If you’re going to refresh your kitchen in 2025, this is the one thing designers say you need

We spend so much time in our kitchens, but it can easily be a room that's overlooked from a decorative perspective. We're not talking about the bones of the space – colors, countertops, and cabinetry are always considered – rather the decorative accessories that add a more lived-in feel.

And if you're planning on giving your kitchen ideas an easy refresh this year, designers say there is one feature that should have all of your attention – kitchen lighting. Gone are the days when fixtures were designed to be purely functional. In 2025, it's all about layering different types of lighting and adding a cozier ambiance.

Here, we hear from design experts on the impact of layered kitchen lighting and the different ways you can use it to give your space a refresh in 2025.

Recent kitchen trends have seen a more decorative approach to lighting. From adding lamps to kitchen countertops to the revival of sconces and picture lights, a more layered approach is the best way to create a cozier ambiance in your scheme.

These easy-to-add and change features are the perfect place to focus on if you want to refresh or reset your kitchen this year. Introducing lamps and decorative lighting or swapping out your old fixtures for new ones is an easy way to make your kitchen feel like new again.

'Given the amount of time we spend in our kitchens it's super important that these rooms adapt to fit the differing requirements placed upon them, and artificial lighting plays a critical part in not only how we function in our kitchens but how we feel in them too,' says interior designer Benji Lewis.

Which lighting to introduce will depend entirely on how you use your space. Is your main requirement a functional ambiance for cooking that becomes cozier for dining, or is your kitchen the hub of your home that has endless uses throughout the day?

'The kitchen is the heart of the home, a place where we entertain and socialize with family and friends. So when resetting the space, choosing the right lighting solutions is crucial to creating an inviting atmosphere that is also practical. The right lights can significantly influence the mood of a space, changing the atmosphere from vibrant and energized to intimate and relaxed,' says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder at Industville.

To create a beautifully layered kitchen lighting scheme, understanding the different types you can introduce is key – from there, you can really think about the designs and balance that works for your space.

5 ways to refresh your kitchen with lighting this year

When we talk about refreshing your kitchen with lighting, we're talking about smaller, manageable changes, the same way you might accessorize a cozier room in the home. It by no means requires a full rewire in your kitchen.

'When it comes to updating your kitchen, while it’s generally preferable to factor in lighting at the design stage, it's not always possible or convenient to move fixed lighting,' explains Jo Plant, head of design at Pooky.

Instead, consider the fixture styles and styles of lighting that have less permanence in your space. 'Although practicality is ultimately the most important factor when choosing kitchen lighting, you don’t want this space to lack character,' adds Helen Pratt, brand ambassador at Arteriors.

'We recommend layering task and ambient lighting, and increasingly we’re seeing a demand for jewelry pieces - statement designs that really add something special to kitchen design.'

Whether you're keen to give your task lighting a fresh look or simply want to add cozy, characterful lamps, these are the four areas of kitchen to focus on – and how you can make them the focus of your kitchen refresh this year.

1. Task lighting

As much as we are embracing kitchens as social, more lived-in rooms of the home, the functionality of it can't be ignored. So, the base of your lighting scheme needs to be practical for cooking, cleaning, and food prep – which is where task lighting comes into play.

'Firstly you need to differentiate between task lighting and ambient. The purpose of task lighting is that you can adequately see what you're doing in your kitchen workspace but even this can be broken down into layers,' says Benji.

'Make sure you have plenty of inset ceiling lights to give full-on light when needed, but as with all lighting make sure you get dimmers fitted, they make so much difference to the atmosphere and function of a room,' adds Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens.

2. Pendants

Kitchen pendant lighting is a firm favorite – especially above a kitchen island. It's a type of lighting that blurs the lines between task and decorative, offering the perfect balance of style and function. So it probably comes as no surprise that pendants are a great feature to give your kitchen a much-needed reset.

'When it comes to ambient light, a central pendant light in the room or cluster of pendant lights above an island works well as a focal point in your lighting scheme. Lighting fixtures made from high-quality materials such as glass or brass serve well as statement pieces in these areas and opting for artisanal hand-crafted fittings will add a personal touch to the space, enriching the overall aesthetic,' says Mara.

However, your pendant lights don't necessarily need to be the star of the show. If you's included statement wall lights, you can allow your pendant to take a back seat and become a more simplistic design feature.

'Keep pendant lights subtle and not too overpowering even though the urge to really make your mark with these is hard to resist. Don’t be set on the three lights over an Island combination, try to be less obvious and go for simple understated, and beautiful,' suggests Helen Parker.

3. Kitchen chandeliers

If you're not the biggest fan of pendant lights – or if they simply don't suit your kitchen layout or style – treating the big light in your kitchen the same way you would cozier rooms in the home can make an unexpected statement in your design.

'When used alongside sconces which provide direct lighting over prep spaces and countertops, an extravagant chandelier above the island can work as a focal feature,' says Helen Pett.

'This provides the perfect layered combination to ensure the kitchen is properly lit and has a light level for every occasion.'

4. Wall lights

While wall sconces and lights might feel more at home in a bedroom or hallway, they are a timeless design feature to add to your kitchen, too. Not only do they add a decorative touch, but they are another option that work as both ambient and task lighting.

'Positioned strategically, wall lights also offer another great task lighting solution; illuminating specific countertop areas and adding a stylish element that doesn’t take up valuable bench space. By layering light sources, you’ll create depth that will make the room functional as well as a pleasure to be in,' explains Mara

The right fixture design can also add charm and personality to your kitchen in a way other task lighting might not. 'Wall lights are a great way of mixing up the feel of a room, they seem to create a softer light and really give character to a room, I would always recommend wall lights in a kitchen,' says Helen Parker.

They're also a perfect layering piece – paired with ceiling lights for extra brightness and a table lamp for a cozier touch, it's the ultimate lighting design.

5. Table lamps

The kitchen countertop lighting trend is not only stylish, but it's here to stay. They're the perfect layer piece, bringing in texture, ambiance, and visual interest. There's even the option of cordless designs if you want something with minimal fuss.

'Our top tip for layering lighting is to add lamps into your kitchen lighting set up to bring warmth and softness to the space; perfect for a more romantic setting during evening meals or when you want to unwind after cooking,' says Jo.

While you might think to add them to obvious places like countertops or a kitchen table, the styling possibilities can vary per space. 'They can be styled on kitchen islands or open shelving, where they double as both light sources and design accents,' adds Jo.

If you are going to add a table lamp to your kitchen, take a moment to consider the smaller details. 'We love a plug-in light that can just appear in a once gloomy spot or a newly organized little corner of a room, creating instant mood. Little pools of light for tasks like reading or writing can transform a once dull and un-characterful corner,' says Helen Parker.

Layered lighting is the approach for an inviting, characterful kitchen. Whether you mix two styles or create a blend of them all, it's a simple yet oh so effective way to give your kitchen a reset this year.