Many say that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Not only is it a space where meals are created- it’s where friends, families, and loved ones meet to nourish their bodies and discuss their days.
Now, imagine the value of the kitchen if you were to remodel it. Whether your budget range is small or large, or you’re replacing the backsplash or gutting the whole kitchen, these immediate changes can make a dynamic impact.
Let’s chat about the subject of kitchen lighting. As the kitchen is the hub of the home, it’s surprising that lighting becomes such an afterthought when remodeling the space.
We’ve found that lighting is one of the most frequently ignored design features! In actuality, lighting should be an integral and focused design piece. Lighting is essential to remodeling, as it adds layers, depth, and function to a kitchen.
Join us as we take an ILLUMINATED journey through the layers of lighting possibilities for your kitchen.
For now, let’s talk about three primary types of lighting:
- Ambient
- Task
- Accent
Good lighting design is a dance between science, engineering, and art. While there is no right way to light a kitchen, there are many ineffective ways to go about it. An interplay between light and finishes sets an ambiance as unique as each individual.
Ambient Lighting: Base Lighting
As indicated by the name, this is the general lighting in a room.
Ambient lighting fixtures include:
- Chandeliers
- Track Lighting
- Pendant Lights
- Ceiling Lights
- Candelier
- Pendant Lighting
Many kitchens and most other rooms are often designed with only ambient light. When one relies only on ambient light, sometimes, space can appear dull or dark. Think of ambient lighting as the base lighting of your home.
Task Lighting: The 2nd Layer
Task lighting is for….You guessed it, specific tasks. For example, adding light is needed when using a sharp knife in the kitchen to avoid accidents.
Task lighting fixtures include:
- Under the countertop lights
- Vent hood lighting
- Ceiling light over a sink
Most vent hoods will provide task lighting for the cooktop. In addition, careful placement of ceiling lights can provide task lighting in their immediate downcast.
Note: A common mistake is to place lights too far back from the work area, causing a shadow.
Lighting under the upper cabinets can contribute to task lighting on the countertop. You will like your kitchen much more if you can see what you are doing as you cook and clean. Knowing that we need much more light as we age is essential. A 60-year-old needs three times more light than a 20-year-old does.
Accent Lighting – 3rd Layer
Get CREATIVE! Accent lighting sets the atmosphere and mood in a room. It can also highlight certain features in your kitchen or conceal unpleasant design elements.
Accent lighting fixtures include:
- Wall sconces
- Can lights & up-lights
- Ceiling lights
- Inside cabinet lights
Accent lighting can be provided by placing lights above, in, or under cabinets. It can be lighting directed onto a piece of artwork.
Natural Lighting
Of course, the ideal light is natural. However, it requires considerations such as direction and shading. For example, an unobstructed eastern or western window can cause unwanted morning or afternoon glare. Here in the Brazos Valley, that can lead to excessive heat gain.
People love skylights and solar tubes; however, they can provide excessive heat gain. While placing them on north-sloping roofs will help some, the heat reduction is not significant.
Remodeling is a great time to consider enlarging or adding well-placed windows in the kitchen. Unfortunately, this often means eliminating some upper cabinets. While removing cabinet space is never a desired outcome, the reward can be worth it. Upper cabinets are shallow and don’t provide much storage, so lost storage can often be picked up elsewhere. In addition, large windows that connect the kitchen to the great outdoors can make the space much more cheerful.
Now that you have enlarged or added a window, you want to be mindful of what you place outside that window. Let your windows frame a beautiful setting. A bird feeder can provide wonder to the drudgery of washing the dishes. A flowering bush can perfume the air through that window when opened.
Lastly, don’t let the final decisions and the multitude of options overwhelm you! Your way is the best, and we’d love to offer our guidance + expertise to help you along the way. For example, please look at one of our recent kitchen remodels.
