Kitchen Lighting Improvements
Poor lighting can reduce productivity, energy, safety, and motivation.
No matter the size of a kitchen, it should always be equipped with high-quality, bright lighting. The kitchen is not only a space for preparing meals and cooking. It's also where the entire family gathers and spends quality time together.
Poor lighting can reduce productivity, energy, safety, and motivation. That's why kitchen lighting is so important. It can dramatically affect a person's mood, making cooking feel like a chore or a joy. And when wielding sharp utensils, there needs to be enough light to avoid injury. An adequate amount of light can completely transform how a kitchen looks and feels.
If you want to improve kitchen lighting, here are a few factors to consider.
Different types of lighting
The kitchen should have as much natural light as possible, but sometimes, due to the position of the room, it simply isn't possible. This is where artificial lighting comes in. Regardless of a kitchen's size, there should be more than just one light source in the room.
Generally speaking, there are three kitchen lighting types: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting is the primary source of light within a room, and it typically comes from a chandelier or a ceiling-mounted fixture.
Task lighting is often installed to increase the ambient lighting. This can be under-cabinet lighting or pendant lighting. Accent lighting is usually there to offer light to one part of the room, like a wall or architectural features.
A well-lit kitchen has at least two types of lighting, but it would be ideal to combine all three.
Warm vs. cold lighting
When discussing warm and cold light, we don't refer to the physical temperature of the light but rather the color temperature. Warm light is yellowish, while cold light is whiter and even bluish.
Cool lighting is better suited for stimulating environments, like offices, classrooms, conference rooms, etc. On the other hand, if you want the kitchen to appear more welcoming, definitely go with warm light bulbs.
Kitchen lighting trends
Various kitchen lighting trends can elevate the kitchen's style and overall atmosphere. The best way to get creative is with accent lights.
For open-space kitchens with bars or islands, hanging pendant lights add a great touch to the room's overall design. What's more, they make that area more inviting, perfect for having friends over for dinner. Kitchen islands go wonderfully with hanging light bars of the same length. Just ensure it's high enough so people won't bump into it.
Under-cabinet lighting is handy for prepping meals or making dinner after the sun has set. Some chandeliers consist of reflective materials and metallic brass accents, so the light bounces around the room when they are on.
Light up the kitchen!
The kitchen is one of the high-value areas of a house. Some people even say it's the heart of every home. That's why a kitchen should have adequate lighting to make cooking fun and enjoyable.
For any kitchen lighting improvement project, it's best to hire an electrician, as some of these projects can get rather complicated. Bon appétit!
ACT Electric performs quality, licensed and bonded work at affordable prices for both residential and commercial jobs. From troubleshooting to whole-house electrical renovations, their primary concern is the comfort and safety of their customers. Give them a call at (480)986-1722 today!
