Light over the sink
A dedicated sink light on its own switch is useful early and late in the day. We add one where the ceiling or soffit allows.
Serving Aurora & nearby Batavia, Warrenville
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Aurora, IL
Recessed, pendant and under-cabinet lighting for Aurora kitchens, laid out so the counters are bright and wired by a licensed electrician.
- Crews working in Aurora ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Kitchen lighting problems we solve in Aurora
A single fixture in the center of the ceiling leaves you working in your own shadow. Our Aurora electricians replace it with lights placed over the counters, the sink and the island, using LED fixtures that suit your ceiling and wiring.
Recessed lights under an insulated attic
Fixtures in a ceiling with insulation above must be IC-rated, meaning they can touch insulation safely. Airtight models also keep warm air from leaking into the attic.
One old fixture lighting the whole kitchen
A single dome or flush fixture can't light a whole kitchen evenly. We replace it with a layout of recessed or surface LEDs across the ceiling.
LEDs that flicker or buzz on the dimmer
Flickering LEDs are usually a dimmer mismatch. We replace the control with one rated for the fixtures on that switch.
Pendants over the island
Two or three pendants, or one long linear fixture, are common over an island. We place the boxes so the lights line up with the island, not the old ceiling layout.
Visible LED dots and glare under the cabinets
If your under-cabinet lights glare off the stone, we swap them for diffused LEDs and add a light rail where needed to hide them.
Light that looks too blue or too yellow
If your new LEDs look clinical, the color is likely too cool. We pick fixtures in a warmer range and with good color rendering.
Under-cabinet lighting: hardwired or plug-in?
Hardwired LED strips run from a wall switch with the driver hidden in a cabinet, and the wiring disappears. Plug-in kits are simpler but leave a cord to an outlet.
What we do on the job
- Lighting layoutWe mark where each light goes and which switch controls it.
- Wiring and circuit checkWe confirm the lighting circuit can carry the new fixtures.
- Old fixtures removedFluorescent boxes, old cans and outdated fixtures taken down and wiring made safe.
- Ceiling openings and boxesOpenings cut cleanly and pendant boxes secured to framing.
- Fixtures installedEach fixture hung, leveled and wired.
- Testing and adjustmentWe run each circuit and fine-tune before leaving.
- Patching and cleanupWe close up openings and clean the work area.
Materials and finishes
Color temperature optionsLEDs in a consistent, warm color with good rendering.
Pendants and linear fixturesSingle, paired or grouped pendants and long linear lights over islands and peninsulas.
Under-cabinet LEDTask lighting aimed straight at the counters.
Recessed lightingCanless LED wafers or housings with LED trims, IC-rated where insulation is present.
Dimmers and controlsControls that let you set each layer separately.
Kitchens like yours in Aurora: before and after
Before
AfterAn Aurora two-story colonial from the 1990s: before and after
This one is a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Palace Street. What we started with: a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. The reason for the call: an old fluorescent box that flickered. After: recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips on separate switches. On site this meant lighting layout, wiring and circuit check, plus testing and adjustment.
Before
AfterBefore and after: a two-story colonial from the 1990s in Warrenville
The site: a two-story colonial from the 1990s near Fox Hollow. The kitchen as it was: a brass chandelier over the nook. The reason for the call: one ceiling fixture lighting the whole room. The result: two glass pendants and recessed lights on separate switches. On site this meant wiring and circuit check, ceiling openings and boxes, plus testing and adjustment.
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Warrenville →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Naperville
A 1980s two-story near Downtown Naperville, a typical kitchen for Naperville. Before: two hanging glass pendants. The main complaint was dim counters despite the ceiling lights. The result: black cage pendants and slim recessed lights on separate switches. The job covered wiring and circuit check, fixtures installed, plus patching and cleanup.
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Naperville →
Before
AfterAurora kitchen, two-story colonial from the 1990s: kitchen remodeling
Cabinets in white uppers and deep green lowers with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, warm walnut butcher block counters, a green zellige-look tile backsplash, warm oak luxury vinyl plank flooring and recessed lights and under-cabinet LED strips.
Kitchen Remodeling in Aurora →
Before
AfterAn Aurora 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Aurora →Day by day
- Share photos and plansSend photos of the kitchen, the ceiling and any fixtures you've picked.
- Layout visitWe check the ceiling type, joists, insulation and wiring, and mark fixture positions.
- Written estimateAn itemized estimate listing fixtures, wiring, switches, patching and any permit.
- Install and testFixtures wired and mounted, dimmers set, ceiling patched and everything tested.
Kitchen Lighting Installation questions from Aurora homeowners
What's the best lighting for a small kitchen?
Layers matter more than size: a few recessed or surface lights, under-cabinet strips and maybe one pendant. Light-colored fixtures help the room feel bigger.
What color temperature is best for a kitchen?
Warm white around 2700 to 3000K is the most common choice. Some owners prefer a slightly cooler task light under cabinets.
How much does kitchen lighting installation cost?
A few recessed lights and a full layered plan with pendants and under-cabinet lighting are priced very differently. You get a line-item quote first.
Can you install fixtures I already bought?
Yes. Many owners pick their own fixtures and we handle the wiring and mounting.
How long does recessed lighting installation take?
Adding a set of recessed lights to an existing ceiling often takes a day. Bigger layouts with pendants, under-cabinet lights and patching take longer.
What does Aurora ask for on electrical work?
City tests electrical contractors (ICC Standard Residential/Master Electrician accepted in lieu of testing). Electrical work over $500 requires a licensed Electrical Contractor, even for owner-occupants. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Do I need a Aurora-registered contractor for kitchen lighting project?
Contractors must be registered/licensed with the City (application, required testing if applicable, proof of insurance naming the City as additional insured). Homeowners may act as own contractor if owner-occupied 6+ months with a Homeowner Liability Waiver. We take care of that before work starts.
Aurora building permit for kitchen lighting project: where do I apply?
Permits go through Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora, phone (630) 256-3130. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a permit for kitchen lighting project in Aurora?
It depends on the scope. Aurora's rule in short: Interior remodels, structural changes and interior plumbing always need a permit; electrical/mechanical may. We handle the permit when one is needed with Division of Building and Permits, City of Aurora.
Do you work in my part of Aurora?
Yes. Our crews work across Aurora, including Near Eastside, Tanner, Riddle Highlands, Palace Street — ZIP 60506, 60502, 60505, 60504, 60503 — and nearby Batavia, Warrenville, Naperville.
Working in Aurora
- A lot of Aurora kitchens date from the 1990s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Aurora homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
Near EastsideTannerRiddle HighlandsPalace StreetWest SideFar East Side
ZIP 60506ZIP 60502ZIP 60505ZIP 60504ZIP 60503
Kitchen Lighting Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Aurora
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen Backsplash InstallationTile backsplashes with clean lines and flush outlets.