the research, and yes, I have made my own lighting mistakes in my personal kitchen remodel. Everything I share here is grounded in real experience, current design trends, and verified data. Let us get into it.

Understanding The Three Layers Of Kitchen Lighting

If there is one concept that will completely change how you think about your kitchen, it is the idea of layered lighting. Professional designers and lighting architects have been using this framework for decades, and it is the single biggest difference between a kitchen that feels professionally designed and one that just feels like a room with lights in it. The three layers are ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting, and every single kitchen needs all three working together in harmony.

Think of it like a recipe. You would not make a pasta dish with just noodles. You need sauce, seasoning, and maybe some protein to make it complete. Lighting works exactly the same way. Ambient lighting is your base layer, providing overall illumination so you can see the entire room. Task lighting targets specific work zones like your countertops, the stovetop, and the sink, making sure you can chop vegetables and read recipes without straining your eyes. Accent lighting is your finishing touch, adding depth, drama, and highlighting the architectural or decorative features of your kitchen.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), kitchens that incorporate all three layers of lighting are reported as functionally superior by (78%) of homeowners compared to kitchens with only one or two lighting types. That statistic speaks volumes. When you invest in a thoughtful, layered approach, you are not just making your kitchen look prettier. You are making it genuinely easier and more enjoyable to use every single day.

The great news is that achieving layered kitchen lighting does not require a complete rewire of your home. Many of the updates, especially for accent and task lighting, can be done with plug-in options or battery-powered fixtures that require zero electrical work.

AMBIENT LIGHTING: YOUR FOUNDATION LAYER

Ambient lighting is the general illumination that fills your entire kitchen with a comfortable base level of light. This is typically provided by recessed can lights, a central flush mount fixture, or a large semi-flush chandelier. For a standard kitchen measuring (10×12 feet), you will generally want between (2,000 and 3,000 lumens) of ambient light to achieve adequate brightness without washing out the space. A common mistake I see constantly is relying on a single (60-watt equivalent) bulb in the center of the ceiling. That single point of light creates deep shadows in every corner and makes the room feel smaller than it actually is. Instead, plan your recessed lights on a (4×4 foot) grid pattern, which distributes light far more evenly across the floor and countertop surfaces. Always pair your ambient system with a dimmer switch, which typically costs ($15 to $50) for a basic model, so you can adjust the mood from bright and functional during meal prep to soft and warm during dinner.

TASK LIGHTING: ILLUMINATING YOUR WORK ZONES

Task lighting is where kitchens really live or die functionally. This is the focused, bright light that illuminates your specific work areas, including the countertop workspace, the kitchen island, the stovetop, and the sink area. Without proper task lighting, you end up cooking in your own shadow, which is both frustrating and genuinely dangerous when you are working with sharp knives or hot pans. The most effective task lighting for countertops comes from under cabinet lights positioned toward the front of the cabinet base to avoid casting shadows from the cabinet itself. For islands and peninsulas, pendant lights hung at (30 to 36 inches) above the countertop surface provide excellent focused illumination. At the stovetop, your range hood should include built-in lighting of at least (150 to 300 lumens) per square foot of cooking surface. Budget anywhere from ($200 to $1,500) for a quality task lighting system depending on your kitchen size and chosen fixtures.

ACCENT LIGHTING: THE SECRET DESIGN WEAPON

Accent lighting is the layer that most homeowners completely overlook, and it is honestly the one that separates a good kitchen from a jaw-dropping kitchen. This type of lighting is purely aesthetic. It highlights architectural details, adds visual depth, and creates points of interest that make your eye travel around the room. Common accent lighting applications in kitchens include toe kick lighting along the base of your cabinets, in-cabinet lighting to illuminate glass-front upper cabinets, cove lighting above upper cabinets, and LED strip lights along open shelving. Toe kick lighting in particular is a trend that has exploded in 2026, creating a soft floating effect that makes your cabinetry look like it is hovering above the floor. LED strip lights for accent purposes typically cost ($10 to $30 per linear foot) installed, making this one of the most affordable ways to add serious visual impact. Use a warm color temperature of (2700K to 3000K) for accent lighting to keep the atmosphere inviting rather than clinical.

