Choosing the light for a kitchen is a totally different job than it is for the rest of the house. The kitchen is special because you can’t just go with a single type of lighting, since there isn’t one that fits all the needs.
When you think of kitchen lighting you shouldn’t consider it just functional. It can be considered decorative as well, enhancing the look of your kitchen, an important thing since you spend so many hours inside.
Kitchen Lighting
Ideally, layers of lights should be used, incorporating a number of different lighting types. Sometimes up to four different lighting types are used in a kitchen, in layers, to provide the needed functionality for different tasks. These four types of kitchen lighting are described below.
Chore or task lighting
This is the functional part of the kitchen lighting, giving you plenty of light to do things like cooking food, chopping vegetables, and even reading some recipes. You can prevent any accidents in the kitchen with good lighting for the different tasks you might take on. You need plenty of light, allowing you to do your tasks without straining the eyes. Recessed lights should do the trick here and if possible use a switch for each light.
Ambient lighting
With ambient or indirect lighting, you can get a nice glow to your kitchen, making it warmer and more inviting to people that enter the room. It helps soften shadows that aren’t wanted, lighting up the vertical surfaces and making the space brighter. This type of lighting is obtained in many cases by hiding the light, so it can’t be seen, while its light bounces from the wall or ceiling, creating a nice glow.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting provides the kitchen with extra dimension and depth, allowing you to show off some of the items in the kitchen, like the luxury cutlery sets, the fancy tableware or glassware, or the beautifully arranged food. One example is using lights placed in the glass cabinet, to illuminate your glassware.
Ornamental lighting
Decorative lighting is used when you want to give that extra effect to your kitchen, making your neighbors envious in the process. Ideally, this should be used when the kitchen is the place where you dine. With the many choices available today, decorative lights can also provide all the functionality you require.
