Choosing your Kitchen Lighting
Wednesday 8th May 2013
One of the first things you'll need to consider when planning your new kitchen is the lighting, as electrics and fittings have to be installed at the start of the project, before plastering, decorating and the fitting. It's an integral part of any scheme and this is your one chance to get it right.
The key to a successful scheme lies in layering the effects, so you should try to zone the lighting according to its use - working (task), dining and mood (ambient) and creating the wow factor (feature). It's important to concentrate on all three and consider dimmable solutions for even more flexibility.
Installing ceiling lighting can pose some difficulties, but it is possible to illuminate a kitchen without using any ceiling lights. There is a wide range of spotlights, downlighters, uplighters and strips that can be placed either under or on top of kitchen units. It also means you can be more creative, as it's possible to conceal fixtures and fittings.
Work lighting
Every kitchen, no matter how large or small, needs efficient task lighting. This is as much from a safety point of view as anything else. You'll need direct lighting wherever any food preparation is taking place - worktops, sinks and hobs - to make sure chopping and cooking can be done safely and without shadows. Undermounted options are perfect for this and be sure to look for recessed or semi-recessed options, as exposed light fittings will collect grease and dirt more easily
For the hob area, choose an extractor with four or more halogen lights and if the island is to be used for prep, highlight it with pendant lamps combined with recessed downlighters. These should always be controlled on a separate circuit, so make sure you talk to your electrician before any installation takes place.
The latest trend is for easy-to-use sensor-operated products. They're extremely practical - when preparing food, there's no need to wash your hands every time you need to flick the switch, simply wave your hand in front of the sensor. Drawer and cabinet lighting can also be operated on sensors, instantly coming on when the door is opened. Not only do they look great, the lights make it much easier to find that elusive corkscrew or pizza cutter.
Lighting for dining
Open-plan kitchens with a dining area or those with a breakfast bar need a combination of adequate lighting for eating, with softer lighting for after-dinner conversation. Dining tables and island units will benefit from a series of overhead pendant lamps (rise-and-fall versions can be moved up or down when needed) while lamps and wall lights will create a warm glow that sets the mood.
Mood lighting
Ambient lighting is key for creating a laid-back feel and is essential as kitchens become the primary social space in our homes. Look for softer solutions, such as dimmable wall lights, as well as decorative systems, like shelf and in-cabinet lights.
‘If the kitchen is a multifunctional space with a very strong living element, then it's important that the room has the right atmosphere, depending on the time of day and who's at home,' explains Graeme Smith, conceptual designer for Metris and Second Nature Kitchens. If your room is large, think about how you want the different zones to interact.
Mood lighting can change the ambience of the kitchen from practical preparation zone to a chill-out or entertaining space. Plinth lighting - especially strip lights - around an island unit or breakfast bar gives the illusion of floating furniture, which can create a magical feel at night and is great for wowing guests.
If you have a period property or interesting features, such as an exposed brick wall, that you'd like to highlight, consider accent lighting that can be used to focus on a particular area or design element in the room.
For more information contact us today at Extended Living on +44 (0)28 9066 4334