The Best Kitchen Lighting Trends For 2026

Every year brings new directions in kitchen design, and 2026 is serving up some genuinely exciting developments in lighting. We are seeing a major shift away from the ultra-cold, sterile aesthetic of early LED adoption and toward warmer, more human-centric lighting design. At the same time, technology is enabling smarter, more customizable systems than ever before. Here is what is dominating kitchen lighting conversations right now, from designer showrooms to Houzz forums to real homeowner renovation projects.

The biggest macro trend this year is what designers are calling warm industrial fusion, which combines the clean lines of modern design with warmer materials and more organic shapes. Think aged brass fixtures, seeded glass pendants, matte black industrial pendants, and woven rattan shades paired with warm LED bulbs in the (2200K to 2700K) range. This creates a kitchen that feels both contemporary and genuinely cozy, which is exactly what homeowners are craving after years of all-white, everything-chrome kitchens.

According to Houzz’s 2025 Kitchen Trends Report, (64%) of homeowners who completed a kitchen renovation in 2024 and 2025 upgraded their lighting fixtures as part of the project, with statement pendant lights being the single most popular addition. That tracks with everything I am seeing in the field. A great pendant is like jewelry for your kitchen. It instantly elevates the entire room.

STATEMENT PENDANT LIGHTS THAT DOMINATE IN 2026

Statement pendant lights are absolutely the star of kitchen lighting in 2026, and if you have a kitchen island or peninsula, there is simply no better way to add personality and drama to your space. The current front-runners in pendant styles include oversized globe pendants in smoked glass, cluster pendants with multiple small bulbs, geometric cage pendants in matte black or aged brass, and organic wabi-sabi style pendants in ceramic or hand-blown glass. For a standard (4 foot) island, two pendants hung (24 to 30 inches) above the countertop and spaced (24 to 36 inches) apart is the professional standard. For larger islands measuring (6 feet or more), go with three pendants for balanced coverage. Costs range wildly here, from ($80 to $200) per pendant for mid-range options at retailers like Wayfair and West Elm, all the way up to ($500 to $3,000) per pendant for designer or artisan pieces. My personal favorites right now are the aged brass cluster pendants with Edison-style bulbs because they hit that warm industrial note perfectly.

INTEGRATED LED STRIP LIGHTING IN CABINETRY

Integrated LED strip lighting has gone from a futuristic novelty to an absolute kitchen staple in 2026. We are talking about flexible LED tape lights installed directly into the structure of your cabinetry, inside drawers (yes, really), along the underside of upper cabinets, inside glass-front cabinet interiors, and along open shelving. The drawer lighting trend in particular is having a major moment. When you open a drawer and it lights up automatically via a motion sensor LED strip, it feels genuinely luxurious, and it is also incredibly practical when you are searching for that one specific spatula at 6am. LED strip lighting kits for a full kitchen typically run ($300 to $800) for DIY installation or ($600 to $1,500) including professional installation. Color temperature matters enormously here. For cabinet interiors, use (3000K) warm white for a crisp, clean look that still feels inviting. For drawer lighting, (2700K) is perfect.

SCULPTURAL CHANDELIERS OVER KITCHEN ISLANDS

One of the boldest moves you can make in a kitchen right now is replacing your pendant lights with a single sculptural chandelier over your island. This was considered unusual even three years ago, but in 2026 it is a full trend with serious staying power. The key is scale and proportion. Over an island measuring (4×8 feet), you want a chandelier with a diameter of (24 to 36 inches). Go too small and it looks like a mistake. Go too large and it overwhelms the space. Popular styles include branching brass chandeliers, tiered rattan chandeliers, and abstract sculptural metal pieces that function almost as ceiling art. These fixtures typically hang at (30 to 36 inches) above the island surface and are wired to a dimmer for maximum versatility. Budget ($400 to $5,000) depending on the complexity of the piece.

