6 Of The Best Kitchen Sink Lighting Ideas (2024 Update)
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Looking for a bright yet decorative light to illuminate your kitchen sink or under your cabinets? Then this article is for you!
Today, we’re reviewing 6 of the best kitchen sink lighting products on the market and sharing a detailed buying guide to help you choose the right model for your needs and budget. Let’s dive in!
The Best Lighting Ideas For Your Kitchen (Over The Sink & Under The Cabinets)
1. LED Lighting Strip For Under Kitchen Cabinets
- Comes with wireless remote control
- Dimmable option
- Easy installation
Kicking off our list, we first have a reliable under-cabinet LED Lighting Kit with some impressive features from WOBANE. Showing off thousands of reviews, this kit consists of 6 pieces of pre-cut LED strips. If you choose to connect them in a single line, they’ll total at a length of 9.8 feet.
Offering a choice of either warm white or regular white light colors, these light bars can effectively illuminate your kitchen sink area and in style too. The kit can collectively produce a brightness of up to 1500 lumens.
The cool thing about these lights is that they come with a handy RF (Radio Frequency) remote control. This remote has a wide control range of a distance up to 60 feet.
The included remote also allows you access to a bunch of convenient functions. For example, you can use it to set the timer to any of the 5 available time-off options: 3, 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes.
The remote also lets you pick and adjust the brightness levels as it’s equipped with a high-quality RF dimmer. Additional functions you can control are hot buttons, dynamic, and rematch.
What’s more, the WOBANE kitchen lighting kit is complete with a high-quality adapter. The LED strips operate via a low working voltage to minimize heat reduction.
Installation-wise, these LED strip light bars are a breeze to set up. The kit includes all the necessary installation accessories and the process is fool-proof. All you need to do is remove the paper to expose the adhesive side of the tape, stick the strips to the underside of the cabinet, connect the adapter, and turn on the lights.
Pros
- Comes with an RF wireless remote
- Wide range of remote control
- Easy stick-and-play installation
- Equipped with a dimmer
- Budget-friendly price tag
Cons
- The adhesive tape may require external reinforcement
2. LED Light Bars For Under Kitchen Cabinets
- Comes with 6 bars, each measuring 12 inches long
- Install via self-sticking pads or screws (both included in kit)
- Amazing customer service
Continuing with the under-cabinet lighting category, we’re looking at a powerful light kit from Litever. These LED Light Bars deliver a brightness of up to 2000 lumens, so it’s more than capable of illuminating around your kitchen sink and cabinet area.
This kit offers you a linkable design, which allows you to extend the lighting area by connecting up to 6 units in one line. It also produces soft yet consistent light across the entire length of the bars, without annoying glaring or unattractive LED dots.
Additionally, this kit is accompanied by a rotary dimmer switch to let you enjoy a 0% to 100% stepless brightness dimming. Do note that this kit won’t be compatible with any wall dimmer already existing in your kitchen.
When it comes to installation, these under-cabinet LED light bars are a piece of cake. You can choose either to stick them to the underside of your cabinets to avoid damaging them permanently or screw them in place for more secure positioning.
We like the fact that this kitchen light kit includes everything you need to DIY the installation from self-adhesive pads and wire clips to mounting clips and extension cords. Each bar in this light kit is 12 inches long. They’re available in a warm white color and a cooler daylight white color.
Pros
- Very bright light
- Comes with a dimmer
- Reasonable price for 6 pieces
- Multiple layout options
- Can be screwed in or adhered
- Great customer support
Cons
- The kit is compatible only with the included dimmer
3. Mini Pendant Kitchen Sink Lighting
- Hand-blown clear seeded glass with oil rubbed bronze finish
- Mounting hardware included for simple install
- Adjustable cord for varied height
Many people have a misconception that you can’t install a pendant light over a kitchen sink. However, this is possible and we’ll talk about it more in the buying guide section. For now, though, let’s review this reliable option from Westinghouse.
