RENOVATING THE LIGHT IN YOUR KITCHEN
Revised August 2025
When designers collaborate, magic happens. A few years ago, we partnered with a brilliant kitchen designer to reimagine their showroom lighting - and the results were transformative. We infused two very different kitchen displays with our signature MINT lighting design approach, and the difference was extraordinary.
Over the years, we have worked with many Kitchen design professionals - bringing our specialist knowledge to their deeply considered and informed designs to get light where it’s needed and make the most of our clients Kitchen Renovations.
But here's the thing: you don't need a full kitchen remodel to enjoy better light.
Lighting is often the missing piece in kitchen renovations. A fresh splashback or new tapware looks great, but if the light doesn’t work with your space, it will never feel right. Whether you're updating finishes or just rethinking how your space functions, there are simple, smart ways to upgrade your kitchen lighting without starting from scratch. Even if you don’t update anything else in your Kitchen, improving your light will definitely improve your home more than you can imagine.
Here are five ways to renovate the light in your existing kitchen - based on real design principles we use every day at MINT.
1. Get the Downlights Off the Walkways
Most homes have a grid of downlights installed smack-bang in the middle of the kitchen walkways. Unfortunately, that’s the worst place for them - because they throw shadows right where you’re working: on the benchtop.
2. Layer the Light – It’s Not Just for Looks
A well-lit kitchen doesn’t rely on one type of light - you need three:
Ambient lighting for general illumination
Task lighting for functionality
Accent lighting to showcase features and elevate mood
Renovation tip: Use LED strip lighting under overhead cabinets, inside shelves or kickboards for ambient light. Combine this with beautiful pendants or discreet architectural fittings for accent, and you’ve got a layered lighting design that adapts to every moment - from cooking dinner to hosting a wine night.
3. Add Indirect Light for a Softer, Bigger Feel
Indirect light - light that bounces off walls or ceilings - is your secret weapon for making a kitchen feel more open, calm, and inviting. It softens shadows, reduces visual clutter, and gives your space an architectural polish.
Renovation tip: If your cabinetry stops short of the ceiling, you’ve got the perfect spot. We often integrate lighting above the joinery to bounce light up to the ceiling. The effect is subtle but stunning - it lifts the room, adds a sense of volume, and instantly modernises the feel. Read our Blog on Indirect Lighting for more information.
4. Don’t Forget the Inside of Cabinets and Pantries
This one’s a game changer. Most kitchen lighting designs forget about the dark corners - inside cupboards, pantries, and drawers. Standard downlights rarely reach these spaces well (especially with your body in the way!), leaving you rummaging in shadows.
Renovation tip: Add vertical lighting strips inside pantries and deep cabinets. We’ve done this in showrooms and countless client kitchens - and it’s not only gorgeous, but incredibly practical. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
5. Use Light to Celebrate Your Kitchen’s Best Features
Have a beautiful benchtop, a show-stopping splash back, or custom cabinetry? Let it shine - literally. The right accent light will draw the eye to your design details and make them pop.
Renovation tip: Integrate LED strip lighting under island benchtops or overhead cabinets to highlight materials. Choose pendants or wall lights with care - they should complement your style and provide functional light. In the right spot, a feature pendant becomes the jewel of your kitchen.
Two Real-World Examples from Our Showroom Collaboration
Provincial Kitchen Lighting Makeover
In this elegant, traditional-style kitchen, the cabinetry stopped below ceiling height - which gave us a perfect opportunity for indirect lighting. We added soft uplighting above the joinery to expand the space visually and bring warmth and calm.
Provincial / Tradition Kitchen with no lighting built into the Cabinetry, relying only on generic downlight grid placement for lighting.
Provincial / Traditional Kitchen with low glare cabinet spotlights under the overhead cabinets to light the benches and light integrated above the overhead cabinets filling the ceiling and room with soft effective light.
The hidden star of the show? Vertical lighting inside the large corner pantry. It lights every shelf evenly, adapts to adjustable shelving, and eliminates the dreaded cupboard-shadow problem. Subtle, effective, and oh-so-satisfying.
Corner pantry in Kitchen full of shadows and hard to see inside.
Corner pantry with vertically installed LED Strip Light to one side, providing functional light for the entire cabinet.
The Modern Kitchen Lighting Makeover
In the modern kitchen, the island bench is the centrepiece. We added discreet under-bench lighting to show off the stunning materials and add a gentle ambient glow.
Overhead cabinetry also got the MINT treatment - integrated strip lighting that’s both beautiful and practical. The result? A balanced, functional, and high-end lighting scheme that truly works for real life.
It’s Not Just About Light Fixtures - It’s About the Right Light.
Modern Kitchen with only standard grid of downlights for lighting.
Modern Kitchen with Linear LED light integrated under over head cabinets, and under benchtop of central island providing functional light to the benches and a soft ambient glow to the room.
At MINT, we’re obsessed with performance, quality and comfort. We use architectural-grade LED fittings that are designed to work hard and last. That means warm, visually comfortable light (we stick to 3000K for kitchens), no harsh glare, and clever integration that works with your home - not against it.
Light should never be an afterthought. Just like your benchtop or your appliances, lighting should be carefully chosen to support your lifestyle, your aesthetics, and your family’s wellbeing.
Ready to rethink the light in your kitchen?
You don’t need a full renovation to transform your space - just a fresh lighting strategy, tailored to how you live. And we’d love to help. Submit your project request now.
Kitchen Lighting FAQ
Q: Can I improve my kitchen lighting without a full renovation?
Yes - a lighting design plan can be integrated into your existing kitchen layout, often with minimal changes or impact on the structure or finishes of the Kitchen.
Q: What’s the best lighting colour for kitchens?
We recommend a warm 3000K LED light for visual comfort and clarity - perfect for cooking, chatting, and everything in between. Tip: Remember to check the colour of your range hood!
Q: Do you offer kitchen lighting consultations in Sydney?
Yes! We work with homeowners across Australia and the World – if you’re outside of Melbourne Australia, we will meet with you online via Zoom and give you the advice you need to get the most out of your kitchen renovation.