Kitchen Lighting Design – A Few Tips

Kitchen Lighting Design – A Few Tips

Planning the lighting for your kitchen isn’t just sticking in a ceiling light and calling it a day. There are many aspects to consider when making your kitchen a place where you and the family will enjoy spending time.

There are four main categories to consider when you start to plan your kitchen lighting design. These are Ambient lighting, Task lighting, Accent lighting, and Decorative lighting. So, let’s jump in and figure out what fits in where.

Ambient Lighting

This is the general lighting of your kitchen and the most basic of the four categories. The aim of this type of lighting is to find a comfortable level of overall brightness without glare. Depending on the aesthetic that you’re going for, ambient lighting can be created with wall fixtures, ceiling-mounted fixtures, or even table and floor lamps. Ambient lighting should serve as the central source of light and the rest of your lighting should be built around it. Consider this the foundation.

Task Lighting

This is fairly self-explanatory. Task lighting is functional and should provide light around areas that daily activities are performed. The most precise work that is performed in the kitchen happens on the countertops, so consider under-cabinet lighting. Simple LED soft strips can be used to light the insides of your drawers. Some down-lights in the right places can also make a big difference. Don’t only think “ceiling.”

Accent Lighting

Also called “Directional lighting,” this kitchen lighting design is used to enhance visually impressive features you might have in your kitchen. Think of architectural focal points you might want to draw extra attention to or decorative items like plants or sculptures that you’d like to draw some attention toward. But make sure you do it in a way where it doesn’t become the focal point but rather as a subtle draw of attention. It’s a bit of a “less-is-more” approach.

Decorative Lighting

Decorative items in your kitchen don’t have to be limited to just sculptures and plants etc. With the impressive designs now available to choose from, you can change the whole feel of your kitchen by choosing the right decorative lights. From industrial chic to a home-style kitchen, or even a modern-contemporary atmosphere, your only limit is your imagination.

Last, of all, all things considered, it’s never a bad idea to get a professional in to help out with some design ideas, so you can get that “just right” feel.

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