19 Ways to Use Track Lighting for a Streamlined Kitchen Design

Sleek, versatile, and customizable, track lights can add a “wow” factor to your kitchen without being overwhelming.

If sconces or pendant lighting seem too obtrusive for your space, installing track lighting is a surefire way to add a lot of light to your kitchen while maintaining clean lines. You can be creative with how many track heads you add to the rail, and how you position them to illuminate certain areas. These modern kitchens use track lights to great effect—and to our unanimous approval.

The kitchen island of OCM House was custom-built on-site by Studio Jackson Scott using Australian Blackbutt.

The kitchen island of OCM House was custom-built on-site by Studio Jackson Scott using Australian Blackbutt.

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WAC Lighting Summit ACLED Beamshift Line Voltage Cylinder Track Head
The Summit ACLED Beamshift Line Voltage Cylinder Track Head is the perfect replacement for halogen MR16's as they offer lower wattage with superior lumen output, over 10 times the rated life span, less maintenance, no projected heat, and BeamShift technology in-field changeable beam angle.
Bruck Lighting E10 LED Track Spot Light Eco Track Head
The E10 LED Track Spot Light Eco Track Head by Bruck Lighting takes the lead in clean, modern looks and versatility. Track lighting is the optimal solution for creating well-lit areas in both residential and commercial settings and the modular E10 on the single circuit Eco track is no exception.
WAC Lighting Charge LED Energy Star 3 Light Track Kit
The Charge LED Energy Star 3 Light Track Kit provides high-level light output in a smaller spaced setting. This kit is designed for residential or lower ceiling applications. It is made of die-cast aluminum with a frosted TIR lens and is dimmable.
In the kitchen of Olmos Park Residence by Lake | Flato Architects, the concrete, barrel-vaulted ceiling adds an industrial air.

In the kitchen of Olmos Park Residence by Lake | Flato Architects, the concrete, barrel-vaulted ceiling adds an industrial air.

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WAC Lighting LED2020 Silo X20 Beamshift Track Head
The LED2020 Silo X20 Beamshift Track Head by WAC Lighting supplies ample amounts of lighting despite its low-profile and unobtrusive presence in the household.
Bruck Lighting Chroma Z10 Track Spot
The Chroma Z10 Track Spot is a fully adjustable, machined aluminum track fixture. Industry best color quality and consistency is achieved through the use of single source cold remote phosphor LED module with a life of +50,000 hours.
WAC Lighting Exterminator II 22W LED Track Head - H/J/L
The Exterminator II 22W LED Track Head - H/J/L offers superior light output in a compact, unobtrusive design. The Exterminator II collection was developed for upscale residential and commercial environments, with superior illumination, in a compact design.
"Small IKEA kitchens drive me crazy, but six kitchens' worth of IKEA cabinets can be made into something beautiful," says homeowner Andrew Dunbar. Staggered by width, the cabinets have exposed kick-plate gaps for storing CDs.

"Small IKEA kitchens drive me crazy, but six kitchens' worth of IKEA cabinets can be made into something beautiful," says homeowner Andrew Dunbar. Staggered by width, the cabinets have exposed kick-plate gaps for storing CDs.

The floors in Tetris Extension by Crosshatch are hydronic-heated, polished concrete.

The floors in Tetris Extension by Crosshatch are hydronic-heated, polished concrete.

B.E Architecture combines a revitalized kit home with a modern steel-and-glass extension to form a multi-generational Melbourne residence. In the kitchen, black cabinets meld seamlessly with dark countertops, furniture, and sleek track lighting.

B.E Architecture combines a revitalized kit home with a modern steel-and-glass extension to form a multi-generational Melbourne residence. In the kitchen, black cabinets meld seamlessly with dark countertops, furniture, and sleek track lighting.

Home to Greg Truen, director of South African architecture and design firm SAOTA, Kloof 119A is a 9,150-square-foot residence in Cape Town that takes advantage of mountain and city views while de-emphasizing the street and neighboring homes. Kitchen joinery was done by Roma Casa Kitchens. Clerestory windows allow mountain views and light to drench the space.

Home to Greg Truen, director of South African architecture and design firm SAOTA, Kloof 119A is a 9,150-square-foot residence in Cape Town that takes advantage of mountain and city views while de-emphasizing the street and neighboring homes. Kitchen joinery was done by Roma Casa Kitchens. Clerestory windows allow mountain views and light to drench the space.