The first thing that caught our eye is the pendant’s design. Not only is it made out of hand-blown seeded glass, but it also comes in a greyish clear color paired with an oil-rubbed bronze finish that oozes modern/industrial vibes.
The dimensions of the unit are 7 inches L x 7 inches W x 60 inches H. It’s equipped with a fully adjustable 50-inch cord, which allows you to change the height of the bulb over your kitchen sink according to your preference within the appropriate distance-from-sink range.
This pendant is available at a reasonable price and you can install it on any ceiling, even if it’s sloped. It’s best used with a 60-watt light bulb (medium-base).
Additionally, the Westinghouse pendant kitchen lighting is simple to install. The package includes all the mounting hardware you’d need for the job along with easy-to-follow instructions.
Not to mention, the bottom of the pendant is open to let you replace the bulb with zero hassle.
This hanging fixture is ETL and CETL certified. It’s also backed up by a 5-year warranty so you can rest assured your investment is well-protected.
Pros
- Modern-retro look
- Seeded glass construction
- The height of the cord is adjustable
- The bottom side is open so you can easily change the bulb
- Comes with mounting hardware
Cons
- Some inconsistency in size across different units
4. LED Puck Styled Lighting For The Kitchen
- Comes with 6 circular puck lights
- Battery powered
- Wireless remote with lots of functionality
The Brilliant Evolution LED Puck Light Kit is a great way for you to illuminate your kitchen sink area while adding a stunning aesthetic to the room. Unlike strips and bars, these light pucks produce a spotlight effect on your counter and sink, performing just as impressively as they look.
The high-quality construction of these LED pucks offers a long-lasting shine with a brightness of up to 55 lumens per piece. The kit is available in 1, 3, and 6-count options, so you can choose whatever suits your lighting needs.
We particularly like the remote control included in the package. This allows you to enjoy the convenience of a wireless lighting experience where you can adjust the light intensity, set a timer, as well as switch the LEDs on and off.
What’s more, the wireless remote can control as many as 12 pucks at the same time, with a maximum distance range of 15 feet.
The built-in dimmer lets you choose your preferred brightness level, or you can tap the 50% or 100% button for quick brightness adjustment. As for the timer, you can set it to automatically turn off the LED lights after 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours. This is a huge plus when it comes to maximizing battery life.
Speaking of which, the unique aspect of this under-cabinet kitchen sink lighting is that it runs on batteries instead of regular electricity. Each puck requires 3 AA batteries (included) to illuminate properly, which you can easily replace once they’ve dried out.
Pros
- Offers a spotlight effect
- Comes with a wireless remote
- Adjustable brightness
- Powered by batteries
- Long run time
Cons
- You must point the remote directly at the lights to control them (it’s IR, not RF)
5. Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Lights For Kitchen
- 12 pack of lights each 6 inches wide
- No flicker and no noise
- Installation only takes minutes (really!)
Recessed lighting fixtures are very common to use over kitchen sinks, and this kit from Ensenior is one of the best we’ve tested whether it’s for illumination purposes, decorative purposes, or both.
Producing 1050 lumens per unit, these lights generate plenty of brightness with a stylish starry effect that’ll cozy up your kitchen space. The LEDs can also be made dimmable smoothly from 5% to 100%, given that you buy a dimmer from a compatible brand.
These recessed lights are equipped with energy-saving technology to help you cut down on your utility bills, up to 88%. They’re also frosted to make them anti-glare and resistant to scratches.
Additionally, the Ensenior Recessed Lighting features durable construction so it can endure the damp conditions of your kitchen sink space. It offers a long lifespan of up to 50,000 hours.
With these recessed lights, you get to choose from 6 options of light color: cool white (4000K), warm white (3000K), neutral white (3500K), cool white (4000K), daylight (5000K), and clear white (6000K). Regardless of what you choose, you get 12 pieces per package (4 inches or 6 inches) and the lights are backed up by a 5-year warranty to give you peace of mind.
