Just as your body needs a healthy, balanced diet, your kitchen requires proper lighting. With the right balance of light, you can make a small, busy kitchen look bigger and less cluttered, dramatically alter its appearance, and introduce different layers of brightness.
For these reasons, invest in a lighting scheme which produces great task lighting, not to mention a welcoming, bright ambience. In case you’re looking for some great kitchen lighting tips, this post is just for you.
We’ll be discussing 6 top kitchen lighting ideas that you can’t afford to ignore if you want a well-lit and inviting kitchen space.
So let’s get started.
Top Kitchen Lighting Layouts Ideas
- Go for a Layered Look
Here’s the thing. No matter what, a single source of lighting can’t meet all your lighting needs in a kitchen. As a matter of fact, a well-lit kitchen space features these four types of lighting:
- Task Lighting – For best results, place task lighting between the cook’s head and the work surface. As the name suggests, this type of lighting makes it easier to carry out different tasks, such as reading recipes, cooking, and cutting veggies.
- Ambient Lighting – Wan to create a warm glow in your kitchen? Then go for ambient lighting. Which begs the question—where should install it? In case you don’t have ceiling-length kitchen cabinets, consider installing ambient lighting just on top of them. This will help create a warm glow to soften shadows.
- Accent Lighting – With the help of accent lighting, you can add depth and dimension to your cook’s room. Think low-voltage, adjustable, and recessed fixtures used for spotlighting artwork. Another great idea is to place fixtures within glass door cabinets for illuminating wedding china and glassware.
- Decorative Lighting – Add some sparkle and glamour to your kitchen by using ornamental lighting.
- Take the Floor Plan into Account
In case your house features a separate eat-in area and a formal dining space, that takes a bit of the pressure off lighting since there’re likely to many lighting sources.
You can opt for decorative or smaller lighting for the eat-in kitchen, as that will help not only anchor the table and chairs but also define the whole space. Pick something that gels well with pendants and chandeliers that you may have in other areas and also scales with your dining table.
As far as the ideal height is concerned, well, that depends mainly on the ceiling height. In small spaces, especially those that get some natural light, wall lights prove an ideal solution. If you want to give your modern kitchen design an industrial twist, consider installing stainless-steel or brass fixtures.
- Go for Smart Lighting Systems
Want the freedom to control your lighting remotely? Or at a touch of a button? Then opt for smart lighting systems. Their biggest advantage is the high level of control they offer. But, remember, they can be quite expensive.
- Opt for LED Lights
Did you know LED lights use 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last 8-10 times longer?
Since they last so long, they’re ideal for spaces where replacing a light bulb is anything but easy, such as recessed ceiling lights or floor uplighters. Also, LED bulbs are much easier to hide compared to fluorescents, and neither do they flicker. For these reasons, using LED lighting for kitchen is a great idea.
However, not all LED light bulbs are created equal. If you want your LED bulbs to emit balanced light, free of harmful blue light, opt for those with CRI90+ rating.
- Use Dimmers
Making use of dimmers in the kitchen space is an awesome idea, as they help you control the level of brightness as per your needs. While you need bright lights to perform various kitchen-related tasks, dim lights can set the tone for a cozy meal in the eat-in area.
Conclusion
The right balance of light in your kitchen can make it look bigger and more inviting, besides making it easier for you to carry out various kitchen-related tasks. With these 5 DIY kitchen lighting tips, you can easily create a welcoming, bright ambience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of lighting is best for kitchen?
Consider using the following four kinds of lighting: ambient lighting, task lighting, decorative lighting, and accent lighting.
- What is the best light bulb for kitchen?
You should always opt for LED light bulbs, since they last 8 to 10 times longer than normal bulbs. Their longevity makes them ideal for places where replacing bulb is not an easy thing. Also, unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs neither flicker nor do they take much time to warm up to their full level of brightness.
- How can I improve the lighting in my kitchen?
Kitchen is the last place in the house where you’d want to have a lousy light. This is where you have to deal with fire, sharp knives, and hungry people. Here are some tips to light up your too-dark kitchen:
- Use a mirror – Mirrors create an illusion of more light and space. If you don’t have one in your kitchen, the time is now.
- Hang a clamp lamp – If your overhead light is not up to the mark, a clamp lamp can make a world of difference, as you can hang it anywhere you need.
- Use pendant lights – OK, recessed lights look great. But if they are not sufficient to light up the eat-in area, it’s about time you replace them with pendant lights.
- Use bright bulbs – Last but not the least, go for brighter bulbs. Experts recommend at least 80-100 watts in the kitchen. As said earlier, go for LED bulbs as they consume less energy to emit as much light as conventional bulbs.
- How bright should a kitchen be?
Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the size of your kitchen and your preferences. That said, 80-100 watts should be enough to light up your kitchen efficiently.