Lighting is the most underbudgeted element in kitchen renovations. Here's how to layer it right.
Homeowners spend weeks choosing countertops and 15 minutes on lighting. Then they move in and wonder why the kitchen feels flat. Lighting is the multiplier that makes everything else look better — or worse.
Layer 1 — Ambient: Recessed cans on a dimmer, spaced every 4 feet on center. 2700K–3000K color temperature for a warm, welcoming kitchen.
Layer 2 — Task Lighting: Under-cabinet LED strips illuminating the countertop work zone. Non-negotiable. Budget: $800–$2,200 depending on linear footage.
Layer 3 — Accent and Decorative: Pendant lights over the island, in-cabinet lighting for glass-front uppers, toe-kick lighting. See 5 Kitchen Remodeling Trends Dominating Atlanta Homes in 2025 for current pendant styles dominating Atlanta kitchens.
Electrical rough-in for lighting is timed in weeks 3–5 of a renovation — see What to Expect During a Full Home Remodel: A Week-by-Week Guide.
Bottom Line
Plan your three-layer lighting scheme before cabinets go in — once cabinetry is installed, adding circuits economically is no longer an option. Under-cabinet lighting alone transforms how a kitchen functions and feels. Budget the lighting package alongside the cabinetry quote, not as an afterthought at the end of the project.
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