Advice and Ideas For Lighting Your Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most social, task-heavy areas in the entire home. Kitchen lighting plays a massive role in the functionality and aesthetic of this area. Below, we’ll discuss how to incorporate kitchen lighting, along with some kitchen lighting aesthetics to consider.

 

Why Do You Need Good Lighting in The Kitchen?

Good lighting is an important part of any kitchen. It serves a number of purposes in the space, including creating an overall mood and aesthetic.

You can use pendant lighting for small kitchens to make them seem brighter without making them feel cramped or recessed lights to create a modern appearance. Whatever design styles speak to you, incorporating them can make the room feel more welcoming and inviting. This is important if you spend time in the kitchen entertaining guests.

Perhaps the most important aspect of good kitchen lighting is safety. There are many elements that could potentially spell accident or injury, such as sharp blades, boiling hot water and red-hot stovetops.

Proper lighting in the kitchen can also illuminate various hazards, such as electrical cords or water on the floor. In the same vein, proper lighting can help with food prep and checking the doneness of your meals.

 

Ideas on Ways to Light a Kitchen Island

Although lighting design trends change as frequently as any other trend, there are a few timeless, ever-trendy ways to incorporate kitchen island lighting into your space.

 

• MAKE A STATEMENT – If you want your kitchen to stand out in an eye-catching way, you can create drama with lights. Hang kitchen ceiling lights at various heights or choose dramatic island pendant lights to create a focal point.

 

• INCLUDE GLASS – Glass is a timeless, CLASSIC material that always fits into various spaces and design schemes. Fixtures with glass shades or other elements can add a classy and luxurious feel to your kitchen.

 

• OPT FOR INDUSTRIAL ELEMENTS – When choosing pendant lighting for kitchen island spaces, consider metallic fixtures. These offer a sleek, urban appearance that fits into an industrial aesthetic. You could also choose pendant lights with exposed bulbs to get a similar look.

 

• BRING IN A GLAMOUROUS CHANDELIER – A large chandelier can elevate the look of your kitchen and make it more opulent. When hung over a kitchen island, it can also create a beautiful focal point.

 

• CHOOSE SOFTER LIGHTING – If you primarily intend to entertain around the island, softer, warmer light will come in handy. Brighter lighting will be better for food prep.

 

• PLINTH LIGHTING – Kitchen plinth lights, also known as kitchen kickboard lights, are lights that sit along the base of an island or other cabinetry. This adds a nice, indirect glow and works as gentle accent lighting in the kitchen.

How To Use Recessed LED Downlights in a Kitchen

Kitchen ceiling light fixtures come in a number of shapes, styles and sizes. One of the most popular types in modern homes is recessed lighting.

Before installing them in your kitchen, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions:

• What size is the room?
• How tall are the ceilings?
• How bright do you want it to be?

 

In order to determine how to decide the number of lights you’ll need, follow these steps:

 

• Determine the square footage in the room by multiplying the depth by the width.

 

• Multiply this number by 1.5. The result will tell you the wattage you’ll need, which you can then convert to lumens.

 

• Check the lumen levels of the bulbs you want to use and make sure they add up to the right brightness level.

 

• Consider the height of the ceiling. Cones of light from recessed lights tend to   cross at about 30 inches above the floor. Taller ceilings will require fewer downlights and a brighter lumen count to make up for this.

 

• Consider spacing. A general rule of thumb is to place recessed lights around two feet from the wall. This will avoid creating shadows. Then, divide the ceiling length by half to figure out how many feet apart to place each downlight from there. For instance, if you have a 10 foot ceiling, you should space them five feet apart.

 

How To Use Task Lighting in a Kitchen

Task lighting is a crucial element of kitchen lighting, since the kitchen is such a task-heavy area. There are many ways to incorporate task lighting in a kitchen.

 

• KITCHEN ISLAND LIGHTING. The island is a multipurpose space. Whether you are preparing food or having a snack, having pendant lights or other task lighting above the island is crucial.

