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Which ceiling light for the kitchen? - The big buying guide

6 min Time to read

schöne Küche Santa Neo DL

The kitchen is much more than just a place to cook. It is the heart of the home, a meeting place, and often part of the living space. To ensure you feel completely at home there, the right ceiling light for the kitchen plays a crucial role. It provides brightness, supports you while cooking, and at the same time creates an atmosphere that invites you to linger.


In this comprehensive guide, we show you what to look for and which s.luce ceiling lights at skapetze® are suitable for which kitchen situations, and how you can perfectly combine functionality and style with the right choice.

1. Why is a good ceiling light essential for the kitchen?

Imagine this: you're preparing vegetables, but your workspace is in the shade. Or you want to enjoy a glass of wine in the evening, but the harsh light ruins the mood. This is exactly why choosing the right kitchen lighting is so important:


  • Functionality: bright, shadow-free light for cooking and cleaning.

  • Atmosphere: atmospheric lighting for dining and living areas.

  • Design: the ceiling light shapes the character of your kitchen.

2. What criteria are important for a ceiling light for the kitchen? <

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Before you decide on a specific model, you should consider what requirements your new kitchen ceiling light needs to meet. This is because a kitchen has completely different lighting requirements than a living room or bedroom. 


Here, you need functional light for working, but also the option to create a cozy atmosphere. Factors such as brightness, light color, LED technology, and the right IP protection therefore play a decisive role. We will take a closer look at these points below.

How bright should a ceiling light in the kitchen be?

  • 300–500 lumens per square meter are recommended.
  • Calculation example: A 15 m² kitchen requires 4,500–7,500 lumens.
  • It is better to choose something brighter – dimmable LEDs give you flexibility.

What color temperature is ideal for the kitchen?

  • Warm white (2,700–3,000 K): cozy, perfect for open kitchens.
  • Neutral white (3,500–4,000 K): ideal for cooking, as colors appear true to life.
  • Tip: Combine different light colors, e.g., using dimmable or tunable white LEDs.

Why is LED technology worthwhile for kitchen lighting?

  • Saves up to 80% energy compared to halogen.
  • Service life: up to 50,000 hours.
  • Instantly bright, no flickering.
  • Optional: smart home control via app or voice assistant.

A s.luce ceiling light for the kitchen not only brings light into play, but also turns your kitchen into a real feel-good place. Thanks to modern LED technology and stylish design, you can enjoy bright working light when cooking and a cozy atmosphere when eating. Our tip: go for a dimmable version – that way you'll always have just the right light for every moment."

Expert tip from Jürgen T.

Service Manager at skapetze®

What protection class does a ceiling light in the kitchen need?

In areas with moisture or steam (e.g., above the stove without an extractor hood), you should look for a higher IP protection rating:


Area

Recommended protection class

General kitchen area

IP20

Above stove/sink

IP44 or higher 


Caution: Grease and steam can damage lights – choose easy-to-clean materials such as glass, metal, or acrylic.

3. Which ceiling light suits which type of kitchen?

Not every kitchen is the same – and that's exactly why there is no one perfect ceiling light for all. The size of the room, the arrangement of the furniture, wall cabinets, or an open-plan living concept have a major influence on which lighting solution is best suited. While a small kitchen often gets by with a space-saving, flat light, a spacious kitchen-diner needs several light sources and flexible dimming functions. Below, we'll take a look at the most important kitchen types and show you which s.luce ceiling lights are the best choice for each.

Which ceiling light is suitable for a small kitchen?

In a small kitchen, every centimeter counts – not only when it comes to storage space, but also lighting. A ceiling light should take up as little space as possible while still illuminating the entire room evenly. Flat LED models that sit flush with the ceiling are ideal: they are discreet, do not make the room look cluttered, and distribute their light over a wide area. Neutral white light is particularly advantageous as it makes the kitchen appear larger and ensures clear visibility when cooking.

Which ceiling light is ideal for a large kitchen?

Large kitchens offer plenty of space for cooking and moving around – but that's exactly why a single ceiling light is often not enough. Instead, it makes sense to either strategically place several light sources or choose a particularly large ceiling light that provides sufficient brightness. You should look for high lumen values to illuminate the room evenly. At the same time, dimmability is a must: during the day or when cooking, you need bright light, but in the evening, it can be more cozy.

Which ceiling light works in a kitchen with wall cabinets?

Wall cabinets are practical for storage, but often pose a problem: they cast shadows on work surfaces. To avoid this, well-planned basic lighting from a centrally placed ceiling light is important. This should provide wide illumination and evenly light the entire room. In addition, under-cabinet lights can be useful to illuminate specific work surfaces and thus avoid shadow areas.

s.luce Ring

4. What designs and materials are available for s.luce ceiling lights for the kitchen?

Ceiling lights from s.luce are not only light sources, but also design objects. Each model combines high-quality materials with modern LED technology and gives your kitchen its own unique look. Whether purist, elegant, or airy—with the right s.luce lights, you can consciously shape the character of your kitchen.

s.luce Santa Neo ceiling light – minimalist & powerful

The s.luce Santa Neo ceiling light impresses with its clear, minimalist design made of high-quality aluminum. Its linear shape makes it particularly well suited to modern kitchens where functionality and a clear structure are required. The metal gives it an elegant, robust look, and the integrated LED technology ensures uniform, bright illumination. Ideal for anyone who values a minimalist yet powerful statement.

s.luce Ring ceiling light – elegant & versatile

Thes.luce Ring ceiling light is a real highlight among kitchen ceiling lights. With its round shape, it looks both elegant and modern. It is available in various sizes—from compact versions for smaller kitchens to large models for open-plan kitchens.
What's particularly exciting is that you can choose between direct light emission for functional working light and indirect lighting for an atmospheric effect. The combination of high-quality materials such as aluminum and modern LED light guidance creates a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

s.luce Ring Air ceiling light – airy & modern

The s.luce Ring Air ceiling light brings lightness to your kitchen. Thanks to its open, airy design, it almost appears to float on the ceiling. The filigree design makes the room appear larger and gives your kitchen a modern elegance. At the same time, innovative LED technology ensures that the entire room is evenly lit without glare. The Ring Air DL makes a striking statement without being visually intrusive, especially in open-plan kitchens.

Avoid delicate materials such as untreated wood or fabric in the area above the stove and sink.

Expert tip from Jürgen T.

Service Manager at skapetze®

5. FAQ

How bright should a kitchen ceiling light be?

Depending on the size of the room, 300–500 lumens per square meter.

Do I need IP44 in the kitchen?

Yes, if lights are installed near the sink or hob.

Warm white or neutral white?

Neutral white for working, warm white for atmosphere. A combination is ideal.

Can I use smart ceiling lights?

Yes, with s.luce LED lights that can be controlled via an app or dimmer.

6. Conclusion: Your perfect ceiling light for the kitchen

The perfect ceiling light for your kitchen depends on its size, furnishings, and how you use it. With s.luce LED ceiling lights, you can find the right mix of functionality, style, and flexibility—whether you have a small kitchen, a large kitchen-diner, or a design-oriented space.

Invest in the right lighting – and your kitchen will not only be practical, but also a real feel-good place.

Get advice now

If you have any questions, our lighting consultants will be happy to help you find the perfect ceiling light for your kitchen.


Light consultant Danielle

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