In the kitchen of Selby Aura, Drawing Room Architecture painted the existing cabinetry and kept the hardware. They installed new Caesarstone raw concrete composite stone counters, a tile backsplash, and a custom wall shelf.

In the kitchen of Selby Aura, Drawing Room Architecture painted the existing cabinetry and kept the hardware. They installed new Caesarstone raw concrete composite stone counters, a tile backsplash, and a custom wall shelf.

When Nook Architects set out to renovate a 720-square-foot apartment in Barcelona's Poble Sec district, they knew they wanted to retain the space's characteristic elements—especially the original barrel-vaulted ceilings. Here, the track lighting accentuates the rhythmic curves. 

When Nook Architects set out to renovate a 720-square-foot apartment in Barcelona's Poble Sec district, they knew they wanted to retain the space's characteristic elements—especially the original barrel-vaulted ceilings. Here, the track lighting accentuates the rhythmic curves. 

Named the Quarry House, this striking, bluestone-clad dwelling has been designed by creative architecture studio Finnis Architects in collaboration with interior designer Carmel Iudica. The kitchen of Quarry House is tucked under the living spaces above and wrapped in a warm wood finish.

Named the Quarry House, this striking, bluestone-clad dwelling has been designed by creative architecture studio Finnis Architects in collaboration with interior designer Carmel Iudica. The kitchen of Quarry House is tucked under the living spaces above and wrapped in a warm wood finish.

When creative director Martin Ringqvist and his wife, My, a teacher, moved back to Sweden after a year in Los Angeles, they wanted an authentic, warm space to live in with their two children. The kitchen’s matte-black Vipp system is paired with an antique white ceramic tile stove that was typical in the late 19th century. Although it’s not operable, the stove is used by the couple as a staging ground for illuminated candles and a storage space for an iPad that controls the home’s sound system.

When creative director Martin Ringqvist and his wife, My, a teacher, moved back to Sweden after a year in Los Angeles, they wanted an authentic, warm space to live in with their two children. The kitchen’s matte-black Vipp system is paired with an antique white ceramic tile stove that was typical in the late 19th century. Although it’s not operable, the stove is used by the couple as a staging ground for illuminated candles and a storage space for an iPad that controls the home’s sound system.

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WAC Lighting TK-104 Track Kit
The TK-104 3 Light Track Kit by WAC Lighting is a simply designed track lighting setup that allows for powerful, direct illumination with a subtle presentation.
Nuvo Lighting 3-Light PAR30 Gimbal Ring Track Lighting Kit
Nuvo Lighting is uniquely, poised to become one of the industry’s leaders.
Progress Lighting LED Medium Flex Track Head
The P9081 LED Track head with a classic step design is ideal for residential and light commercial applications. The P9081 has an integrated driver design allowing for a small, sleek style.
With the help of local design practice Modscape, a family in Melbourne gained a new energy-efficient addition that not only transformed their home life for the better, but also allowed them to live "disruption-free" during the construction process. As the heart of the home, the centrally placed kitchen offers an abundance of storage with the addition of a butler’s pantry.

With the help of local design practice Modscape, a family in Melbourne gained a new energy-efficient addition that not only transformed their home life for the better, but also allowed them to live "disruption-free" during the construction process. As the heart of the home, the centrally placed kitchen offers an abundance of storage with the addition of a butler’s pantry.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese contemporary architecture, Jorge Alonso Albendea of Zooco Estudio gave this home in Madrid a modern and minimalist aesthetic. The kitchen features a waxed concrete floor and Muji-esque cabinets, lighting, and counters.

Drawing inspiration from Japanese contemporary architecture, Jorge Alonso Albendea of Zooco Estudio gave this home in Madrid a modern and minimalist aesthetic. The kitchen features a waxed concrete floor and Muji-esque cabinets, lighting, and counters.

An integrated terrazzo-tile counter holds an induction cooktop under a simple, cylindrical extractor hood in Sorrento House by Figureground Architecture. The cabinetry is composed of blackbutt timber.

An integrated terrazzo-tile counter holds an induction cooktop under a simple, cylindrical extractor hood in Sorrento House by Figureground Architecture. The cabinetry is composed of blackbutt timber.

