Kitchen wall lighting ideas should be at the forefront of every kitchen renovation – the right wall lighting options can add contemporary style and practicality to your space.

While the kitchen's prime function is still cooking, it also serves as one of our main entertaining spaces, somewhere to relax with friends or for children to catch up on their homework. More than any other room in the house, it is crucial to invest in flexible kitchen lighting that can cope with every scenario and function. 

'Often, kitchen wall lighting can be the last thing considered in kitchen design,' says Andrew Hall, managing director of Woodstock Furniture. 'However, for a kitchen to look its best and function perfectly, the space must be lit properly.'  

Remember to plan well in advance with kitchen wall lighting. Experts agree that the best time to install a new wall lighting scheme is before you start to redecorate or during the initial stages of a new kitchen design, when you are still exploring a variety of kitchens.  

If left as an afterthought, wall lighting possibilities are limited, impact is lessened and mistakes can be costly and disruptive to put right.

BY JENNIFER EBERT. CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PIPPA BLENKINSOP