The Proper Design For Kitchen Lighting
Layering Your Kitchen Lighting
Layering the lighting in your kitchen has become a pretty common phrase in the lighting industry, but what exactly does it mean? To start, there are three general light types that should be implemented into every kitchen to ensure usability and safety. These three types are ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.
To properly layer the lighting within your kitchen, you want to start your lighting design with the general type which is ambient lighting. Next, you will use task lighting to brighten areas that the ambient lighting doesn’t reach properly. Finally, implement accent lighting to add a sense of depth and style to your favorite kitchen elements. If you have any questions or concerns about the layering of your current kitchen lighting or how to create a proper lighting design, contact our lighting specialists at The Light House Gallery today!
Ambient Lighting
As mentioned above, the lighting type you want to begin with is ambient or general lighting. This lighting type is the one that you can probably find in every room in the house. It simply provides an overall light to brighten up the entire room. In most cases, ambient lighting is placed on the ceiling.
There are a few things to take into consideration when installing ambient lighting in your kitchen.
- How much natural light do you receive in your kitchen?
- Which direction does the natural light come from?
- Are you looking to replace existing fixtures?
- Do you need to have new wiring placed to install new fixtures?
You will want to ensure that you are complimenting any natural light and placing your ambient lighting fixtures appropriately. If you are looking to install a very specific ambient lighting fixture, you will want to double check that the proper wiring is available. If it is not, be sure that is resolved before going any further into choosing or installing your new ambient lighting in case changes need to be made. If you are unsure about which ambient lighting would best fit your kitchen, contact our team of lighting design specialists at The Light House Gallery today!
Task Lighting
Once you have your ambient lighting in place, it is time to choose your task lighting. While starting with ambient is vital, task lighting is something that should not be overlooked, especially in the kitchen. Your kitchen is most generally used as a workspace to prepare and cook food. If you are not able to see what you are doing while accomplishing these everyday tasks, you are putting yourself at risk for frustration and injury.
You are able to use some fun and creativity when designing your task lighting, depending on your kitchen layout and how you, personally, use the workspace. The following are a few common surfaces and spaces within a kitchen that you may need to utilize task lighting:
- Countertops
- Stoves
- Sinks
- Islands
- Cabinets
- Drawers
Beyond the list above, you should install task lighting for any space or surface within your kitchen that is susceptible to pesky shadows from your ambient lighting or are just simply too dark to efficiently and safely complete tasks. Contact our lighting specialists today for more information about task lighting in your kitchen!
Accent Lighting
Now that you have all the vital parts of your kitchen lit, it is time to add some accent lighting. This lighting type is a simple way to add elegance and style to your kitchen. We know that you have worked hard to implement your style and personality into the design of your kitchen. With the proper accent lighting, you can enhance that design to ensure that everyone takes notice.
Accent lighting can also be used to create a certain mood in your kitchen. While the room used to be strictly for making food, over the years, kitchens have become a place where families bond and memories are made. Continue reading to learn more about the different uses of accent lighting in the kitchen.
- Visual Interests
- Do you have a favorite element in your kitchen that you want everyone to notice? This could be a piece of artwork on the wall, decorative shelving or cabinets with display pieces, or an architectural part of your kitchen design. No matter what it might be in your kitchen, our lighting specialists can help you choose the best accent lighting to illuminate those visual interests.
- Decorative
- Using lighting fixtures as your kitchen decor is an age-old trick that has conformed over the years to fit the newest trends. From pieces with hundreds of thousands of crystals to modern and abstract pieces, you can create or compliment the style of your kitchen with decorative accent lighting. These pieces can double as visual interest lighting when you want to highlight larger kitchen items, such as islands, peninsulas, or tables.
- Practical
- While most accent lighting is used to highlight and draw attention to your favorite items or spaces in the kitchen, some are implemented to enhance the practicality of your kitchen. One major area that practical accent lighting is utilized is with toe kick lighting beneath the lower cabinets. This will not only add style and depth to your kitchen, but they will also help prevent injuries.
Looking for a very specific accent light? Shop all of our lighting fixtures online today or stop by our Branson or Springfield locations to view them in person and visit with one of our lighting specialists!
