At Dovetail Designs, we’re fans of kitchen lighting that’s both functional and stylish– because a well-lit kitchen makes for an efficient workspace. But while we’ve been advocates for kitchen lighting since the beginning, it was only a few years ago that we started playing around with the variety of options available in our showroom, showing anyone who stops by that yes, you can light up the top of your cabinets, and yes, it sure does look good. 🙂

As you might have guessed, this blog post is dedicated to the importance of lighting in your kitchen, and a few of our favorite options. 

1. Interior Cabinet Lighting 

We love interior cabinet lighting for its ability to showcase your kitchen's contents while providing additional illumination for everyday tasks. This type of lighting is incredibly energy efficient, using low-voltage LED lights that have an extremely long life, to highlight your dishware, glassware, or decorative items. 

2. Under Cabinet Lighting 

Essential for illuminating countertops, where most food prep takes place, Under Cabinet lighting reduces shadows and provides focused light, making chopping, mixing, and reading recipes much easier.

3. Toe Kick Lighting 

Toe kick lighting, installed at the base of your cabinets (also called the “toe kick”) adds a subtle yet stylish touch to your kitchen. This type of lighting serves both practical and decorative purposes by providing a soft glow that makes your kitchen more visible at night. 

We have a local client who absolutely fell in love with her toe kick lighting, using it as a nightlight all year round. 

4. Top of Cabinet Lighting 

We’ve found that while top of cabinet lighting might seem unnecessary while reading about it, once you see it, you’ll love it. This style of lighting creates an ambient glow that adds depth and warmth to your kitchen, particularly in spaces with high ceilings, as it draws the eye upward and highlights architectural details.

5. Drawer Lighting 

Drawer lighting makes it easier to find items in deep or dark drawers. This lighting solution is especially useful in larger kitchens where there’s a lot of storage space, but visibility is limited.


Got questions about how you can incorporate the above styles of lighting into your kitchen? We’ve got answers. Reach out to Jenny to schedule time to chat.