Ideas to Remodel Kitchen Soffits With Lights

Recessed Lights

• If your soffit falls above a workspace, recessed lights provide task lighting without a bulky hardware display. Installation is a cinch if you can access the soffit from the attic, but may be more complicated if there's a second floor above the kitchen. The cover rings, which are the only part of recessed lights that show, are available in chrome, brushed nickel, bronze and brass, as well as solid colors like white, black and almond -- something to match any decor. Some covers even include a half-dome shade that directs the light where you need it most.

Track Lights

• Track lights are no longer the clunky metal rails you may remember from the 80s; modern track lighting can be as minimal as a single wire with tiny 2-inch halogen lights, and can be positioned to curve or spiral as you wish. The mobility of track lights makes them more versatile than recessed lights because the individual fixtures can be repositioned easily, and pointed to highlight dark corners or areas of visual interest. Installation can be as simple as installing three small brackets.

Pendant Lights

• If your soffit falls above a breakfast bar, pendant lights are a way to add intimacy or cafe style, as well as additional light. Pendant lights are available in a huge variety of shapes, sizes, finishes and colors, from clear plastic to hand-blown art glass. Hang them at varying heights for a casual, eclectic look, or keep them perfectly level for a sleek, modern kitchen. Measure the distance between the countertop and the soffit before you choose your pendants; hanging them too low will provide less light and more visual clutter. Pendant lights that hang from a wire are adjustable, but those with metal wire covers generally are not.

Light Fixtures

• A classic ceiling fixture is always an option for kitchen soffits, although they aren't as common as other lighting systems. Chandeliers are usually too bulky and ornate for a soffit, but flush-mount fixtures can work well, especially if the shape of the fixture mimics the shape of the soffit. Choose your design carefully: Ornate, cut-glass or textured globes and covers will collect grease and dust very quickly in a frequently used kitchen, and may be difficult to keep clean.