As you design your dream kitchen, you want to make sure you put it in the right light. That means making sure that your lighting suits your kitchen’s design and layout. Of course, there is the functionality required for the lighting, as you prepare meals and maybe socialize with friends and family in this hub of activity, but you also want to make sure that the lighting creates a warm and welcoming ambiance whenever you use it, day or night, working alone or entertaining others. Here are some tips for you to help you light up your kitchen just right!
Have your kitchen layout done
Since the lighting you choose will be determined by your kitchen design, you should have your layout decided first. Will you need to light up a kitchen island? Are you planning on having one sink or two? Will there be a work area that doubles as a dining space where people will be sitting as you prepare a meal? How your kitchen works will help you make your lighting decision. And if you make any changes to that design, you may want to double check that the lighting suits them.
Make the most of natural light
If your kitchen has windows or an open floor plan that accesses areas that do, you should make sure to take advantage of the natural light available. This may save you on electricity costs during the day and could allow you to concentrate on lighting other areas. For the windows, you may want to think about what type of coverings you’ll need so you can control the lighting. And if you are planning for a skylight in your kitchen, you may want to have frosted panels or some way to control the amount of light you let in.
Do you need ambient light?
If you do not have much natural lighting, you may need to consider ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is general overhead lighting that illuminates an entire area. You can choose softer lighting to mimic natural lighting, although you may want something a little brighter, perhaps on a dimmer, for those times when you are preparing meals. Also, you should try to make sure that any ambient lighting scheme lights up the kitchen evenly.
Will you need task lighting?
Task lighting is just that, lighting for different tasks, or work areas. You may need it brighter over the stove and sink or in prep areas so you can see what you are doing as you cut and dice, cook and clean. This could be higher wattage lights in an exhaust hood or maybe LED strips under a cabinet to illuminate a countertop. It could also be a simple retractable lamp that you can easily maneuver to where you need more light.
Pendant and accent lights can show off your style
Pendant lighting can be both decorative and practical. They are fixtures that hang down to light up specific areas, often over a kitchen island or a central space. Accent lights typically are more decorative, as their name implies. You can position them to highlight certain areas of your kitchen. This could be recessed lighting to show off your fancy china plates or to accentuate an architectural feature or artwork.
You may want lights inside storage
While lighting your kitchen areas is essential, you may also want to think about lighting up the storage spaces as well. Will you be able to see into your cabinets or drawers with the room’s lighting? Or will some illumination inside these spaces help you find the spices, dishes, or utensils you need more easily? You can install fixtures that turn on and off when you open and close the doors or drawers, just like your refrigerator for even greater convenience.
Consider glare
Many modern kitchen appliances, both small and large, often have reflective surfaces, so you will need to consider this when deciding where to put lighting, as well as what type to use where. You do not want to turn on a light and create unsightly glares and reflections. Frosted bulbs, or ones with diffusers on the bottom, can help reduce or prevent such glares.
Take control with dimmers
Another thing to consider is how to control the lighting. You may want some fixtures to be on dimmers, while others, such as task lights, may be fine with on/off switches. Nevertheless, you do not want to have switches and slides all over the place, but you also want easy access and control in certain spots, such as by the stove and sink. Take some time to organize your switches so that you do not ever have to stumble in the dark in your dream kitchen.