Kitchen Lighting

All too often overlooked, lighting is an important component of any kitchen renovation project. Kitchen lighting helps set the mood for an enjoyable dining experience as well as perform the functional task of making food preparation easier.

Focus your lighting efforts on the primary areas of the kitchen and consider that the food preparation area, countertop, and dining areas require different lighting styles.

Lighting for you dining area should encourage conversation and mimic the design scheme of your kitchen. This is where you can get creative with dimmers and more decorative choices. Consider one or more pendant lights with dimmers over the kitchen table.

Lighting fixtures for food preparation areas must serve a more practical purpose and should reflect that while complementing the dining room. Consider under-cabinet task lighting to provide visibility over the countertop area and a series of pendant or recessed lights over the sink area.

Types of Lighting

Accent lighting - This type of lighting highlights specific elements of your kitchen. For example, accent lighting is a good tool for showing off china or glassware in a transparent cabinet. Use this type of lighting sparingly for a dramatic effect.

Task lighting - This type of lighting is specifically meant to put light where you need it most. Task lighting is important in areas such as over countertop, stove, and sink areas. Pendant lights are a good option because they hang directly above the task area. Adjustable track lighting is another good option because it can be directed over a workspace.

Ambient lighting - This type of lighting is basic and used as general-purpose lighting. Track lights installed over your cabinetry are a form of ambient lighting. This is an indirect form of light that creates a warm feeling and also a sense of height as it reflects from the ceiling.

Mood/Decorative - Sometimes a kitchen needs personality and character. Certain types of lighting like sconces and chandeliers are purely decorative. This type of lighting is important to your kitchen because it provides color and sophistication that can add to and help define your kitchen's style!