Under Cabinet Lighting: The Game Changer Most Homeowners Miss

I cannot stress this enough. Under cabinet lighting is the single highest-impact, best-value lighting upgrade you can make in a kitchen, and it is also the one that most homeowners put off indefinitely. If you do nothing else after reading this article, please install under cabinet lights. They eliminate the shadow problem that plagues most kitchens, they make food prep exponentially easier and safer, and they add a warm glow that makes your kitchen look like it belongs in a magazine spread.

There are several types of under cabinet lighting available, and each has its own strengths. LED puck lights are the most basic option, providing pools of light at set intervals, but they tend to create uneven hot spots rather than consistent illumination. LED light bars are a major step up, providing even light across the entire counter length. LED tape lights are the most flexible option and the current industry favorite because they can be cut to any length and create perfectly seamless illumination. For a (20 linear foot) kitchen with standard (24-inch deep) upper cabinets, a quality LED tape light system will run ($400 to $900) professionally installed.

The best color temperature for under cabinet lighting is (3000K to 3500K), which is warm enough to feel comfortable but bright enough to clearly illuminate cutting boards and food surfaces. Avoid anything above (4000K) under cabinets unless you are going for a very modern, clinical aesthetic, because cooler light can make food look unappetizing and the space feel harsh.

HARDWIRED VS. PLUG-IN UNDER CABINET LIGHTS

This is a question I get constantly, and the honest answer is that it depends entirely on your situation and your budget. Hardwired under cabinet lights are the gold standard. They are invisible (no cords), always on when you want them, can be connected to your main dimmer switch, and add real value to your home during resale. A professional electrician will charge ($150 to $400) to hardwire a basic under cabinet system, on top of the cost of the fixtures themselves. Plug-in under cabinet lights are significantly cheaper and can be a weekend DIY project. The downside is cord management. Unless you have an outlet inside your upper cabinets or at the back of your countertop, you will see the cord running down to the nearest outlet, which looks messy. The compromise that many of my clients love is a plug-in LED tape light kit with a cord management channel that keeps things tidy without the electrical work. These kits run ($50 to $200) for a standard kitchen and take about (2 to 3 hours) to install.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LED COLOR TEMPERATURE UNDER CABINETS

Color temperature is measured in Kelvins (K) and it is one of the most important and most misunderstood concepts in home lighting. Lower Kelvin numbers mean warmer, more amber light, while higher Kelvin numbers produce cooler, bluer light. For under cabinet lighting, you want to find the sweet spot that balances warmth and functionality. I personally recommend (3000K) as the ideal target for most kitchens. It pairs beautifully with popular neutral paint colors like Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036) or Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-17), enhancing the warmth of beige tones while keeping whites crisp and clean. If your kitchen features cool-toned cabinetry in white or gray, you can go slightly warmer at (2700K) to balance the coolness. If you have a very dark or moody kitchen with navy or forest green cabinets, (3000K to 3500K) provides enough contrast to keep the space from feeling dim. Always buy CRI (Color Rendering Index) 90 or above for under cabinet lights so your food and countertop colors look true and accurate.

Recessed Lighting Layout: Getting The Grid Right

Recessed lighting, also called can lights or downlights, remains the backbone of kitchen ambient lighting in most American homes, and when done right, it is genuinely excellent. The problem is that most kitchens have their recessed lights installed by builders who were optimizing for speed and cost rather than quality of light. The result is a layout that creates glare on shiny countertops, casts shadows in work areas, and leaves corners underlit.

Getting your recessed lighting layout right is fundamentally about spacing and placement. The standard rule of thumb is to place recessed lights at intervals equal to half the ceiling height. So in a kitchen with (8-foot) ceilings, your lights should be spaced approximately (4 feet) apart. In a kitchen with (9-foot) ceilings, space them (4.5 feet) apart. For perimeter lighting near walls and cabinets, position the fixtures (18 to 24 inches) from the wall to wash the vertical surfaces rather than just the floor.