Pros
- Offer a cozy illuminating effect
- Can be made dimmable
- Good energy saving
- Long lifespan
- Multiple color options
Cons
- Only available in sets of 12
- On the pricey side
6. Handcrafted Pendant Kitchen Sink Light
- Thick and durable hand-blown glass
- Works with a variety of different bulb types
- Brushed nickel finish
Last but not least, we have another top-rated hanging light from COOSA. This pendant is constructed using hand-blown glass with a metal bulb base, available in blue or grey color patterns.
The pendant has dimensions of 7.9 inches H x 3.9 inches W. It’s UL certified and offers a convenient installation process, where the package includes everything you’d need to complete the job.
What’s more, the base lamp holder is made of premium insulating porcelain, so you don’t need to worry about its resistance in the kitchen. Not to mention, the protector is wrapped in durable plastic to ensure the safety of the light cord.
Speaking of which, the cord is 75 inches long and it’s adjustable so you can raise or lower the wire to accommodate your lighting needs. Compatible with Edison, incandescent, CFLs, and LED bulbs, this pendant hanging light is backed up by a 6-month warranty.
Pros
- Convenient installation
- Artistic design
- Long, adjustable cord
- Good insulation
Cons
- The color of the glass isn’t as vibrant as you’d expect
How To Choose The Best Kitchen Sink Lighting
When shopping for kitchen sink lighting, you’ll likely come across a lot of different types of products on the market that have tons of features. We understand how overwhelming this might be, so we’ve put together this buying guide to make things easier for you. Now you can make a better-informed decision to match your kitchen sink lighting needs!
Below are the most important points you should consider:
Type of Lighting
The first thing you need to do when trying to find lighting to illuminate your kitchen sink area is to figure out the style that goes best with your lighting needs, decorative requirements, and of course, budget.
Generally speaking, there are 6 common types of lighting that you can install above your kitchen sink. Not only does the choice here depend on your preference, but you also want to keep in mind the design and structure of your kitchen.
Here’s a breakdown of each kitchen sink lighting type:
Recessed/standard lighting
The most popular type of lighting used over a sink is probably recessed lighting, also known as standard lighting. If your kitchen sink has a window with a nice view over it or there’s an empty space over your sink and you need an unobtrusive illumination, then this is the type of lighting to stick to.
Recessed lights typically feature a shallow trim that takes no extra room while producing plenty of light projected downwards. This lighting type dates back to the 1970s when it consisted of a hot spotlight or an incandescent bulb.
Nowadays, recessed lighting is a flush mount LED that’s both effective and economical. This lighting type scores high functionality-wise, but not so much in the decor department.
Pendant lighting
Pendant lighting is another type that you can install if there’s an empty space or a window above your kitchen sink. The popularity of this lighting is more nowadays than ever thanks to its decorative value.
Pendant lights allow you to get creative thanks to the styling freedom that their wide range of designs and colors provide. From modern and industrial to farmhouse and mid-century, there’s a pendant light to suit your taste.
One downside of pendant lights is that not a lot of designs will deliver an optimal level of illumination over your kitchen sink.
Sconces/wall-mounted lighting
Sconces or wall-mounted fixtures are becoming more and more popular to use over kitchen sinks in many homes. Their main advantages are being relatively close to the sink to provide ample illumination and being available in a variety of styles to match your kitchen decor.
Sconces are also usually adjustable, which allows you to change the direction of illumination depending on where you need it the most. If you don’t have a soffit over your sink, you’re probably going to end up installing more than a single sconce.
Whether you opt for one or multiple, consider using a dimmer switch to control the intensity of the light whenever needed.
Under-cabinet lighting
As you can probably tell by the name, under-cabinet lights are best suited for kitchen sinks that have cabinets positioned above them. In fact, they’re the superior choice to ceiling lights in this case as the latter would have their illumination interrupted by the cabinets, creating an unwanted shadow over your sink area.
