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.

Can Lights vs. Canless Lighting: What’s the Real Tea?

Okay, so you’ve probably seen both “can lights” and “canless lights” trending, and you might be wondering… what’s the difference? Traditional can lights sit inside an actual metal housing (aka the “can”), while canless lights are basically thin LED discs that snap right into your ceiling.

Can lights = classic, slightly bulkier, great if you want that traditional recessed vibe.
Canless lights = modern, super slim, way easier to install, and perfect if you’re working with low ceilings.

If you’re renovating in 2025, most people are going with canless LEDs because they’re energy-efficient, dimmable, and look sleek. But hey, if you’re going for timeless vibes, cans still hold their own.

Lighting Over the Kitchen Island: The Glow-Up Zone

Your kitchen island is the social hub—coffee spot, snack bar, Zoom-meeting table, you name it. So the lighting here has to be chef’s kiss.

If you’re team pendant lights, go for bold, stylish fixtures that make a statement.
If you’re team can lights, keep them spaced evenly (about every 3–4 feet) for balanced light without harsh shadows.
Hot tip: Mixing pendants + recessed can lights is the ultimate power move. You get that “wow” moment with pendants, but the functional brightness from cans keeps the space practical.

Modern Can Light Styles You’ll Actually Love

Forget the boring old recessed lights your grandma’s kitchen had. 2025 is serving way cooler options:

Square recessed lights (yep, not everything has to be round).
Ultra-thin LED panels that basically disappear into your ceiling.
Smart color-changing cans (yes, mood lighting for Netflix + snacks is a thing).
Energy-efficient dimmables that save your bill and your vibes.

Bottom line: Can lights aren’t just background players anymore—they’re part of your kitchen’s style story.

Kitchen Recessed Lighting FAQs (2025 Edition ✨)

Should I choose can or canless recessed lights for my kitchen?

Both work! Canless recessed lights are the sleek, modern pick (no bulky housing, easier to install), while traditional can lights give you flexibility with bulb changes. If you’ve got a low ceiling or want that clean vibe, canless is the move.

Do kitchen recessed lights need to match my cabinets or backsplash?

Nope, your lights don’t have to “match” your cabinets or backsplash. Instead, focus on creating balance: neutral trim blends in, while black or bronze trim adds contrast. Recessed lighting is more about placement and vibe than color-matching.

How many can lights do I need for a 10×10 kitchen?

Usually 4–6 lights, spaced about 4 feet apart. Enough to light up all your zones without going full runway mode.

What’s the best spacing for kitchen recessed lights with a 9-foot ceiling?

For 9-foot ceilings, keep about 4.5–5 feet between each light. Higher ceilings = slightly wider spacing.

Where should I place recessed lights in a small kitchen?

Think “task zones.” Drop a light over the sink, add a few spaced evenly across counters, and avoid putting them directly behind you (shadow city).

How far should recessed lights be from cabinets?

Keep 12–18 inches from the front face of wall cabinets to the center of the light. This way, the light actually hits your counters instead of creating weird shadows.

What’s the ideal recessed light layout for a kitchen island?

Go with 2–3 lights centered over the island, spaced 24–36 inches apart. Bonus: pair with a pendant or two for an IG-worthy mix.

What’s the best type of recessed lighting for kitchens in 2025?

LED dimmable recessed lights with a daylight spectrum (around 4000–5000K) are the gold standard. If you’re going modern, grab canless ultra-thin LEDs—they save space and look 🔥.

Can I use recessed lights as my only kitchen lighting?

Yes, but it’s best to layer. Recessed lights give clean general lighting, but add pendants, under-cabinet strips, or even toe-kick lighting for a layered, designer look.

Is recessed lighting going out of style?

Nope—if anything, it’s evolving. Big bulky cans are less trendy, but sleek canless LEDs and smart dimmable systems are very in.

Final Thoughts – Can Light Layout In Kitchen

Recessed lighting is basically the ultimate kitchen glow-up—it’s sleek, functional, and totally customizable.

Whether you’re mapping out can vs canless lights, figuring out that perfect 12–18 inch cabinet distance, or layering with pendants for extra vibes, the key is balance.

Don’t overthink matching every detail—just focus on even coverage, task lighting where you need it, and a design that feels timeless (but still TikTok-approved ✨).

Get the layout right now, and your kitchen will look fire for years.