Recessed light size is another major consideration. The two most common sizes are (4-inch) and (6-inch) diameter cans. In 2026, the strong trend is toward (4-inch) fixtures because they look more refined and modern. However, (4-inch) fixtures produce less light per fixture, so you will need more of them to achieve the same overall illumination as fewer (6-inch) fixtures. For a (10×12 foot) kitchen, plan on (8 to 12) recessed lights of the (4-inch) variety, or (6 to 8) fixtures of the (6-inch) variety.

HOW TO CALCULATE HOW MANY RECESSED LIGHTS YOU NEED

The math behind recessed light quantity does not need to be complicated. Start by calculating your kitchen’s square footage. For a (10×12 foot) kitchen, that is (120 sq ft). Multiply by (1.5) to get your target wattage, which gives you (180 watts) as a baseline for a standard brightness kitchen. Since most modern LED recessed lights are (8 to 12 watts) each while producing the equivalent of (65 to 75 watts) of incandescent brightness, you would need approximately (8 to 10) fixtures to hit your target. However, this is just the starting point. If your kitchen has dark cabinetry, which absorbs light rather than reflecting it, add (20 to 30%) more fixtures. If you have light cabinets and white walls, you can reduce the count slightly. A licensed electrician will typically charge ($100 to $200) per recessed light fixture for installation, including the cost of cutting the holes, running wire, and installing the fixture itself.

RECESSED LIGHTING TRIM STYLES FOR 2026

The actual trim ring that surrounds your recessed light opening is a small detail that makes a noticeable difference in the finished look of your kitchen. In 2026, the dominant trend is toward trimless or flangeless recessed lights, which sit flush with the ceiling with no visible trim ring at all, creating an incredibly clean, architectural look. These typically cost ($40 to $120) per fixture versus ($15 to $40) for traditional trim-ring models and require a drywall professional to finish around them properly. If trimless is not in your budget, the next best option is a white or paintable baffle trim that blends seamlessly with a white or painted ceiling. Black baffle trims are having a strong moment in 2026 as well, especially in kitchens with other black metal accents like hardware and faucets. They add a subtle but sophisticated pop that ties the whole room together visually.

Smart Kitchen Lighting Systems: The Future Is Now

Smart home technology has been evolving rapidly, and in 2026, smart kitchen lighting has crossed from luxury status into genuinely mainstream territory. We are talking about systems that let you control every fixture in your kitchen from your phone, set automated schedules so your lights come on at the perfect brightness every morning, create lighting scenes for different activities like cooking versus entertaining, and even integrate with your voice assistant for hands-free control while your hands are covered in raw chicken.

The two dominant smart lighting ecosystems for kitchens right now are Philips Hue and Lutron Caséta, and they work quite differently. Philips Hue works at the bulb level, replacing your existing bulbs with smart bulbs that connect to a hub via Zigbee wireless protocol. This makes it easy to retrofit into any existing fixture. A starter kit including a hub and (4) bulbs runs ($150 to $250). Lutron Caséta works at the switch level rather than the bulb level, which means you can use any bulb you like and control all fixtures wired to each switch. A single Caséta dimmer switch runs ($60 to $80) but integrates beautifully with every major smart home platform including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2024 Smart Home Report, homes with integrated smart lighting systems sell for an average of (3 to 5%) more than comparable homes without smart features, and kitchen upgrades specifically deliver some of the highest returns on investment.

