Villas
Kitchen Lighting Design for Villas
Place light where people work or read faces. Layer task light over ambient light and test glare from occupied positions.
Explore the ideas
Plan in this order
- Mark tasks, viewing angles and screen locations on the furniture plan before placing fittings.
- Separate regularly used tasks from the room's general lighting so each can be controlled independently.
- Test the proposed fitting and finish sample together. Glossy finishes can reflect a bright source directly into view.
Worked example
A glossy backsplash reflects the ceiling fixture into the cook’s eyes while chopping at night.
Use shielded under-cabinet task light and sample the backsplash vertically with that light switched on before selecting its sheen.
How to test it
Check the space in daylight and after dark. Stand and sit where people actually use it, and check controls from the entry.
Apply it to this space
- Layout
- Separate the heavy cooking run from a breakfast counter and provide a short route to dining and patio.
- Detail
- Use task lighting at prep zones and durable finishes where garden traffic enters.
- Trade-off
- A large island creates gathering space but may lengthen the cook’s work route.
- Walk the prep-to-dining route
- Check sun and heat at counters

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