How to Choose the Best Lighting Fixtures for Your Kitchen?

Sometimes it can be challenging to pick a suitable lamp for your kitchen. You often have to balance between creating a welcoming ambiance and functional lighting to support tasks. But using a variety of light fixtures and leveraging the power of lighting apps, you can create a well-lit space for working or socializing. When it comes to lighting fixtures for your kitchen, there are a few factors to consider such as the size and layout of the kitchen, the color scheme, and the type of activities that will take place in the space. By considering these factors and utilizing lighting apps that offer customization options and smart controls, you can choose the best lighting fixtures for your kitchen that provide both functionality and style.

Consider the Kitchen

When selecting a new lamp or lamps for your kitchen, it is important to consider the design of the kitchen itself. Whether you are updating an existing design or completely renovating the space, factor in the existing design or the new plan accordingly. The details and elements of your kitchen as it exists or will exist when renovations are done will impact the type, size, style, and number of light fixtures both hardwired and plug-in that can be installed.

Consider these Factors:

1. Size of the kitchen: Dictates the number and size of fixtures you can fit.
2. Current number and style of fixtures: Unless you are renovating, this guides where new fixtures can go and what style they’ll need to be to match any you plan on keeping.
3. Natural and artificial light levels: Informs the amount and type of light needed.
4. Layout of the kitchen: This factor helps to dictate fixture placement and style, especially if it has an open plan and connects with other rooms.
5. Style of the kitchen: Impacts the style of the fixture you should select. With these details settled, you can more easily determine the style and number of fixtures you need to purchase and install.

Decide on a Focal Point

Before you begin picking out new kitchen light fixtures, it’s best to make a plan. It may not be as fun as the shopping part, but a little planning will save you a lot of headaches. Start by deciding where the focal point of the kitchen will be. This is where your eyes will land when you walk into the room, and it’ll need a large light fixture that commands attention. You’ll choose all the other fixtures around it, so this decision needs to happen first. Pendant lighting complements a kitchen with a central island, while narrow galley kitchens look best with fixtures that are close to the ceiling like flush mount, semi-flush mount.

Add Some Ambience with Mood Lighting

Bright task lighting is important in the kitchen when cooking and cleaning, but you might want to tone things down when it’s time to wind down. Your kitchen lighting can set the tone for the rest of the house, so consider features like a dimmer switch to enhance the ambience of the space. Installing under-cabinet lighting will provide just the right amount of indirect light to warmly illuminate your countertops, cabinetry, and backsplash. Traditional under-cabinet lights are hardwired but newer, battery-operated, and remote-controlled designs can be attached quickly and easily with double-sided tape.

Know Your Options

One of the most common lighting mistakes people make is assuming that one type of lighting — especially dreaded overheads — will suffice when putting a room together. Interior designers will be the first to tell you that sentiment couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, lighting works best when it’s used in layers. There are three main types of indoor lighting to consider and, ideally, each room will include all of them. They are:

1. Ambient:- Also known as general lighting, ambient light fills the majority of the room and allows you to move around safely. It usually comes from recessed lighting, track lighting, or wall-mounted fixtures.
2. Accent:- Accent lighting is used to highlight a particular focal point, such as a piece of wall art. Picture lights, wall-mounted-fixtures or track lighting are common, and dimmers are often used on these features to provide mood lighting.
3. Task:- As the name suggests, task lights are used to assist you in completing a particular function. This could be anything from desk lamps to pendant lights that hang over a kitchen island.

Placement

Where you place your light fixture will determine the amount of light you get. Similarly, the location of your kitchen items also determines the amount of light you need. For instance, you need large light fixtures over your kitchen table. But ensure that the light doesn't fall too low over the table. Leave 35 to 40 inches above your kitchen table when placing your fixtures. With this, you can easily pass food or do other things without being disturbed by the lighting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selecting the right lighting fixtures for your kitchen can be a challenging task, but it is important to consider several factors such as the size, layout, and style of your kitchen. Before picking out new fixtures, it is essential to plan and decide on a focal point in your kitchen, as well as adding mood lighting for ambience. Knowing your options for different types of lighting and their placement can help you create a well-lit and functional space. By considering these factors, you can strike a balance between functional lighting and creating a welcoming atmosphere in your kitchen.