Lighting for a kitchen area is typically the most demanding usually because this is an area we spend a lot of time in and we do many things while there. Here's a few starting considerations:

- Task lighting: think about how you'd like to light the areas where you prepare food, cook, wash up, storage etc. You'll want clear definition with little/no shadows
- Aesthetics: with so many surface and areas to light you can have fun here, even add colour

- Do you have more than one circuit for different groups of light fittings

- Other light fittings may include the use of LED strips and dont forget the dimming capabilities and colour temp [warm - cool] of all your light fittings

- Consider locating some down-lighters close to walls to wash down, other options would be to use up-lighters or led strips on top of cabinets to throw reflected light off the ceiling

- Reflected light typically looks better than direct light from down-lighters

- Some consultation from a lighting designer will address this and more, and set you up for an important room of the home

Lets see what others say, keep us up to date and dont stop asking more questions.

We'd suggest you generate your brief then speak to a local lighting designer, interior designer or even an experienced electrician to see what guidance and services they can offer.

Also, maybe drop into an electrical wholesaler like Grant & Stone or local lighting retailer and have a chat with them.

Good luck and it's certainly worth the effort to get this designed well with the right fittings.

A lighting layout is quite time consuming to do, as well as demanding expertise and the response above from Claire is spot on [no pun intended!]. Kitchens are probably the most demanding too - the last one I did was quite small, c4 x 4m, and we ended up with 5 different circuits. Don't be tempted to just place spots equidistantly across the space, which, in my experience, is the response from electricians! And don't forget to make sure your worktop space is adequately lit, either with under cabinet lights or ceiling spots.

Well said Read Interiors about spots across the ceiling area - it seems to be the default approach for providing light, but well placed LED strips and other fittings can light a place more effectively - and look far better AND potentially be cheaper to do ;)

Dean unless you like employing a cleaner to polish pendants I'd swerve away from them. They look great in pictures but you'll find there's a greasy layer on them within no time unless you've a monster of an extractor and that may still not curb the problem.

Under cabinet LED strip lighting is must these days in assisting prep work or just used as ambient light when your spots are off.

Remember with downlights that the majority are fixed though larger models can move to give you some directional lighting. Consider where your going to be standing / shadows created etc.