Kitchen Lighting

Proper lighting in the kitchen is especially important. You need to be able to see what you're doing, especially with a sharp knife. Since the kitchen is also a gathering place for friends and family, proper lighting can also set a relaxing and inviting tone to your kitchen. There are two layers of lighting that are needed in the kitchen, ambient lighting and task lighting. On some occasions, a third layer, accent lighting, may also be desired.

Kitchen lighting can be tricky. With all of the cabinets, shelves, islands, and appliances, getting sufficient light into every corner can be a challenge.

Ambient lighting is the overall lighting of the room. It illuminates the room, and sets the mood of the room. Generally, ambient lighting in a kitchen is provided from ceiling lighting fixtures rather than wall mounted fixtures, since most wall space is taken up by cabinets and shelving. Generally 1-2 lighting fixtures will be sufficient for ambient lighting. If you have a low ceiling in your kitchen, then recessed lighting fixtures may be your best option. If your ceiling is higher, you may want hanging fixtures to bring the light a little closer.

You'll want to choose lighting that matches the mood you want in your kitchen. Do you want the warmth of incandesent lighting, or do you want a cooler flourescent light? Keep in mind, also, that incandesent lights put out more heat than flourescents, so if the heat in your kitchen is a problem, you may want to choose flourescent lighting. You'll also want to choose fixtures that match your decor. Brushed nickel lighting fixtures may look great, but they won't fit in with a country or cottage decor. So keep in mind your decor when you're looking at light fixtures.

Task lighting focuses on specific areas, such as counters, sinks, and tables. Basically, the areas where you'll be doing the most work in the kitchen. Task lighting is usually close to the work area, so as to provide the maximum amount of light. To light counters, you can find small lights that mount under the cabinets, and provide light to your work area. For other areas of the kitchen, directional and spot lights may be mounted on the ceiling to direct light to specific areas, so that you can see what you're doing. Ceiling mounted directional and spot lights can also be moved, to direct the light where it is needed, without the need for several lighting fixtures.

Accent lighting draws attention to specific areas of the kitchen. It can be used to accent architectural details, artwork, or collectibles. Accent lighting is usually used in other areas of the house, not the kitchen. But you may have a shelf of decorative jars or oils that you want to show off, or a vintage poster. In this case, small directional lights mounted on the ceiling can be used to draw attention to these certain areas.

When you're ready to start remodeling your kitchen, keep the lighting in mind. Proper lighting will help turn your kitchen from a simple food preparation area to a showpiece of your home.