How to choose the best kitchen lighting starts with considering your kitchen layout and then deciding on a lighting style. But that’s just for starters. We’ll walk you through your options so you can choose what’s right for your cooking space.
The challenge: Your kitchen, often the heart of your home, deserves to have its very own spotlight. Getting the size of your kitchen bathed in natural light is idealistic, but it’s not applicable to everyone’s architectural layout.
Before you start remodeling or revamping your kitchen on a whim, spend some time thinking strategically about how to illuminate with cabinet lights and semi-flush mount lighting fixtures to create a well-lit and inviting kitchen design.
Here’s how to select the best lighting for your corner of culinary delights:
1. Consider Your Kitchen Layout
Before you start browsing kitchen lighting ideas, it’s important to evaluate your kitchen layout.
As we mention in our article Small Kitchen Remodel Ideas, the size and shape of your room can drastically impact the light distribution in the space. Rather than simply relying on measurements, consider how both natural and artificial light can be harnessed optimally depending on these factors.
For example, is your space more suited for pendant lights or recessed lighting? Should cabinet lights or track lights be incorporated under overhead cabinets to focus light onto areas where chopping or mixing might occur?
All of this starts with an effective plan and a deep understanding of space constraints, which ensures that you can create a functional, productive cooking area.
2. Be Mindful of Power Output
The brightness of your kitchen lighting depends on the lumens output, not just the wattage. The average kitchen needs about 3500 to 5500 lumens of ambient light, which translates to about 35 lumens per square foot.
Pick your lighting fixtures based on the lumen output, not wattage. For task lighting in specific work areas, aim for 70 lumens per square foot. This way, you get enough bright light but keep things energy efficient.
As an example, LED strip lights under cabinets should give 200-500 lumens per foot for effective task lighting.
3. Decide on a Lighting Style
When it comes to lighting your kitchen, don’t just focus on what needs to be lit but also on how it should be lit. Look through kitchen magazines and browse online inspiration galleries and catalogs to see which lighting styles stand out to you.
Think about the type of light bulbs you want to use in your kitchen – Brighter? Warmer? Consider the color temperature for the best results, so it isn’t too “cold” or “hot.”
If there’s a particular color or material that speaks to your personality, then incorporate it into your plan as a way of adding that something special.
4. Be Creative!
Go beyond traditional white bulbs by trying different colored lights that work together to create interesting patterns or effects. Various color temperatures and intensities of light can help delineate tasks or areas while accentuating your kitchen’s overall design.
From cool blues that convey a serene atmosphere to warmer shades for a more inviting setting, there are plenty of ways to add flair and taste to any area.
Whether it’s showcasing your new kitchen countertop or adding interest to the dining table, lights can enhance certain focal points and make them into engaging topics.
Lighting angles also have an impact on your kitchen space. For example, recessed lighting installed at strategic paintings can produce both task and accent lighting. Sometimes, merely experimenting with something unconventional can produce amazing results, so get creative.
5. Install Professionally
While it’s tempting to hang that new pendant light or install those cabinet lights yourself, professional installation is key for both safety and aesthetics. Here’s why: Electrical work can be tricky and even dangerous if you’re not fully confident in your skills.
6. Layer Your Lighting
Layering the lighting in your kitchen can transform an ordinary room into an extraordinary space. You see, layering lighting means you employ more than just one type of light source to create a balance and enhance the overall mood of your kitchen.
So, how do we go about this? Consider these three main types of lighting:
– Ambient light: These are typically ceiling lights that provide overarching illumination for your entire kitchen space.
– Task lighting: This type of lighting comes into play in high-activity areas like your sink, stove, or cutting board, where you’ll need a brighter source to carry out kitchen tasks safely and accurately. Under-cabinet lights are very effective options for task lights.
– Accent Lighting: This is the jewelry of your kitchen design – it highlights certain features you want to draw everyone’s eyes. It could be over-the-land pendant lights or scones on either side of a beautiful painting or accent wall. The idea is to draw attention and create a visual interest that breaks up the monotony of ambient lighting.
7. Choose Energy-Efficient LED Lights
Around 10% of a typical home’s electricity use comes from lighting. So, switching to LED lights can be smart, as they’re almost 75% more energy-efficient and give off a bright light just like regular bulbs.
Saving power isn’t the only good thing about LED lights. These lights outlast traditional bulbs too, meaning you’ll spend less money on replacements. To put it in perspective, your typical 16-watt LED bulb gives off as much light as a conventional 100-watt one but sips less energy.
For example, an average LED bulb uses roughly 140kWh yearly compared to a usual bulb that burns up close to 876kWh.
Light Up Your Kitchen!
The heart of your home deserves the best lighting it can get. From planning to installing, choosing kitchen lighting should not just be about providing enough light to illuminate the space. It is also a chance to express your personality and style and to create an inviting and functional environment.
Make good use of both natural and artificial sources of light in your kitchen. You can always strike the right balance between functionality and style; all you need is some smart planning and attention to detail.
Note: Home Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with pros in your area.
Main Photo Credit: Allison / Adobe Stock Free / License
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