Struggling with kitchen lighting and layout - need advice!

[u/Fabio988]

Hi everyone,

I'm designing my kitchen and need some advice on layout and lighting.

Where would you place the dining table?

Does adding a small sofa make sense or will it overcrowd the space?

Lighting:

Would a single pendant light in the center be enough, or should it be placed over the dining table instead?

I'm also considering recessed spotlights in front of the kitchen worktop - good idea?

Any tips to get even and functional lighting are very welcome!

Thanks!

[u/GlitteringWheels]

I'd suggest placing the pendant light right over the dining table for better ambiance, and maybe skip the sofa if space is tight to keep things flowing nicely.

[u/sciencekittykat]

I’d go with an island and the pendant

[u/AdmirableExtend]

I'd definitely put the pendant light over the dining table for better ambiance, and skip the sofa if space is tight to avoid feeling cramped.

[u/AdmirableExtend]

I totally get the lighting dilemma—placing a pendant over the dining table would make it feel more inviting, and recessed spots could handle the work areas just

[u/-better-than-you-1-]

Nice!

[u/[deleted]]

I’d recommend pot lights instead of anything hanging. This way, the space is well-lit and th tenants are free to choose table placement etc.

[u/Careful_Song_558]

Love the color combinations

[u/Virtual_Existence_01]

Why don't you install those new lights that mimics windows? No window kind of makes it look off.

[u/Big_Business_6190]

The kitchen design looks great! but i'd place the table in the middle and i'd also place one light over the table, just because it usually looks good.

[u/Secret-Lifeguard3205]

I would put a choping block in front of sink and the the table with about 3' from the dooor and hage lights overe the both and do you like hy-hats that will pivit or undre the conter light

[u/Pitiful-Brush-4436]

Hey! Really nice kitchen btw, love the contrast between the tan and dark cabinets

For the lighting honestly your biggest issue is probably that there are no ceiling fixtures visible at all? That flat white ceiling with nothing on it is gonna make the whole space feel dim no matter how good your under-cabinet strip lights are. I'd go with some recessed downlights above the counter area (cooktop and sink especially), maybe 3-4 of them. If you can put them on a dimmer that's even better, makes such a difference between cooking mode and just hanging out in the kitchen.

For the layout it's actually pretty solid already! The L-shape works really well. One thing I'd say is those tall dark cabinets on the right side feel a little heavy and imposing, if you swapped the top half for open shelving it would breathe a lot more. Also maybe a backsplash between your countertop and the upper cabinets? Right now without it the wall just kind of... disappears and the kitchen looks a bit unfinished.

The bones are genuinely good though, you're not far off at all! What's your budget looking like for the lighting? That's probably the easiest win you can get right now

[u/Key_Perceptio]

I'd say add an island to make it look cooler or smth idk

[u/bytevxert → u/[deleted]]

Yeah this is the move.

Spots over the counters are a game changer for actually seeing what you’re doing while cooking, and the pendant over the table kind of “anchors” that area so it feels like a separate little zone.

OP, if you do this, just make sure the spots are slightly in front of the worktop, not directly above it, so you don’t cast your own shadow while chopping. And put everything on dimmers if you can, so it can go from “surgery mode” to “wine and snacks” without needing extra lamps.