 

• CABINET LIGHTING. LED strips and puck lights under the cabinets on top will provide a wash of light below them on the countertop. This is great for food prep stations and will help you save space.

 

• FUNCTIONAL SPACES. Light up the stove, sink and other prepping or cleaning areas to make your job easier. You can use recessed lights or hanging pendants depending on the amount of space you have to work with.

 

• DRAWERS AND CABINETS. Installing strip lights or bar lights inside of a cabinet allows easier access to the items inside. This style of task lighting can make your kitchen a more convenient place to navigate.

 

Different Kitchen and Lighting Design Styles 

Pendant lighting trends come in the form of different overall aesthetics. These include, but are not limited to:

 

• MODERN DESIGN SCHEMES – Modern kitchens are characterised by minimalism, metallic finishes and simple lines.

 

• COUNTRY CHIC – Bring the styles of the country into your kitchen with wood, brass and warm lighting.

 

• CLEAN WHITE – Make your kitchen look sleek and suave with white cabinetry, marble countertops and white light fixtures.

 

• NEUTRAL COLOURS – Choosing earthy tones like white, brown and black, you can create a homey, welcoming kitchen area for your guests.

 

• CABIN STYLE – With an emphasis on wood and metal, you can create a cosy cabin feel in your kitchen.

 

• INDUSTRIAL FLAIR – Incorporate brass, matte metal finishes and exposed bulbs into your kitchen for an industrial modern look.

 

• ROMANTIC AND WARM – With lanterns, indirect lighting and warm colour temperatures, you can transform your kitchen into an inviting place to be.

 

• GO PRO – Dress up your kitchen like the professionals with stainless steel fixtures and appliances.

 

• VIBRANT AND WHIMSICAL – Have fun in your kitchen with colourful cabinets and splashes of contrasting colours in the form of rugs or other decorations.

 

• BLACK AND WHITE – Give your kitchen a classic, academic look with a mixture of black and white colours.

Why Using LED Lights in a Kitchen Is Best for Energy Efficiency 

Affordable kitchen lighting begins with well-priced fixtures and ends with energy efficient lighting. LED bulbs provide you the ability to accomplish this easily.

LED bulbs use far less energy than their traditional counterparts. Whereas halogen bulbs output almost all of their energy as heat to create light, LED bulbs generate mostly light with only a small percentage of heat.

This means you are using less energy from the get-go, which can lower your electric bill and your environmental footprint all the same.

At the same time, LED bulbs won’t cause the kitchen to get unnecessarily hot the same way traditional bulbs do. This means you won’t have to run fans or air conditioning to keep the temperature pleasant on warm days.

 

What is The Best LED Colour Temperature to Use in a Kitchen?

Colour temperature is simply a way to indicate how warm or cool a light is. It is measured in units Kelvin with higher ratings promising cooler lights and lower ratings providing warmer tones.

Since the kitchen is a task-heavy space, it tends to require brighter, clearer light. Still, some prefer their kitchen to feel warmer and more intimate, meaning that it ultimately all comes down to preference.

A nice middle point between these two ends would be anywhere between 3000k and 3300k warm white light. This light is bright and easy to see while still being warm and inviting.

 

Advice on How To Design Your Kitchen Lighting Layout 

Getting LED kitchen lighting right is important if you want a well-lit space where you can easily perform tasks. Follow the steps below to plan out your new kitchen lighting scheme.

1. CHOOSE THE DESIGN STYLE. Kitchen lighting ideas are varied and plentiful, and you can find inspiration from other people’s kitchens to get you started. Decide on the decor style and design scheme you want for your kitchen before all else.

This could be any aesthetic, from modern farmhouse to modern industrial. Once you know the general aesthetic you want, you can start shopping for fixtures.

 

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT FIXTURES. Be sure to pick lighting for kitchen areas that mesh well with the design style you have chosen. It’s a good idea to consider light fixtures that work well with the other lights in the house to create a cohesive flow.

