Designing your kitchen (4) Kitchen Lighting
Here’s are our guide on the pros and cons of different types of kitchen lighting:
Pendants
Perfect for providing a stunning visual impact, pendants offer practical lighting over island countertops, dining areas and breakfast bars. They can be adjusted to the right height and create an eye-catching focal point that looks ultra-modern in contemporary styles of kitchen. However, they must be paired with other types of lighting in the kitchen space to ensure that other areas aren’t left in shadow: layer up different varieties of lights to add interest and depth.
Under-cupboard lighting
These lights provide something called ‘task lighting’ – they illuminate workstations and countertops that would otherwise be left in shadow by the cabinets above. They are a practical option for preparation spaces and draw attention to the items inside your cupboards, such as crockery and ornaments. Lights can be added inside the cabinets as well to truly highlight your favourite display pieces, transforming a dark glass-fronted or traditional solid wood cupboard into a showcase.
Uplights
Uplighters illuminate the ceiling and top cabinets of a kitchen, which bounces the light off the surfaces to create a softer light. You can pair these with directional spotlights that can be adjusted to point at different areas of the space as required. They offer great flexibility, allow you to personalise your light sources and highlight key areas.
Recessed spotlights
These spotlights are very common in kitchen spaces and can be scattered across the ceiling to provide a reliable base light. However, this type of light alone can look harsh. Combining it with under cupboard lighting or even toe-kick lights, which are placed just above floor level and make superb night lights, helps to build layers of illumination throughout the kitchen.
Remember that LED lights consumer less electricity than traditional bulbs and that if your kitchen is a social space choose ambient lighting that has a warm feel. Why not opt for dimmable lights in a cosier painted shaker kitchen? Compare kitchen prices here and find some great images and ideas on lighting choices.
23rd May 2017The Compare Network
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