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Kitchen Lighting
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Published: October 20, 2006
The kitchen is referred to as the heart of the house, the place were everyone gathers. It is more than just a place where meals are prepared, it is the first place you go after a long days work to grab a snack, it's where you share your day, and where family and friends offer to help out; snacking and carrying on more than anything else.
The kitchen should be a place that is functional as well as beautiful and kitchen lighting should be approached in the same way.
Kitchen lighting should include three types of lighting: task, ambient, and accent lighting. Each type of lighting has its own purpose. By having multiple light sources you have varying options in creating the right mood for different occasions. This gives you flexibility in your kitchen lighting system. Also, having layers of light from many sources will perfectly illuminate the living and work spaces together.
For kitchen lighting, begin with task lighting. As the name implies task lighting should light up the areas where work will be done such as the sink, counter tops, island, stove-top, and table. The best light for task lighting is bright and shadow-less. Fluorescent tube lights work well for kitchen lighting because they illuminate large surface areas and have high lumens per watt. Lumens, not watts are the measurement of the amount of light given off; the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Lumen measurement can be found on the package of all bulbs. If when you heard the words fluorescent lighting, the image of bright blue, unflattering light came to mind, rest easy. Today there are fluorescent lights that come in all shades of colors. Choose one that is a warmer temperature–around 3000K to 3500K. That will give off a redder light, which is more flattering for kitchen lighting and gives off an inviting feeling.
For task lighting, you want the light to be as close to the task area as possible. This can be done by mounting the lights under cabinets so light will shine down on the counter tops. For the task areas where there are no cabinets above, a hanging fixture or project light can be installed from the ceiling. Track or recessed lighting will work well and compliment all kitchens.
Ambient kitchen lighting is the light needed for general overall lighting. It is the lighting you have on when you are spending time doing casual activities in the kitchen. Fluorescent lights are recommended again because of the broad and even illumination they give off. Also, fluorescent lights do not give off heat like incandescent lights. Therefore, when you are cooking with the oven on and stove top burners going, the room will not be any hotter than it has to be. Choose a warmer temperature fluorescent light, similar to task lighting.
Ambient kitchen lighting can be fun and functional. Placing rows of fluorescent tubes along the tops of the cabinets will effectively the entire kitchen, especially if the ceiling is a light color causing the light to reflect making it even brighter. Fluorescent tubes can be installed in other unique places such as within a pot-rack hung above the kitchen island. A nice light fixture in the middle of the ceiling will provide light and show some of your personal style. Another way to provide ambient kitchen lighting is with a ceiling fan with lights. This will provide overall light and keep the room well circulated.
Lastly, kitchen lighting should include some accent lights. This lighting gives the room a third dimension, bringing the whole room together. Accent lighting is done with spot lights focused on a few choice items. Use accent kitchen lighting sparingly–less is more. Only accent a few items that you want to be noticed and admired. You can accent architectural details, such as the entrance way or the angle of a corner. You can accent art work, collectibles, items on shelves, and anything else that you can think of. Kitchen lighting will really come together with a bit of accent lighting.
Kitchen lighting is very important to take the time to get right because it is known that people gather around light. Once the sun is down and the shades are drawn, kitchen lighting is the only way to get meals cooked. Having kitchen lighting that is practical and reflects your personal style and tastes makes every house a home. Give yourself something nice to come home to.
Grosslight, Jane. Lighting Kitchens and Baths. Tallahassee, Fl: Durwood, 1993.
House Beautiful: Lighting. New York, New York: Hearst Books, 2002.
McCloud, Kevin. Lighting Style. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995.
Strandberg, Eric. "Kitchen Lighting Design." Light Search. 2000. Inter.Light, Inc. 19 Oct. 2006.
Kitchen lighting should include three types of lighting: task, ambient, and accent lighting. Each type of lighting has its own purpose. By having multiple light sources you have varying options in creating the right mood for different occasions. This gives you flexibility in your kitchen lighting system. Also, having layers of light from many sources will perfectly illuminate the living and work spaces together.
For kitchen lighting, begin with task lighting. As the name implies task lighting should light up the areas where work will be done such as the sink, counter tops, island, stove-top, and table. The best light for task lighting is bright and shadow-less. Fluorescent tube lights work well for kitchen lighting because they illuminate large surface areas and have high lumens per watt. Lumens, not watts are the measurement of the amount of light given off; the higher the number of lumens, the brighter the light. Lumen measurement can be found on the package of all bulbs. If when you heard the words fluorescent lighting, the image of bright blue, unflattering light came to mind, rest easy. Today there are fluorescent lights that come in all shades of colors. Choose one that is a warmer temperature–around 3000K to 3500K. That will give off a redder light, which is more flattering for kitchen lighting and gives off an inviting feeling.
For task lighting, you want the light to be as close to the task area as possible. This can be done by mounting the lights under cabinets so light will shine down on the counter tops. For the task areas where there are no cabinets above, a hanging fixture or project light can be installed from the ceiling. Track or recessed lighting will work well and compliment all kitchens.
Ambient kitchen lighting is the light needed for general overall lighting. It is the lighting you have on when you are spending time doing casual activities in the kitchen. Fluorescent lights are recommended again because of the broad and even illumination they give off. Also, fluorescent lights do not give off heat like incandescent lights. Therefore, when you are cooking with the oven on and stove top burners going, the room will not be any hotter than it has to be. Choose a warmer temperature fluorescent light, similar to task lighting.
Ambient kitchen lighting can be fun and functional. Placing rows of fluorescent tubes along the tops of the cabinets will effectively the entire kitchen, especially if the ceiling is a light color causing the light to reflect making it even brighter. Fluorescent tubes can be installed in other unique places such as within a pot-rack hung above the kitchen island. A nice light fixture in the middle of the ceiling will provide light and show some of your personal style. Another way to provide ambient kitchen lighting is with a ceiling fan with lights. This will provide overall light and keep the room well circulated.
Lastly, kitchen lighting should include some accent lights. This lighting gives the room a third dimension, bringing the whole room together. Accent lighting is done with spot lights focused on a few choice items. Use accent kitchen lighting sparingly–less is more. Only accent a few items that you want to be noticed and admired. You can accent architectural details, such as the entrance way or the angle of a corner. You can accent art work, collectibles, items on shelves, and anything else that you can think of. Kitchen lighting will really come together with a bit of accent lighting.
Kitchen lighting is very important to take the time to get right because it is known that people gather around light. Once the sun is down and the shades are drawn, kitchen lighting is the only way to get meals cooked. Having kitchen lighting that is practical and reflects your personal style and tastes makes every house a home. Give yourself something nice to come home to.
Grosslight, Jane. Lighting Kitchens and Baths. Tallahassee, Fl: Durwood, 1993.
House Beautiful: Lighting. New York, New York: Hearst Books, 2002.
McCloud, Kevin. Lighting Style. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster, 1995.
Strandberg, Eric. "Kitchen Lighting Design." Light Search. 2000. Inter.Light, Inc. 19 Oct. 2006.
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