Kitchen Lighting Idea

Besides cooking and dining, a kitchen is often the hub of the house - a place for informal family gatherings; a place where children do their homework or a quiet niche to read the morning newspaper. It is essential that kitchen lighting design offers the right lighting options so that the kitchen appears aesthetic and functional.

Good kitchen lighting allows you to make best use of your multi-functional kitchen. A good kitchen lighting idea is to create multiple layers of light, for tasks, for ambience as well as highlight and accents.

Kitchen Lighting Design

Energy efficiency is an important factor that one should consider before planning kitchen lighting design. Large ceiling fixtures like fluorescent tubes can save money on energy bills, but they cast shadows over work areas. Hence it is better to add task lighting in the form of track lights. Under-cabinet lights covering two-thirds of the counter can be used to illuminate countertops.

For maximum energy efficiency, one can choose fluorescent fixtures and position them close to the front of the cabinet. Kitchen lighting ideas range from track lights and under-cabinet lights to surface- mounted spotlights, directional lights and dimmers.

Kitchen Island Lighting

Installing an island in your kitchen adds extra space and decorative interest. A kitchen island adds to work space, storage area and room for additional appliances. Right lighting is very important for a kitchen island. Good kitchen lighting adds value to the property while beautifying the kitchen. Kitchen island lighting must aid chopping and food preparation.

Kitchen lighting must allow you to move around space safely. You can make use of miniature track lights or strips of low voltage lights. Ambient lighting provides overall brighter illumination, sans shadows and contrasts. It offers a contemporary look that is best suited for modern houses. Bright task lighting effectively brightens the island for cooking or homework. Recessed lighting can help in bringing out the functionality of each kitchen space. You can use it to spotlight artwork or dramatic surfaces. Small halogen lights can be used with glass-fronted display cabinets.

Pendant kitchen lighting

Pendant lights add style and beauty to the kitchen’s décor. For a more appealing look, use two or three pendant lights in combination. These pendant lights can be used with a dimmer switch. A dimmer switch helps to lower the lights for entertaining guests or simply to create a charming mood. While there are many pendant lights available in the market, choose the style that suits your kitchen décor and budget. Mini pendants work wonders with kitchen islands and they can be positioned to form a stylish row of lights.

Kitchen lighting idea

You can consult a professional who is well aware of current trends in style, taste and décor while choosing the fixtures for kitchen lighting. Take along the plan of the kitchen that will give an idea about where you are going to have the kitchen island, counter tops and table. If possible take a few pictures of the kitchen taken at various angles to help him to select the fixtures.

He can guide you plan the kitchen and in areas like designing, placement, lighting and style coordination. There are some professional organizations like the American Lighting Association (ALA) who help consumers in planning and implementing kitchen designing and lighting.

• Decide lighting options according to the size of the kitchen. The size and layout of the kitchen is critical to deciding the kitchen lighting idea.
  
  
• The breakfast area must be well lit so as to allow reading. The kitchen table is a focal point of every kitchen. A chandelier adds style and glamour to your kitchen.
  
  
• Use task lighting for the main areas like the sink and counter table areas, so that you work comfortably.
  
  
• A pendant or chandelier fixture can be used to light it up brightly. By using a dimmer switch to control the light, you can use the lighting to change the mood while dining.
  
  
• Installing lights above and below the cabinets will enhance the effects. While the lights underneath the cabinet will highlight the counter top, lights above will illuminate your cabinets and they will also remove shadows from the kitchen.
  
  
• Special lighting can be provided if you have a computer or a T.V to avoid glare on the screen.
  
  
• Use dimmers for all the lights as they save on your energy bills.
  
  
• Using colored lights is a popular kitchen lighting idea. Care must be taken to use the same color for all the lights.
  
  
• Decorative lights that come in a number of finishes like wrought iron, rust and nickel are also popular.
  

Kitchen Ceiling Lighting

For a proper flow of light in the kitchen, there should a combination of lighting techniques. Kitchen ceiling lighting can provide indirect lighting from a central location. Such efficient lighting is ideal for utility areas. Ensure more lighting in kitchens with darker colors. Do not place the kitchen lighting such that there is no glare on the eyes.

You can install fluorescent tubes under wall cabinets so that shadows are not cast. Consider fitting down lighters into the ceiling to provide recessed ceiling lighting. Incorporate vital elements of good kitchen lighting and you can be the proud owner of an aesthetically designed and well illuminated kitchen.