How to make a kitchen cosy

[GorgeousLadyofWrestling]

We’re hopefully purchasing a property as FTB. It’s not a wreck but it massively needs updating. The kitchen is functional but not very nice. It’s last on our list of priorities though so will be about 18 months before we come to it/ can afford.

It currently has one fluorescent strip light on the ceiling. I’m quite sensitive to bright light - in the evenings, we exclusively have lamps on in the living area over ceiling lights. Our current rental has one lightsaber bulb on the ceiling and that under cabinet strip lighting - which somehow makes it bright but also cosy.

Just wondering if there’s anything we can do cheapish to the kitchen to reduce that bright but shadowy/ depressing atmosphere it has going on right now. Probably not the best articulated description - I’m completely new to interior design/ kitchens/ DIY.

Sorry should have said - the reason it’s on my mind is I work transatlantic and have quite a lot of weekly calls in the evening. The kitchen is the best place to have those call - no room for a home office, sadly!

I think there are battery operated lights you can attach to the bottom of wall cabinets to illuminate the work surfaces.

If you want to the change the light fitting on the ceiling, it wouldn't take an electrician/handy man very long so should be very inexpensive. Or you could DIY it.