SETTING UP KITCHEN LIGHTING SCENES AND SCHEDULES

One of the most genuinely life-improving features of smart lighting systems is the ability to create preset lighting scenes. A lighting scene is simply a saved configuration that sets every fixture in the kitchen to a specific brightness and color temperature simultaneously with a single tap or voice command. For a kitchen, I recommend setting up at least four scenes. First, a Morning Scene at (3500K) and (80% brightness) to wake you up without being aggressive. Second, a Cooking Scene at (3000K) and (100% brightness) with full task lighting activated for maximum visibility. Third, a Dining Scene at (2700K) and (40 to 60% brightness) for relaxed evening meals. Fourth, a Night Scene at (2200K) and (10 to 20% brightness) for late-night kitchen visits that will not kill your melatonin. Setting these up typically takes (30 minutes) in your smart lighting app and makes an enormous daily difference.

VOICE CONTROL AND MOTION SENSOR INTEGRATION

Voice control integration might sound like a gimmick until you have tried it in a real kitchen context. When your hands are full of groceries or covered in flour, being able to say “Hey Siri, turn on kitchen cooking mode” is genuinely useful rather than just fun. Both Amazon Alexa and Google Home integrate seamlessly with all major smart lighting platforms. For kitchens specifically, I also strongly recommend adding motion sensor switches in key areas like the pantry, under sink cabinet, and any pull-out cabinet organizers. These typically cost ($20 to $60) per sensor and save both energy and the annoyance of fumbling for a light switch with full hands. Motion-activated under cabinet lighting is another trend surging in 2026, particularly in prep areas where you want light instantly when you step up to the counter.

Kitchen Lighting On A Budget: Maximum Impact For Minimum Spend

Not everyone is working with a ($50,000) renovation budget, and that is completely okay. Some of the most dramatic kitchen lighting transformations I have seen cost less than ($500) total. The key is knowing which changes deliver the most visual impact per dollar spent and prioritizing those over expensive structural changes.

The first and most impactful budget move is always replacing your existing bulbs. If you have old incandescent or even early-generation LED bulbs in your fixtures, swapping them for high-quality (2700K to 3000K) LEDs with a CRI of (90 or above) will immediately improve how your kitchen looks and feels. This costs ($30 to $80) for a full kitchen worth of bulbs. The second biggest impact comes from adding dimmer switches to your existing circuits. A basic Lutron Toggler dimmer costs ($15 to $25) and takes about (20 minutes) to install if you are comfortable with basic electrical work or about ($75 to $150) if you hire an electrician. The ability to control brightness is transformative.

Third on the budget priority list is adding plug-in under cabinet lights, which we discussed earlier. Fourth is swapping out an outdated center ceiling fixture for something with more personality, a new flush mount or semi-flush chandelier can cost ($80 to $300) and makes a huge difference in how the room feels. According to a 2024 survey by Houzz, (71%) of homeowners who made budget lighting updates under ($1,000) reported significant improvement in their kitchen’s overall appearance and functionality.

DIY LIGHTING UPGRADES UNDER $200

Here are my top DIY kitchen lighting upgrades that will each cost you under ($200) and can be completed in a single weekend afternoon. First, install a plug-in LED light bar under your upper cabinets. A quality set covering (6 to 8 linear feet) runs ($40 to $90) on Amazon or at Home Depot. Second, add a dimmer switch to your overhead light circuit for ($15 to $25). Third, replace your kitchen faucet light with an LED puck light inside the cabinet above the sink for ($20 to $40). Fourth, add LED rope lights to the top of your upper cabinets for upward cove lighting at ($20 to $50). Fifth, swap your center fixture for a more stylish option at a discount retailer. None of these require professional installation and all of them will make a measurable difference. Total investment for all five upgrades is ($115 to $205), which is genuinely some of the best money you can spend in your kitchen.

WHEN TO HIRE AN ELECTRICIAN VS. DIY

I am all for DIY when it makes sense, but kitchen lighting has some real boundaries around when you should absolutely call a licensed electrician. The rule is simple. If the work requires running new wiring, adding new circuits, installing recessed lights where none existed before, or hardwiring any new fixtures, hire a licensed electrician. Period. Do not negotiate with that boundary. The cost of a licensed electrician for kitchen lighting work typically runs ($75 to $150 per hour), and a full kitchen lighting overhaul including new recessed layout plus pendant wiring plus under cabinet hardwiring usually takes (8 to 16 hours) of electrical work, putting the total electrical labor cost at ($600 to $2,400). On top of that, budget ($500 to $3,000) for the actual fixtures depending on your choices. A full professional kitchen lighting renovation from concept to completion typically ranges from ($2,000 to $8,000) total.

