Light is one of the core elements of interior design. It can be natural or artificial. Striking a good balance between the two is crucial because it helps set the mood, create depth and height, draw attention to your favorite areas and create a warm and cozy ambiance in a space. Surprisingly, this is particularly true in the kitchen.
The kitchen is the command center of almost any household- a space that meets the needs of every occupant of a home. In light of that, good lighting is vital to enhancing functionality. Proper lighting can also transform a small room dull into a space that sets the standard for the rest of your house. In this blog, we will look at different types of lighting and your kitchen lighting needs to make it seem more appealing and bigger.
Types of Lighting in the Design
Since natural light is not always available, you can use other types of lighting -artificial lighting- to create a welcoming and functional space.
• Accent lighting: Also known as highlighting, it focuses light on a specific area or object. In other words, it puts particular elements, such as bookshelves or artwork, in a space in the spotlight. It also adds aesthetical value and can help influence your room’s ambiance.
• Task lighting: It is a type of lighting that provides a focused beam of light for a specific purpose, such as cooking, reading, or other intricate work.
• Ambient/general lighting: It provides the overall glow to a room. That means it creates enough light for visibility and to move around comfortably and safely. In some instances, it can be used as task lighting. Lots of elements, depending on how they are used to make up a room’s general lighting. For instance, table lamps and wall scones can make up the ambient lighting of a place.
Kitchen Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
• Over lighting: Good lighting is indispensable. According to interior design experts, color temperatures ranging between 3,000k-4,000k k are ideal for kitchens. However, anything above 4000k can be too harsh and cause discomfort, such as headaches and anxiety.
• Forgetting to layer the light: Most people rely solely on ambient lighting and overlook the other types of light-task and accents. However, it’s always recommended to layer light to eliminate unwanted shadows. Also, light layering helps you choose which kind of light you’d like to use when you don’t need a fully lit kitchen.
• Using the wrong color temperature: Getting the right temperature can profoundly impact your kitchen use. Even though the light color choices are subjective, familiarizing yourself with the Kelvin Scale can help you select a color tone that complements your kitchen needs.
For instance, the color temperatures range from 1,000k-10,000k. The lower the number, the warmer the tones come through; the higher the number, the cooler the colors appear. Typically, a kitchen requires a bright light with cool tones such as white. That said, a scale ranging from 3,000k-4,000k is suitable for kitchens.
Popular Styles of Lights
Whether you are contemplating a kitchen remodel or refreshing your kitchen lighting, here are the most popular lighting styles that will transform your cooking space.
- Recessed lighting: These are installed directly in the wall or ceiling. This lighting style offers a clean look and is used for ambient lighting. It can also highlight counter areas, island bars, or stovetops. They are ideal for kitchens with limited ceiling space or where a more prominent light fixture would be obtrusive.
- Pendants: These versatile fixtures are mounted to the ceiling and drop down on a chain or rod. They can provide great surface lighting that serves as dramatic mood lighting while offering both ambient light and task light.
- Table Lamps: Often associated with the bedroom and living room, a table lamp can also be used in the kitchen if it does not get in the way when preparing or cooking. Its cozy glow cast can transform a busy kitchen area into a calming one. In addition, getting a portable one allows for flexibility and freedom of movement, particularly in a busy kitchen.
- Cabinet lighting: These can be used as both task and accent lighting. As the name suggests, light is installed under or inside the cabinet. Under-cabinet lighting entails focused light fixtures such as LED that offer task lighting around the prep area, sinks, and countertops. On the other hand, in-cabinet lighting can be used to highlight a collection kept inside glass or open cabinetry.
- Track lighting: This light fixture offers a series of lights fitted on a track or rail from a single power source. Task lights can be used as both task and ambient lights. It’s also a highly customizable lighting option that adds style and functionality to a kitchen.
Let the Experts help!
Are you looking for inspiration or need help with getting everything appropriately lit? Then, get the job done right with a professional electrician at JDP! As the leading electrical contractors in Fargo-Moorhead residential, commercial, and industrial areas, we always take pride in our unmatched skill in electrical service.
Here is why we are your go-to experts for your next project:
• Dedicated service and proven excellence since 1999
• Equipped with advanced testing tools to locate electrical issues and ensure proper power and safety
Contact us today for more details.