Properly distributed light will not only decorate the kitchen, but also maximize the safety of cooking. Let’s find out what nuances need to be taken into account when lighting the kitchen and why it is so important to separate the work and dining areas.
Some people are more fortunate than others with the size of their kitchens. But in any kitchen it is important to organize the lighting. Even if the room is small or has irregularities in the layout, with the help of lamps you can visually increase the space or accentuate something, and, on the contrary, hide something.
A modern kitchen space includes at least two areas: the work area and the dining area. At least they can be implemented even in the smallest kitchen. Well, if the area allows, a part is allocated for the living room.
Lighting the Work Area in the Kitchen
Niches under cabinets are notoriously poorly lit. And it is under them that the work surface, hob and sink are located. Agree, it is not very comfortable to wash dishes and cook food in a dark corner. Therefore, this place must be well lit. Often, manufacturers of kitchen sets offer a variety of options for built-in work area lighting: from budget LED strip to futuristic glass apron lighting. The installation of lighting fixtures is carried out at the stage of assembling the furniture.
Spotlights on the ceiling, installed along the kitchen unit, can also help to solve this problem. In the range there is a great many models of different shapes and sizes. There are also several types: recessed, overhead, and pendant, with different decorative frame, you can pick up for any style of your kitchen. These lights are easy to install on a variety of surfaces. They can be mounted on regular or suspended ceilings, as well as mounted on hinged cabinets and shelves.
An important point!
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In the working area it is better to install the brightest lamps. Take into account the impact of the color temperature of LED-lights on a person. Neutral and cold (white) light increases performance, and warm (yellowish) promotes relaxation.
Optimal temperature: neutral 4000 Kelvin.
Lighting the Bar in the Kitchen
The most popular option here is pendant lights. Several pendants will help to highlight the area on the general background and create a powerful accent. According to the laws of good design there should be 2 large or 3 small ones, depending on the length of the bar. Lights should be placed at least 75 cm above the table top so as not to block the view.
Before choosing what to hang above the bar counter, think about how you will use it. If you plan to carve vegetables here, then you’ll need work lighting as well. Most decorative fixtures spread light in all directions, rather than creating focused beams to fully illuminate the countertop.
Lighting above the Table in the Kitchen
A beautiful designer chandelier over the kitchen table will help distinguish the dining space from the work space. Choose a model that matches the proportions of your table. Too large will overload the space, and a small one will be lost. Chandeliers come in a variety of styles, from classic to modern, and you can use lamps of different wattages, depending on how much lighting you need in your kitchen.
Instead of one chandelier, group three lights above the table. Hang them low over the table to create a sense of intimacy at a romantic dinner party, or raise them high for an everyday meal. Not only will this technique provide great light, but it will also add interest by breaking up the strict lines of the cabinets.
General Lighting
Bright lighting and fixtures over the dining table can do the trick, especially in a small kitchen. But don’t forget that they still illuminate small areas. You can fill in the gaps with the same spotlights by distributing them evenly across the ceiling.
But let’s consider another option for lighting a small kitchen when you have low ceilings and no room for pendants. Consider ceiling lights – these models give diffused light, plus they’re easy to install and will never get in the way. Great for general lighting and fit perfectly into modern interior design.
And lastly:
Think about the color of your kitchen. If it’s white, you may want to lower the brightness of the lamps, as this color is great for reflecting light. Conversely, if it’s a dark finish, you’ll have to increase the number of lights.
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