Since the kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in many homes, good kitchen lighting is important to its overall design and feel.
The practice of implementing good lighting design is a popular and profitable project that many homeowners choose to undertake to give their kitchens an extra personal touch and make it stand out from the crowd.
There are several places, many of which some never consider, to add lighting. Have you ever thought about kitchen cabinet lighting or kitchen lighting above the sink? These are just two places where additional lighting should go to accentuate your appliances and other kitchen accessories.
Through the right design decisions, you can enhance the look of your kitchen and create a positive environment that you, your family and guests will greatly appreciate.
However, in order to do that, it is important to know what the different types of kitchen lighting are and how they are typically implemented in a kitchen design.
The four types of lighting to consider before beginning a kitchen remodeling project are task lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting, and accent lighting. Each of these types of lighting serves a different purpose than the others, so becoming familiar with each would be to your advantage while you are in the planning stages of your project.
Ambient lighting is usually the most prevalent type of lighting. Its low intensity creates a soft sheen that makes it safe to work with in most kitchen areas. Many people associate ambient lighting with setting the mood in a room not only in kitchens, but also in places like restaurants and bars. The right amount of ambient light can make a room feel cozy and homey.
Task lighting is a type of kitchen lighting that provides a higher intensity glow. This is why task lighting is often limited to places like the sink and cabinets, where being able to see is important. To get the most out of this type of lighting, consider placing it not only over your sink, but also over other high-use kitchen items like cutting boards and stovetops.
Accent lighting is designed to show things off. If you have an expensive new refrigerator or another item in your kitchen, like rare crockery, that you want people to notice, then this is the type of lighting to use for that. It doesn’t make your kitchen work areas more functional, but its aesthetic value has made it popular with homeowners doing kitchen renovations.
Finally, there is the decorative lighting. This type of kitchen lighting allows you to make the space truly yours. Whatever your lighting design, it’s important to remember the old adage “less is more” with accent lighting. Going overboard with accent lighting can make for a bold and eye-catching look, while a minimalist approach can bring understated refinement to the room.