 

3. LAYER THE LIGHTS. Once you have an idea of the fixtures you want, you can plan how you want to layer them. A layered lighting scheme consists of ambient, task and mood lighting.

Ambient light creates the overall illumination and is usually accomplished by ceiling lighting. Task lighting in kitchens often comes in the form of recessed lights or pendant lights. Mood lighting can be included through indirect light sources such as wall sconces or plinth lighting.

 

4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT COLOUR TEMPERATURE. Generally speaking, warm-coloured lights are best in domestic settings. To ensure that the light is bright and visible, choose warm lights closer to the warm white area of the spectrum. This tends to be between 3000k and 3300k.

 

5. INSTALL DIMMERS. Installing dimmers is recommended for your kitchen LED lighting. Installing dimmers will allow you to create a nice mood for entertaining after prep and cooking by lowering the lights. Then, when you need to cook or clean, you can turn the brightness all the way up.

 

How To Use Pendant Lights Over a Kitchen Island

Kitchen pendant lighting can serve many purposes, from ambient lighting to task lighting and even mood lighting in some cases. The kitchen island is often the focal point of any kitchen, and using stylish pendant light fixtures over it can enhance it even more.

When it comes to using pendants for kitchen island lighting, you should first measure the length and the width of the island. If your kitchen is shorter than two meters, you would only need to hang two lights. For larger islands, start with three lights and then add more as needed. It is best to stick to the rule of odd numbers for bigger islands to ensure it looks its best.

Space the lights out at an even distance. The outer lights should have around six inches between them and the outer edge of the island. Between them should be a similar distance that remains uniform throughout them all.

Regarding the height of pendant lighting for kitchen islands, a good rule is to have them hanging about 30 to 32 inches above the island. This keeps them at a nice level to prevent glare while you work while allowing the lights to sit low enough to serve as focused task lighting at the same time.

 

How To Light a Kitchen Table 

Modern kitchen lighting includes lighting up the kitchen table as well as the island. Pendant lighting trends can be applied to the kitchen or dining table lighting the same way they are to the island itself.

For larger kitchen tables, you can hang pendant lights in odd numbers. Some people prefer to hang a single large statement pendant light in the centre instead. Both provide task lighting for dining. For the latter, chandeliers are a popular choice, especially if you want to give your dining room a wow factor.

Preventing glare and eyestrain is a top priority when it comes to kitchen table lighting. To do so, you should stick to the same general height rule for your kitchen table as you did for your modern kitchen island lighting. That is to say, they should sit around 30 to 32 inches from the top of the table.

 

How To Design Ambient Lighting in a Kitchen 

Ambient lighting is one of three layers that your kitchen lighting should have. Ambient light is responsible for creating the overall illumination in any room, so it’s quite important to do it well.

There are many different types of lighting you can use to create ambient lighting. Check out some of the most popular kitchen lighting fixtures and kitchen island lighting ideas below:

 

• PENDANT LIGHTS. Statement pendant lights that are large and eye-catching or a cluster of smaller pendant lights can create a nice visual impact while providing ample lighting. Choose lights with adjustable heights so you can control where the lights sit.

 

• CHANDELIERS. Similar to pendant lights, chandeliers hang down from the ceiling. They often have more than one light source and unique designs that adhere to modern kitchen lighting trends. Choose a chandelier that is proportionate to the table size you are hanging it over.

 

• WALL SCONCES. Wall lights can be mounted throughout the kitchen to provide even lighting all around. Kitchen cabinet lighting can also be in the form of wall lights placed on both ends of a row of wall cabinets if there is enough space.

 

• TRACK LIGHTS. Kitchen track lighting offers versatile lighting that can either create ambient light or be used as a focus. Line the perimeter of a kitchen with them to cast an even wash of indirect light all around the room.

