If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor kitchen, the absolute worst thing you could do is mess up the lighting.
Late night BBQ’s, early morning grilling… could all be ruined with unintentional, haphazard lighting.
Don’t worry though – we’ve got you covered. Let’s take a look at some of the best outdoor kitchen lighting options, and then run through some tips and tricks for lighting your space.
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Types of Outdoor Kitchen Lighting
Getting the lighting right in your outdoor kitchen is so, so important in making you want to use the space more. Particularly when the weather is cold outside, it can be easy to not want to go out there altogether.
But the right lighting will change that.
With so many options available, what lighting should you go for?
Well, here’s a breakdown of the different types of outdoor kitchen lighting to help you make the perfect choice.
Outdoor Wall Lighting
Outdoor wall lighting is a great way to add elegance and function to your space.
These fixtures are mounted on the walls surrounding your outdoor kitchen, providing a well-lit area for cooking and entertaining.
They’re perfect for task lighting (see What is Task Lighting?) and can also be used to illuminate pathways leading to your outdoor kitchen, provind you have columns or some surface to install them on.
Outdoor Cove Lighting
Outdoor cove lighting offers a subtle (yet brilliant!) way to add ambiance to your outdoor kitchen.
Installed in ledges, recesses, or valences overhead, these lights cast a soft, indirect glow across the space beneath it.
We have a whole article on cove lighting here.
They’re ideal for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere without overpowering the space with bright light.
Outdoor Pendant Lights
For those of you aiming for a bit of style and function, outdoor pendant lights are your go-to.
Hung from the ceiling, pendant lights will provide you focused lighting right where you need it – think over the kitchen island or dining area.
Plus, with pendant lights being so popular, there are so many design options to choose from, so you know they’ll be ones that match your kitchen decor perfectly.
Outdoor Floor Lamps
Outdoor floor lamps are a flexible lighting option that can be moved around as needed.
I love floor lamps because they are so easy to move around – nothings hard-wired; as long as you have a plug socket, you can move your floor lamp. And even if you don’t have a plug socket, you can use an extension cord to get it where you need it!
They’re perfect for standing up next to a deck chair, or even to place next to the grill or barbeque unit (not too close though!).
Outdoor Landscape Lighting
Don’t overlook the power of outdoor landscape lighting.
This type of lighting is used to illuminate walkways, gardens, or other features around your outdoor kitchen, not so much inside your outdoor kitchen.
These will likely come in the form of LED strip lights, but can also be ground lights.
Not only will it make your space safer by lighting up pathways (all those times you need to grab something from the garage or garden shed, you won’t have to venture out with a flashlight), but it will also help highlight the beauty of your outdoor landscaping, making your kitchen space even more enchanting.
If you’re anything like my parents who love maintaining their garden, you’ll want landscape lights (in this case the ground lights) to show them off!
Outdoor String Lights
Last but not least, for a quick and easy way to add charm to your outdoor kitchen, outdoor string lights are hard to beat.
Drape them above your cooking space or around seating areas for a calming, inviting glow. I’d go so far as to say they’re the perfect lighting option for hosting evening gatherings, because they just add that nice sense of atmosphere.
In short, string lights are definitely hard to beat in your outdoor kitchen area.
What’s the Best Lighting for an Outdoor Kitchen?
Now the best lighting for an outdoor kitchen is always going to be subjective, and what I think of as the best won’t always be what you think of as the best.
With that being said, here’s what I think the ideal outdoor kitchen lighting setup should be.
Start with some cove lights, if your space has the ledges/dropped ceiling to allow it. I’ll always look for cove lighting opportunities when re-designing a room, and an outdoor kitchen is no different.
Next, layer the cove lights with a pendant light (or two depending on how large your space is) above the kitchen island.
Pendant lights above a kitchen island work inside the home, and they work outside the home too. Just make sure they’re set at the right height and you’ll be golden (see this pendant light height guide for more info).
Then, a floor lamp next to the seating area. If you’ve got a small table with a few chairs around it, a nice floor lamp is the perfect lighting option.
Lastly, I’d place some string lights around the outer ceiling perimeter of the kitchen. You can never go wrong with string lights.
Top Tips for Outdoor Kitchen Lighting
Writing this is making me so excited for your project! I’m a loser it seems!
Anyway, here are some tips to keep in mind before you embark on your outdoor kitchen lighting journey. Use these as a base, but don’t feel you have to strictly adhere to them.
First Up, Go LED
There’s no beating around the bush here; LED bulbs are your best friend for outdoor kitchen lighting.
Not only do they consume less power, but they also last longer than traditional bulbs, ensuring your outdoor space remains well-lit for years to come.
Plus, LED bulbs come in a variety of colors and brightness levels, allowing for customization based on your needs and mood.
Mix and Match
I say this in most of my articles and I’ll say it again here – layered lighting is always the way to go.
Combine task lighting above your grill and prep areas with ambient lights (see What is Ambient Lighting?) in seating areas to set the perfect mood. Throw in a few accent lights to highlight architectural features or garden plants for that extra oomph.
- Task Lighting: Bright and directed
- Ambient Lighting: Soft and widespread
- Accent Lighting: Focused on features
Think About Control
Having control over your lighting is crucial.
Dimmer switches and smart lighting systems will let you adjust the brightness according to the time of day or the vibe/mood you’re going for.
Imagine dialing down the brightness for a cozy dinner or cranking it up during a late-night grill session.
The power will quite literally be in your hands!
Safety First
Never underestimate the importance of safety lighting. Illuminate walkways and steps to ensure that everyone can move around safely without stumbling in the dark.
Choose fixtures that are specifically designed for outdoor use, as they’re built to withstand the elements.
Incorporating these tips into your outdoor kitchen will not only enhance functionality but will also elevate the aesthetic appeal, making your outdoor kitchen a truly inviting space.
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