While it takes art and science, lighting your kitchen need not be complicated. In fact, there are many ways to light the kitchen. You just have to know which are more appropriate for your kitchen and which are not. Below are the basics.
CONSIDER THE SPACE
Before you even plan to light your kitchen, look at all the fixtures there. Take note of their placements. Also, consider the color, size, look, texture, and layout of the kitchen. How high is the ceiling? How dark are the finishes? How much natural light does it receives? Your answers to these questions will guide you in choosing the proper lighting systems.
Again, take a second look at your kitchen. What’s the prominent color? If there are darker colors than lighter one, you’ll be needing more sources of light. A dark-colored kitchen needs one-third more light than a light-colored kitchen. That’s because dark colors absorb more light.
INSTALL TASK LIGHTING FIRST
Essentially, you need to put the task lighting before you put any other lighting systems. The important places to put it are the cooking surfaces, over the counters and at the sink. Any surface that will be used for specific tasks must have task lighting, too. The light should be around 30 inches above the island or peninsula.
INSTALL AMBIENT LIGHTING
Although there are task lights, the recessed lighting must be able to light the entire kitchen. These ambient lights must be between 24 to 42 inches apart for general illumination.
USE FUNCTIONAL FIXTURES
If you are going to install new fixtures, make it functional ceiling sculptures that hold different kinds of lights. Monorail systems can be shaped into curves and can be installed even on unleveled ceilings. The monorail itself is available in various shapes, materials and colors so you need not compromise the kitchen’s overall design. Alternatively, you may consider putting adjustable pendant lights.
CHOOSE STYLISH ACCENT LIGHTING
There must be a design coherence within the home. With this in mind, be mindful of your choices of accent lights. They don’t just fill voids, but also add visual interest to the place while providing illumination. A vintage-style lantern-type lighting can drama and personality to your kitchen.
MIX AND MATCH THE LIGHTING
Nowadays, the secret is layering. Create a warm and cozy kitchen by combining various light sources particularly those that you can control independently. The entire kitchen may feature pendant lights, ambient lights, accent lights, spotlight, sconces, etc. Just make sure the combined effect is glowing, not glaring.
ADD A DIMMER
Kitchen lighting does not necessarily mean more lights, but rather more flexible lights. To make the overall lighting system more functional, make sure there are dimmer switches. With dimming functionality, the lights would be able to serve their functions best. Also, you can instantly change the current mood with a dimmer.
Look for the most practical kitchen lighting solutions. The kitchen is not only for preparing food. So, install lighting that perfectly aligns for the intended purpose. You can never go wrong with that.
This post is written by Raphael Zamora, a Filipino Blogger and Freelance Writer that blogs for Arca South. The newest central business and lifestyle district south of the metro, Taguig City.