 

How To Maximise Natural Light in a Kitchen

Sustainable kitchen lighting is big on many homeowners’ minds. Besides using energy saving LED fixtures, you can also make the most out of the natural lighting in the room. The best way to do this is to ensure you have many windows and even skylights. Still, there are more specific steps you can take to make the very most of it.

Using light-coloured paint will help brighten up the kitchen. Darker paint colors will absorb all of that natural light, while light colours will bounce them around and reflect them. Choosing fixtures that have metallic or otherwise glossy finishes will also help move the natural light around the room.

If your kitchen is due for a renovation sometime soon, consider redoing the floors. Floors that are polished and have a glossy finish contribute to the efforts of moving natural light around the room.

 

Tips on Planning Overhead Kitchen Lighting

Overhead kitchen lighting is perhaps the most important lighting layer in the room. Follow these tips to plan the perfect lighting scheme.

 

• ASSESS THE LAYOUT. Figure out where you need lighting most, such as the food prep area, cooking area and dining area.

 

• CONSIDER THE CEILING HEIGHT. The height of the ceiling will dictate the lengths of the pendant lights you may want to hang. Choose adjustable pendant lights so you can hang the lights in the perfect position for your new kitchen.

 

• LAYER YOUR LIGHTS. Ambient light is important, but it is nothing without task lighting and accent lighting. Incorporate task and mood lighting to supplement the ambient lights.

 

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DIMMERS. Being able to dim your overhead light will help you create an atmosphere at will. You can turn them down low for mood lighting or turn them up high for completing tasks in the room.

 

• PLACEMENT IS KEY. Be sure your placement is even to ensure balanced lighting. Try not to install ceiling lights too close to the wall so you won’t create shadows.

 

• USE THE RIGHT FIXTURES. Different spaces call for different types of light fixtures. Choose fixtures that work well with the style of the kitchen to make everything flow well.

 

• TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RECESSED LIGHTS. Recessed lights are perfect for modern kitchens due to their minimalist look. Space them evenly in the ceiling to cast balanced illumination and prevent dark spots.

 

How To Maintain Your Kitchen Lighting Fixtures

Cleaning and maintaining light fixtures is an important part of your overall kitchen lighting scheme. By taking the time to ensure they are well-kept, you can get the most out of your lights for as long as possible.

Fortunately, maintaining lights comes down to simply checking them for functionality and cleaning them when they need it. Inspect the wires and fixtures occasionally to look for damage, and replace the fixtures when necessary.

If the only issue you notice is a little dust or debris, you can manage it by gently cleaning the fixture. To do so, you will need a microfiber cloth, a duster and some water.

Gently dust off the light fixtures before anything else. It is recommended to choose a duster that has an extendable arm so you can reach ceiling lights. Then, dip a microfiber cloth into a bit of warm water. Simply wipe down the exteriors of the fixtures to remove any stubborn dirt or debris that clings.

 

How To Get Under Cabinet Lighting Right in a Kitchen

Under Cabinet lighting is one of the most important task lights you can have in a kitchen. This style of lighting is used to light a cabinet from underneath or from within. Doing so will make it easier for you to see the contents inside the cabinets.

There are several main types of under cabinet lighting:

 

• String lights
• Spotlights
• Bar lights
• Puck lights

 

Depending on how much space you have to work within your cabinets, some of these light styles may work better than others. Self-adhesive light strips are universally good, as they can be applied to the inside and undersides of cabinets of all sizes and capacities.

When it comes to installing them, you will need to either use battery-powered lights or get an extension cord to run into the cabinets. Map out the specific areas of the cabinets where you could benefit most from the lights and mark them. These areas are where you’ll need to place the lights.

From there, you’ll need to take the necessary installation steps depending on the fixtures you’re choosing. This could mean cutting holes for wires, attaching overhead bar lights or adhering strip lights to the cabinets. If you used extension cords, now is a good time to conceal the wires by pinning them to the cabinet walls out of sight.

