Adding the right lighting to your kitchen can make an otherwise ho-hum cooking room into a visually appealing, entertaining space. A type of recessed lighting, can lights, can be used almost anywhere in your kitchen, and the best part is they're budget-friendly.

Task Lighting

Can lights can be used to add that little bit of extra light you need for kitchen task spaces, like a food preparation area. However, if your food preparation area is under a cabinet, you'll want to steer clear of the can. Can lights have a can that fits into the wall in which the light is recessed. So, they're not ideal for under cabinet lighting.

Over an Island

If you have a central kitchen island, can lights can be used, instead of pendant lamps, to light the area from overhead, but keep the height of your ceilings in mind when choosing bulbs. The farther the light is away, the brighter the light bulb needs to be.

Around the Perimeter

Can lights placed 1 to 2 feet apart around the perimeter of your kitchen help create even lighting throughout the room and avoid possible dark corners.

Around Other Lamps

Direct light fixtures, like chandeliers and pendant lamps, focus light on one space. Can lights can be used around the base of a direct light fixture to create an even and low level of light throughout the area.

Accent Lighting

If you have an item in your kitchen you'd like to showcase, like your china, can lights can be placed overhead in the ceiling to accent and draw attention to the item.

Over Cabinets

If your cabinets don't reach the ceiling, a can light can be placed above each one to keep the area from being too dark.

Source:

HGTV.com: Kitchen Lighting Design Tips

Recessed Lighting