Kitchen lighting
When you’re planning a new kitchen, lighting should be one of the first things you consider. Look at the available natural light first, then think about adding artificial light for the different functions performed in the kitchen.
The light in your kitchen may affect the style and colour of kitchen units and the worktops you choose. While light is absorbed by soft, textured surfaces, it is reflected by hard, glossy surfaces. A common trick used by professional kitchen designers is to use light reflective materials to create an illusion of space. Why not take a look at Price Kitchens’ extensive selection of high gloss kitchens?
Working different types of lighting into your kitchen design will give you the option to maximise all the different functions of the room – from using bright task lighting for food prep to setting the mood for intimate dining.
Wide choice of lighting styles
Natural light
Everyone loves natural light, so your first task should be an assessment of how to maximise the daylight that enters your kitchen space, with big windows, ceiling glass, mirrors and reflective surfaces. Then add more artificial lighting options to shady areas.
Ceiling lights
A traditional lighting style, pendant ceiling lights area good solution for general ambient light. Choose an attractive shade, or a cluster of designer Edison-style lightbulbs, to present your kitchen in the best possible light at all times.
Spotlights
Perfect for task lighting such as food preparation and cooking, spotlights provide a powerful beam focused on a particular area. Choose between individual or tracked lights, or opt for recessed lights as an unobtrusive and space saving solution.
Uplighters
Directing the light onto the ceiling creates additional height and a soft type of light that’s great for creating intimate moods. Uplighters can be used as a feature, for example along the edge of shelving to provide soft light accents to showcase decorative object.
Low-watt lights
Create useful illumination in tucked away cupboards and dark nooks and crannies in your kitchen with the help of very low wattage light that can be activated by a sensor, for instance when the door is opened and closed.
Which bulbs to choose?
Once you have chosen your lighting styles, you should pay attention to the choice of lightbulbs. For the brightest of lights, ideal for task lighting and to provide high levels of illumination, choose halogen bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs are lower in energy usage and last 4x longer than halogen bulbs, but they can take up to 1 minute to reach full power and are suitable for use with a dimmer switch.
LED bulbs are the most advanced option. They may cost a bit more but are the most energy efficient lighting solution and have the longest lifespan by far. Full illumination is reached instantly and they are dimmer compatible.
