How To Design The Can light Layout In The Kitchen?

When planning your dream kitchen, lighting is one of the most impactful yet often overlooked elements.

Can lights in a kitchen—also known as recessed lights—offer a sleek, modern solution for general, task, and accent lighting.

,man installing can light in kitchen celing

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to design the can light layout in your kitchen, step-by-step, with tips that apply whether you’re a homeowner, interior designer, or enthusiastic DIY renovator.

Table of Contents

Can Light Placement in Kitchen Zones – Quick Reference Table

Kitchen Area	Recommended Distance	Light Size	Purpose
Sink	30–36″ from wall	6 inch	Task Lighting
Counters	12–18″ from upper cabinets	4–6 inch	Task Lighting
Island	2–3 lights, evenly spaced	6 inch	Task + Ambient Lighting
Perimeter	4–6 feet between lights	6 inch	General/Ambient Lighting
Corners	Avoid placing lights	N/A	Prevent wasted light beams

Can Light Spacing & Quantity Guide by Kitchen Size

Kitchen Size	Ceiling Height	# of 6″ Can Lights Needed	Spacing Between Lights
Small (10×10 ft)	8–9 ft	4–6	~4 ft apart
Medium (12×12 ft)	8–9 ft	6–8	4.5–5 ft apart
Large (15×15 ft)	9+ ft	8–12	5–6 ft apart

Can Lights for Kitchen Ceilings

Can lights (aka recessed or canned lights) are flush-mounted fixtures that tuck into the ceiling, providing a clean, minimalistic look.

They’re especially ideal for kitchen ceilings where space, ventilation, and lighting balance are critical.

If you’re remodeling or building from scratch, ensure your ceiling structure allows for these fixtures.

For homeowners with 9ft ceilings, opt for deeper can housings that distribute light more evenly.

👉 Amazon Pick: TORCHSTAR 6 Inch Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Light – Great for shallow ceilings and comes with junction boxes.

Layout for Kitchen Can Light Fixtures

A good layout means placing your can lights strategically based on the kitchen’s layout, cabinetry, island, sink, and appliances.

For example:

Around kitchen perimeter for ambient lighting
Over workstations for task lighting (sink, counter, stove)
Between cabinets and island for focused coverage

Design your can lighting layout before installation to avoid shadowy zones and overlaps.

Can Light Placement in Kitchen

The golden rule for can light placement in kitchens is to ensure even illumination.

Start by creating a grid.

Typically, lights are spaced 4 to 6 feet apart, depending on ceiling height and light beam angle.

Pro Tip: For a 10×10 kitchen, four to six 6-inch can lights spaced 4 feet apart usually suffice.

Typical Can Light Above Sink

One of the most common areas for task lighting is the kitchen sink.

A typical can light above the sink should be centered, about 30 to 36 inches from the wall, depending on your counter depth.

👉 Amazon Pick: Sunco 6-Inch Dimmable LED Can Light – Ideal for sinks, fully dimmable, and energy-efficient.

***Sunco 6-Inch Dimmable LED Can Light***

Where Should Can Lights Go in a Kitchen?

Your can lights should go:

Around the perimeter of the kitchen
Over task zones like counters, island, and sink
Avoiding directly above shiny surfaces (causes glare)
Not too close to cabinet tops (creates shadows)

Check your ceiling type and joist direction before finalizing placements.

Best Can Lights for Kitchen

Not all can lights are made equal. Look for:

IC-rated lights (for insulated ceilings)
Airtight housings (energy efficiency)
Dimmable, daylight-spectrum LED trims

👉 Amazon Pick: Halo Recessed LED Downlight Kit – Trusted brand, perfect for kitchen installations.

Can Lights Needed for a Medium Kitchen

For a medium-sized kitchen (approx. 12×12 ft), you’ll need 6 to 8 can lights to achieve balanced lighting.

Use 6-inch can lights for broader coverage and calculate based on this spacing rule:

Spacing = Ceiling Height ÷ 2
(For 8ft ceilings: lights spaced ~4 ft apart)

Proper Placement for Canned Lights in Kitchen

Proper placement avoids “hotspots” or “dark zones.” Here’s a quick layout guide:

Area	Distance from Cabinets	Light Size	Use
Sink	30–36″ from wall	6 inch	Task
Counters	12–18″ from upper cabinets	4–6 inch	Task
Island	Centered, 2–3 lights	6 inch	Task + Ambient

Kitchen Layout for Canless LED Lights

If you’re going for a minimalist look, consider canless LED lights.

These ultra-thin lights sit flush and don’t require a traditional can housing.

👉 Amazon Pick: Ensenior 6 Inch Ultra-Thin LED Recessed Lights – Great for tight spaces, no can required.

**Ensenior 6 Inch Ultra-Thin LED Canless Lights**

Can Lighting in Kitchen Layout

Think of your kitchen in zones—each with specific lighting needs.

Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting using recessed lights with adjustable trims.

Proper Spacing for 6 Inch Can Lights in Kitchen

Spacing matters just as much as placement. The general rule for 6 inch can lights in kitchen is:

Spacing = Ceiling Height ÷ 2

For 8-foot ceilings, space lights 4 feet apart
For 9-foot ceilings, space them 4.5 feet apart

Place lights 12–18 inches away from the upper cabinets to reduce shadows.

TIP: Use a laser distance measurer or painter’s tape to grid out your ceiling before cutting holes.

Shop Laser Distance Measurer On Amazon

Distance from Edge of Counter to Recessed Lighting

Getting the distance from the edge of the counter to recessed lighting right prevents annoying shadows while cooking or prepping.

Aim for 12 to 18 inches from the edge of the counter to the center of your can light.
Keep it aligned with the front edge of your countertop to light up your workspace directly.

How Far Should Recessed Lights Be from Upper Cabinets?

Placing your recessed lights too close to upper cabinets causes harsh shadows. A safe distance is:

12 to 18 inches from the face of the upper cabinets
Or roughly 24 to 30 inches from the back wall, if the cabinets are standard depth

This ensures a soft wash of light down your backsplash and counters.

How to Install Can Lights in Kitchen Ceiling?

Installing recessed lights involves several steps:

Mark your layout: Use chalk lines to grid your kitchen ceiling.
Cut holes: Use a hole saw or drywall saw.
Run electrical wiring to your designated switch.
Insert the housing (new construction or remodel type).
Connect wires and push into the ceiling.
Add trim and bulbs.

👉 Tool Suggestion on Amazon:
KATA Hole Saw Set – Perfect for cutting clean holes for can lights.

If you’re unsure, hiring a licensed electrician is safer.

How Many Recessed Lights in Kitchen?

Use this formula to estimate:

Room Length × Room Width × 1.5 ÷ Light Wattage = Total Watts Needed
Then divide by the wattage per light to get the number of fixtures.

Quick Guide:

Small Kitchen (10×10 ft): 4–6 lights
Medium Kitchen (12×12 ft): 6–8 lights
Large Kitchen (15×15 ft+): 8–12 lights

Kitchen Recessed Lighting Plan

A good lighting plan includes:

Grid of recessed lights spaced 4–5 feet apart
Separate circuit for task areas (sink, stove, island)
Dimmers for ambient lighting control
Integration with under-cabinet lighting and pendant lights over islands

👉 Dimmable Smart Switch on Amazon:
Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Dimmer – Control your can lights via phone or Alexa.

***Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Dimmer***

How to Wire Kitchen Recessed Lighting?

Basic wiring involves:

Pulling power from an existing ceiling fixture or circuit
Running wire to each can light in a daisy chain
Connecting to a dedicated wall switch
Ensuring all grounds and neutrals are properly joined

⚠️ Always turn off the power at the breaker and follow NEC electrical codes.

Where to Put Recessed Lighting in Kitchen?

To summarize:

Area	Light Placement
Sink	One light centered, 30–36″ from wall
Island	Evenly spaced, 2–3 lights depending on length
Counters	12–18″ from cabinet face
Corners	Avoid placing lights in corners—causes wasted beams

Kitchen Lighting Layout with Recessed Lights

Create zones using can lights:

Zone 1: General Illumination – Over walkway areas
Zone 2: Task Lighting – Counters, sink, island
Zone 3: Accent Lighting – Art, open shelves

Pair with LED puck lights under cabinets and pendants for full effect.

👉 See our post: Best Under Cabinet Lights for Kitchens in 2025

Explore 👉 Top Pendant Lights for Kitchen Islands Here.

FAQ: Kitchen Can Lighting

How Many Can Lights for a 10×10 Kitchen?

4 to 6 lights are usually sufficient, spaced 4 feet apart.

Where to Place Recessed Lights in Small Kitchen?

Focus on work zones and walkways. Place one light above the sink and a few spaced across the counters.

Kitchen Can Light Spacing 9ft Ceiling?

With 9-foot ceilings, space your can lights 4.5 to 5 feet apart for balanced coverage.

Recessed Lighting Distance from Upper Cabinets?

Maintain 12–18 inches from the cabinet face to the center of your can light.

How Far Should Recessed Lights Be from Cabinets?

For wall cabinets, the ideal distance is 12 to 18 inches from the front face of the cabinet to the light’s center.

Can Light Layout for Kitchen Island?

Use 2–3 lights centered above the island, spaced 24 to 36 inches apart depending on island length.

Best Recessed Lighting for Kitchen?

Look for dimmable, daylight-spectrum LED lights with a wide beam angle and low profile—especially if using canless designs.

Final Thoughts – Can Light Layout In Kitchen

Designing the perfect can light layout in your kitchen is all about balance—spacing, placement, zones, and purpose.

With the right plan, you’ll create a kitchen that’s functional, welcoming, and stunning.