A Deeper Dive Into Kitchen Lighting Fixtures
Now that you have an idea of the proper way to approach the lighting design within your kitchen, we want to take a deeper look into the different lighting fixtures that fit into each layer of your kitchen lighting. One thing to keep in mind when designing your kitchen lighting is that some types of fixtures fit into multiple types of lighting categories, depending on how they are used.
Not sure which fixtures would work best to accomplish the lighting effects that you are looking for in your kitchen? Our friendly and knowledgeable lighting specialists at The Light House Gallery are here to help you. Contact us today or visit us at our Branson or Springfield locations!
Ambient Lighting Fixtures
Recessed Lighting
Trending today, recessed lighting fixtures offer a clean, modern and contemporary look. These fixtures are known for evenly and broadly dispersing light.
Flush and Semi-Flush Mounts
Both flush and semi-flush mounts work well to illuminate kitchens, especially those that have lower ceilings or when you are wanting to pair them with other fixtures.
Pendants
While pendant fixtures are normally used for task lighting, they can work well to provide ambient lighting when installed properly in kitchens with ceilings ten feet or higher.
Chandeliers
Much like pendants, chandelier fixtures can bring light down from high ceilings to provide ambient light in addition to adding a decorative, stylish piece to your kitchen.
Track Lighting
When you are looking for a more industrial look, specific track lighting fixtures can be used to create an ambient illumination of light in the kitchen that is gentle on eyes
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Most don’t think of using under-cabinet lighting to provide a kitchen with ambient light. However, they add a soft, cozy feeling to a kitchen when just a little light is needed.
Task Lighting Fixtures
Pendants
Task pendant fixtures are used to bring light down to focus on a specific workspace. They are often used above bars or islands as well as above the sink, depending on the specific look you are going for.
Recessed Downlights
Placing recessed downlights above countertops and other work surfaces provides light directed down on a specific workspace. Be sure to take into account how these will mesh with your ambient lighting.
Sconces
Sconce fixtures are extremely versatile as you can find ones that direct light up or down. These work well as task lighting over sinks, in walk-in pantries, as well as in dark pathways or hallways attached to your kitchen.
LED Light Strips
As a newer task lighting fixture, LED light strips have changed the game. You will often find these used under cabinets to light up countertops as well as inside cabinets and drawers to help you find needed items.
Puck Lights
While normally used as an accent light, puck lights are small, round fixtures that can be used similarly to LED light strips. Many use puck lights in the corners beneath cabinets where light strips don’t fit properly.
Dimmers
While not a lighting fixture in and of itself, installing dimmers for your task lighting fixtures will elevate your kitchen lighting experience as they allow you to change the light’s brightness, depending on the task at hand.
Accent Lighting Fixtures
LED Light Strips
Accent lighting is where LED light strips really flourish. These light strips provide a soft glow under lower cabinets as toe kicking lighting, inside glass or open cabinets, and along the edge of display shelves.
Puck Lights
Small puck lights are commonly added inside glass or open cabinetry to accentuate display pieces such as unique dishware or knick knacks. Puck lights can also be used under the edge of countertops.
Chandeliers
With a wide variety to choose from, chandelier fixtures can fit into just about every kitchen design. Using everything from small crystals to large glass globes, they create a stylish feature above tables and islands.
Pendants
Much like chandeliers, pendants can be found in every shape and size. The modern, abstract designs create a piece of artwork in themselves, while the more traditional or rustic designs add their own touch of style.
Sconces
Sconces can be found with crystals, glass or fabric shades, as well as in completely unique, contemporary designs. These fixtures can add an element of style above sinks, in walkways, or on either side of a display shelf.
Track Lighting
When placed correctly, track lighting can create a spotlight to be shown on a single piece of artwork hanging on the wall as well as multiple points of focused lights for larger display shelves that are full of treasured items.
More About The Light House Gallery
At The Light House Gallery, our team is solely focused on residential lighting, specifically, so that we can be masters in the industry. With almost 60 years in the business, our lighting specialists have extensive knowledge of not only the different types of lighting fixtures, but lighting design, interior design, and all the latest lighting trends to ensure that we’ll be able to offer you customer service that exceeds your expectations.
Whether you are looking for a complete lighting design for your kitchen or just want to add a small accent light, The Light House Gallery has got you covered. Contact us today to learn more about specific lighting designs, fixtures, and tips for your kitchen lighting. Shop all of our lighting fixtures online today or stop by our Branson or Springfield locations to see them in person!