Lighting Solutions for Galley Kitchens

Track Lighting

• In many kitchen layouts, ceiling-mounted light fixtures generally provide the most diffused light, which allows the entire space to be lit. However, in a galley kitchen, a single light mounted in the center of the ceiling may not be adequate to illuminate the entire kitchen because the space is usually long and narrow. Track lighting is an ideal solution because it features individual heads that can be adjusted to provide light in specific areas of the kitchen. You can mount two separate tracks on each side of the kitchen so there is plenty of light throughout the space.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

• If your overhead lighting is not sufficient to light the entire kitchen, you may have difficulty seeing what you are doing as you work at your counter. Under-cabinet lighting is an ideal solution for a galley kitchen because it provides concentrated light where you need it. You can mount fixtures beneath all of your cabinets or below a select few where you work most frequently. You can choose from a variety of under-cabinet lighting options, including small track lighting, linear systems or slim fluorescents.

In-Cabinet Lighting

• Another solution for additional lighting in a galley kitchen is to add lighting to glass front cabinets. You can mount small fluorescent, xenon or halogen lights inside the cabinets so you can easily see inside even when the glass front doors are closed. Not only is this ideal for display purposes, but it allows you to find what you're looking for in your cabinets without turning on an overhead light.

Pendant Lights

• A single pendant light is often used to provide centralized light in a kitchen. However, in a galley kitchen, one fixture is usually not enough to light the entire space. An ideal solution is to hang a series of pendant lights that feature the same design along the center portion of the ceiling to illuminate the entire kitchen. You can find pendant lights in a variety of styles and colors, so you are not only adding light to the kitchen but a decorative element as well. For a more interesting look, use the same style of light but two or three different colors.

Natural Light

• In addition to adding lighting fixtures, increasing the amount of natural light that your galley kitchen receives can be helpful as well. Depending on the setup of your house, you may place a window over your kitchen sink or at one end of the galley's corridor. If you have an entrance off your galley kitchen, French doors are another way to open up the room to natural light. To provide natural light from above, add a skylight or two in the center of the kitchen as well.