On the other hand, under-cabinet lights are installed on the underside of the cabinet above the sink, so the produced illumination is right on top of the sink with nothing is obstructing
Under-cabinet lighting is also available in a variety of styles ranging from single long LED bars to a single round light or multiple small lights. Depending on what you prefer, you can choose whether to have these lights directly wired to a switch or hardwired to turn on at the light itself.
Flush mount lighting
This is one of the less popular types of kitchen sink lighting. Even though flush mount lights can produce adequate illumination over a kitchen sink area, they don’t add much when it comes to decorative aspects.
Chandelier lighting
Finally, installing a chandelier over your kitchen sink can be a good idea if you’re going for a luxurious, grand theme. This looks especially good if your sink is in the middle of the kitchen, not to mention, it offers the ultimate decorative touch.
Don’t worry, not all chandeliers are super large and expensive. There are smaller models available at more affordable prices to suit budget-conscious homeowners.
Light Fixture Height
Another important point to think about when installing a light fixture over your kitchen sink is its height from the sink. This isn’t something to worry about with recessed or flush mount lighting, but it’s a crucial concern for pendant lights, sconces, and chandeliers.
As a rule of thumb, the light fixture should be at least 30 to 35 inches above the sink counter, where the optimal height is 40 inches. This height range allows enough room for a 6-foot person to stand at the sink without having to come face to face with the light fixture.
Light Wiring
You’ll need to run wires to the spot above your kitchen sink if there’s no stand-alone light already installed in this area.
Even if you have a light fixture installed in this area, you may still need to get a dedicated wire for the sink light if the existing fixture is connected to other lights in the kitchen.
Switch Type
The switch type can provide convenient flexibility in controlling the sink lighting. If we had our way, we’d have everybody use a dimmer switch as it lets you adjust the intensity of the light and also gives you a chance to change the room’s mood.
Still, a single light fixture will do just fine powered via a decora or conventional light switch.
Structural Support
Finally, if this is your first time installing a light above your kitchen sink area, you should be centering it right over the sink.
Unfortunately, if the light fixture you picked is on the heavy side, the electrical box will need to be mounted onto a ceiling beam or joist to support the weight of the fixture. Of course, recessed, flush-mount, and even some lightweight pendant won’t require such support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are under-cabinet lights safe to install over a kitchen sink?
Yes, under-cabinet lights should be completely safe as long as you install them properly.
That being said, you shouldn’t use this type of lighting under cabinets where you store food because they generate heat that can cause the food to go bad in a shorter time than its shelf life. This, however, doesn’t apply to fluorescent/LED lights because they generate minimal heat.
Do I need an electrician to install a kitchen sink light?
Installing a kitchen sink light is a non-complicated project that you can DIY without seeking professional help.
What height should I install a hanging light over a kitchen sink?
The light fixture should be at least 30 to 35 inches above the sink counter, where the optimal height is 40 inches.
What size should a pendant kitchen sink light be?
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a pendant light size to go above your kitchen sink. It’s all a matter of what you like best and what most suits your kitchen design.
Where should I place ceiling lights over a kitchen sink?
Whether you’re talking about recessed or pendant lights, any ceiling light should be in a centered position over the sink to avoid casting unwelcomed shadows.
Wrap Up
Choosing the best kitchen sink light can be a challenging task, especially with features like type, installation, height, and switch type to think about. This is why we made sure that our list includes only the top-performing options from a variety of lighting styles so you end up with a great deal no matter what.
That being said, we recommend the WOBANE LED Strip Light Bars Under Cabinet Lighting Kit as today’s winner in the under-cabinet lighting category thanks to its bright light, convenient control, easy installation, and reasonable price.
But if you’re looking for something to mount onto your ceiling, then you should check out the Ensenior Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Lights. These lights have a long lifespan, multiple light color options, a generous warranty, and good energy-saving capabilities.
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