Sssshhhhh! Don't tell everyone but there is a way to brighten up your kitchen without forking out thousands on a whole new design. Lighting is one of the simplest and most affordable ways of transforming the heart of the home into a versatile living space with that all important WOW factor.

Lighting requirements vary depending on the dimensions and layout of the kitchen. While primarily a food preparation area, it may also be used for dining or as a gathering place for family and friends. Small kitchens may require only a central ceiling fixture while more elaborate kitchens will benefit from a blend of general, task and accent lighting.

However, even the smallest kitchens can be transformed and made to look much more spacious, with clever under-cabinet or plinth lighting. There's no point having atmospherically low lighting in the kitchen if it means you are going to slice off your own thumb with the carrots or spoon salt into your tea. Work surfaces and food preparation areas need to be effectively lit. Ensure that light shines directly down on to the worktop by using low-voltage lights recessed into the underside of wall units or lights fitted centrally over an island. But neither need you choose unforgiving neon strips.

The best lighting is unobtrusive, so choose low-voltage halogen spotlights fitted into the ceiling for the most subtle effect. This type of ambient illumination can be combined with any other style of lighting depending on the look of your kitchen, from chandeliers for a traditional design to sleek modern fittings for a more contemporary feel. Accent lighting is used to highlight certain features in your kitchen and to create a mood.

You can install lighting inside a glass door cabinet for a dramatic look and to showcase glassware and other prized possessions. If you’ve just laid a lovely new floor as part of your kitchen renovation, make a feature of it by ensuring it’s not left in the shadows. Plinth lighting creates a beautiful link between the furniture and the floor, emitting a soft glow and casting light across the floor. Blue LEDs work best for grey, slate and white tiles, while amber LEDs are better for warmer floor colours. Halogen lamps work well for pretty much any floor colour especially wood floors.

LEDs (light emitting diodes) are the latest revolution in kitchen lighting. They have a life of between 50,000 and 100,000 hours and produce very little heat, making them much safer than standard bulbs for little hands or wandering paws. As well as looking great they are kind to the environment. Consider adding dimmers to the various light sources in your kitchen. Not only does this allow you to easily set the mood in the kitchen but it’s also a great way to save electricity