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Progress Lighting Alpha Trak Collection 3-Light White Track Lighting Kit
Alpha Trak kits come complete with 3 track heads, 4 ft. track, canopy, dead end, feed and mounting hardware. Heads, complete with black baffle, can be positioned anywhere along track and aimed for customized lighting layout. Photo Courtesy of Build.com
WAC Lighting Model 704 Line Voltage Track Lighting
The Model 704 Line Voltage Track Lighting by WAC Lighting blends seamlessly into contemporary living spaces with a minimal, yet discrete profile that provides optimum lighting while acting as unobtrusively as possible.
WAC Lighting Model 808 Low Voltage Track Lighting
With its versatile angling capability and unpretentious look, the Model 808 Low Voltage Track Lighting by WAC Lighting is a useful and subtly attractive tool that can aim light at difficult corners.
The kitchen units in Elm Street House by Gardiner Architects are composed of blackbutt veneer and have a matte finish. The counters are Caesarstone.

The kitchen units in Elm Street House by Gardiner Architects are composed of blackbutt veneer and have a matte finish. The counters are Caesarstone.

Thomas + Williams Architects sow simplicity with an artful combination of concrete, oak, steel, and prefabricated panels in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Oak and concrete meet a substantial marble countertop and backsplash in the kitchen.

Thomas + Williams Architects sow simplicity with an artful combination of concrete, oak, steel, and prefabricated panels in Port Melbourne, Victoria. Oak and concrete meet a substantial marble countertop and backsplash in the kitchen.

By redesigning the entire layout of this formerly outdated ski house, designer Jane Hope was able to create a more open concept, featuring a bright and airy atmosphere. The homey, open kitchen is fully equipped for cooking family meals together.

By redesigning the entire layout of this formerly outdated ski house, designer Jane Hope was able to create a more open concept, featuring a bright and airy atmosphere. The homey, open kitchen is fully equipped for cooking family meals together.

Inside the southern pavilion of this Australian home, there is the primary open-plan living space, a study, a laundry room, and a guest bedroom and bath. A streamlined kitchen is defined by its white cabinetry against the surrounding cedar walls. Jackson Clements Burrows Architects led the project.

Inside the southern pavilion of this Australian home, there is the primary open-plan living space, a study, a laundry room, and a guest bedroom and bath. A streamlined kitchen is defined by its white cabinetry against the surrounding cedar walls. Jackson Clements Burrows Architects led the project.

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WAC Lighting Silo X20 ACLED Beamshift Track Head
The Silo X20 ACLED Beamshift Track Head by WAC Lighting provides optimal lighting to interior living spaces like kitchens and wet bars while remaining chic and durable.
Lithonia Lighting Meshback LED 3-Light Track Kit
Clean-cut in look and maintenance-free. The Lithonia Lighting Meshback LED 3-Light Track Kit adds a touch of depth and balance to any existing interior structure as it projects high-quality, warm white light to accentuate displays, bars and counter tops.
WAC Lighting Precision LED Low Voltage Track Head
Developed for upscale residential and commercial environments, the Precision LED Low Voltage Track Head by WAC Lighting offers lower wattage, superior lumen output, over 10 times the rated life span and less maintenance than halogen MR16's, making it the ideal replacement.
Wood finishes continue into the light-filled kitchen of Wuehrer House by Jerome Engelking, which is just steps away from the pool.

Wood finishes continue into the light-filled kitchen of Wuehrer House by Jerome Engelking, which is just steps away from the pool.

Dana Broza of Danka Design Studio was enchanted when she found this alluring bit of green in Tel Aviv's concrete jungle. Through unconventional space planning and creative design solutions, the designer completely transformed an outdated and dark midcentury apartment into a colorful and bright "Urban Jungle." In the kitchen, natural materials such as wood and rattan blend with pops of color. A simple overhang introduces additional seating at the counter.

Dana Broza of Danka Design Studio was enchanted when she found this alluring bit of green in Tel Aviv's concrete jungle. Through unconventional space planning and creative design solutions, the designer completely transformed an outdated and dark midcentury apartment into a colorful and bright "Urban Jungle." In the kitchen, natural materials such as wood and rattan blend with pops of color. A simple overhang introduces additional seating at the counter.

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