 

Kitchen Lighting Ideas

 

1. LPL404 5 Watt Hanging LED Pendant Light

Create visual appeal over islands and dining areas with the LPL404 5 Watt Hanging LED Pendant Light. This unique light features a double-layered umbrella style lamp shade that comes in black or white and immediately draws the eye. It outputs 3000k warm white light with a stunning CRI of over 97. This light is fashioned out of premium aluminium with an acrylic internal diffuser shade. Overall, it measures 200 millimeters in diameter by 150 millimeters in height and attaches to an adjustable 2000-millimeter drop cable.

 

2. LPL142A 20 Watt Black LED Pendant Ceiling Light

Perfect for modern or industrial kitchens, the LPL142A 20 Watt Black LED Pendant Ceiling Light is a sleek and minimalistic choice. This ultra bright light outputs 2000 lumens of 3000k warm white light, shining it over a larger area of space. It features a 1000-millimeter set of drop cables that you can use to adjust the fixture to the best height. The head of the light measures 1170 millimeters in length, making it impossible to ignore. It is crafted out of hardwearing aluminium and given a black finish.

 

3. LPL364 5 Watt Hanging LED Pendant Light

Dress up your island with the LPL364 5 Watt Hanging LED Pendant Light. This pendant light features a modern shape and comes in our choice of black, white or a mix of black and gold. This finish is applied to its durable aluminium body, Inside, an LED bulb outputs 400 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 30-degree beam angle. It measures 148 millimeters in diameter and features an adjustable 2000-millimeter drop cable.

 

4. LDC880 1 Watt LED Plinth Lights Build Your Kit

Add a beautiful finishing touch to your kitchen with the addition of the LDC880 1 Watt LED Plinth Lights Build Your Kit. This kit includes small plinth lights that come in your choice of rose gold, white gold, black, silver or polished chrome to suit any kitchen aesthetic. Each one outputs 122 lumens of 3000k warm white light and is connected by the .50-centimeter connection cables that come included. The product measures 23 millimeters in diameter by 27 millimeters in depth and requires a 20-millimeter hole cut-out for installation.

 

5. CSL022 5 Watt Round Recessed LED Downlight Fitting

Create a sleek, modern kitchen with the CSL022 5 Watt Round Recessed LED Downlight Fitting. This fixture features a round aluminium body that recesses into the ceiling. It is finished in your choice of black, white, rose gold or white with a chrome internal reflector. The light outputs 430 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 23-degree beam angle and measures 83 millimeters in diameter with a height of 118 millimeters.

 

6. LDC734 5 Watt Anti Glare Recessed LED Downlight

Enjoy the beauty of recessed lighting with none of the glare when you choose the LDC734 5 Watt Anti Glare Recessed LED Downlight. This downlight features a bulb that sits deeply within the fixture to eliminate glare when you look right at it. The result is a pleasant pool of 430 lumens of light beneath it. It is crafted out of high quality aluminium and comes in a white hue with a black internal reflector ring. Overall, it measures 63 millimeters in diameter.

 

7. Leon 8 Watt 250mm Wide Brushed Silver LED Wall Light

Bring industrial charm to your kitchen with the Leon 8 Watt 250mm Wide Brushed Silver LED Wall Light. This light features a rectangular shape with soft corners fashioned out of hardwearing aluminium. The exterior is brushed for visual appeal and has opal acrylic covers on the bottom and top. A total of 800 lumens of 3000k warm white light shines above and below the fixture, which measures 250 millimeters in width by 70 millimeters in height.

 

8. LWA304 6 Watt Round Decorative LED Wall Light

Make your kitchen feel more inviting with the LWA304 6 Watt Round Decorative LED Wall Light as your accent light. This light provides an indirect glow of 600 lumens of 3000k warm white light that reflects back onto the wall through its acrylic diffuser. It is built to last out of high quality aluminium that comes finished in your choice of black or white. The wall light measures a total size of 120 millimeters in diameter with a 63-millimeter projection from the wall.