Color Temperature And CRI: The Science Behind Great Kitchen Light

Let us talk about the nerdy stuff, because understanding color temperature and Color Rendering Index (CRI) is what separates people who accidentally create great lighting from people who do it intentionally every time. These two metrics govern how light looks and how accurately it shows the true colors of everything in your kitchen, from your countertop to your food to your paint colors.

Color temperature, measured in Kelvins, describes the warmth or coolness of a light source. Here is a quick reference chart to remember. Candlelight sits around (1800K). A warm, cozy living room usually uses (2700K) bulbs. The sweet spot for most kitchens is (3000K to 3500K). Office lighting typically runs (4000K). Daylight is around (5000K to 6500K). Most kitchen lighting experts, myself included, recommend (3000K) as the ideal kitchen lighting temperature. It is warm enough to feel inviting and enhance natural wood tones and warm paint colors, but it is cool enough to provide clear visibility for food preparation.

CRI measures how accurately a light source renders colors compared to natural sunlight, on a scale of (0 to 100). A CRI of (100) means colors look exactly as they would in perfect natural daylight. For kitchens, you should never go below (80 CRI) and ideally you want (90 CRI) or above. Low CRI lights make food look dull, make your beautiful countertops look flat, and make it genuinely harder to see what you are working with. High CRI LEDs typically cost ($2 to $5) more per bulb than low CRI options, which is absolutely worth the upgrade.

PAIRING LIGHT COLOR WITH KITCHEN PAINT COLORS

Your kitchen lighting color temperature and your wall paint color interact with each other in ways that can either enhance both or make both look wrong. This is something that paint companies and lighting manufacturers rarely explain clearly, and it frustrates homeowners to no end when they love a paint color in the store but it looks completely different in their kitchen under artificial light. Here is the practical framework. Warm paint colors like Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036), Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20), or Sherwin-Williams Antique White (SW 6119) look stunning under (2700K to 3000K) warm white light, which amplifies their golden undertones. Cool or white paint colors like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-17) or Sherwin-Williams Pure White (SW 7005) can handle (3000K to 3500K) light without looking yellow or off-white. Bold colors like navy, sage green, or charcoal read most accurately and beautifully under (3000K) light with a high CRI of (90 plus).

AVOIDING COMMON COLOR TEMPERATURE MISTAKES

The number one color temperature mistake I see in kitchens is mixing different color temperatures in the same room without intentional design reasoning. Imagine recessed lights at (5000K) cool daylight, pendant lights with Edison bulbs at (2200K) warm amber, and under cabinet lights at (3500K) neutral white, all in the same (10×12 foot) kitchen. The result is a visually chaotic and somewhat nauseating experience where nothing looks cohesive. The rule is to match your color temperatures within (200K) of each other across all fixtures in the same zone. Your ambient, task, and accent lighting should all live in the same temperature neighborhood. The only intentional exception is when you use (2200K) candle-style bulbs in a decorative pendant specifically for ambiance, while keeping your functional task lighting at (3000K). That contrast is intentional and beautiful when done right.

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW MUCH DOES A FULL KITCHEN LIGHTING RENOVATION COST IN 2026?

A full kitchen lighting renovation in 2026 typically ranges from ($2,000 to $8,000) depending on the size of your kitchen, the fixtures you choose, and the complexity of the electrical work required. Breaking that down: electrical labor alone costs ($75 to $150 per hour) and a comprehensive job usually takes (8 to 16 hours), putting labor at ($600 to $2,400). Recessed light fixtures run ($20 to $80) each, and a standard (10×12 foot) kitchen needs (8 to 12) of them. Pendant lights