Surface and track kitchen lighting ideas are mostly categorised as general lighting. Surface lights are uneventful, but track lighting can get interesting. Track lighting can be focused on different subjects and be classified as accent, or task lighting as well. See the Kitchen Lighting Picture Gallery for examples of all the kitchen lighting in action.

Track lighting has gotten a lot more designer than it used to be,  there are many more choices these days. Where do you put track lighting? Well you put track lighting any where you want, over islands, in the middle of the kitchen for general lighting, or along a bank of cabinets for task lighting.

The only limitations to the placing of monorail, or track lighting is the height of the ceiling. 8' or lower cielings can be a problem unless the fixtures are over tables, and penninsulas and such. Recessed can lights do well in a low ceiling for general lighting.

Track lighting can be a combo of pendants and surface directional  lights. See the picture below of suspended track lighting with pendant track lighting mixed together. LED Directional lights, and Pendants for track, and monorail are becoming more available.

There is line voltage track lighting that is hung like any other surface mount light, and there is low voltage track lighting. The low voltage track, or monorail  lighting gets a little more designer with small xenon halogen, or LED bulbs. Low voltage can be monorail, or two wires that the light hangs from. For more info on monorail see the Monorail in the Kitchen article. There is a web site that sells only monorail that has lots of guides to help.

 Monorail Track Lighting Picture                              Low voltage wire lights

                                                                                  Line voltage unit

For Surface and Track kitchen lighting ideas it is best to visit some online stores and local showrooms.