Ideas and Advice for Lighting Your Kitchen

When it comes to home lighting, few areas are as important as your kitchen. These locations are designed to not only accommodate a number of people at a time, but to also allow you to complete the complex task of cooking meals. Though, traditionally, kitchens only used a single light in the center of the ceiling, this is far from enough for any homeowner to utilize them to their fullest potential. Use these ideas and advice for lighting your kitchen to ensure that this space is all that you need—and deserve to have.

Considerations for Choosing Kitchen Lighting

The process of lighting a kitchen can be incredibly intricate for those doing it for the first time. From the placement of certain fixtures to the types of lightbulbs you’re going to use, there are a lot of things to think about as you design it. As such, we’ve compiled this short list of things to consider as you move forward with your planning.

Functionality

First and foremost, it’s crucial to think about the overall function you want your kitchen to serve. The lighting will be what allows you to accomplish all your desired tasks. However, you can’t properly design this space if you don’t already have a few activities in mind. Ask yourself what you’ll specifically be using your kitchen for. Your answers will greatly influence your choices in fixture going forward.

Functionality also has to do with proper lighting placement. In fact, having this knowledge ahead of time will best narrow down your options in all the essential areas. Whether it be the ceiling, over your island, or even underneath the cabinets, determining where you’ll be doing the work will help you prioritize your task zones.

Style and Mood

Another thing you should keep in mind during the planning process is the style and mood you want to create. Looks might not be everything, but you still want to be able to enjoy the space you’re working so hard to build. Incorporating a personal style and welcoming atmosphere through your lighting choices is the best way to accomplish this. Lighting color and saturation are two particularly important aspects to remember for this step.

Efficiency

Make sure you think about overall lighting efficiency as well. Kitchens use a lot of energy and these bills can quickly add up if you aren’t being careful. Fortunately, newer lighting fixtures are made to be compatible with more energy-efficient light bulbs. So, as you’re picking certain models, double check how much energy they use to run and how long they’ll typically last with regular use. Doing this now can save you ample time and money later down the line.

Popular Kitchen Lighting Ideas

Now that you know what to keep in mind during your planning, you can start gathering some inspiration. While you want your kitchen to be unique and capable of accommodating your specific needs, it doesn’t hurt to get an understanding of what’s worked for other homeowners. These are some popular kitchen lighting trends for certain areas and why they’re effective.

For Your Ceilings

Ceiling fixtures are crucial for establishing a solid foundation of ambient lighting within a space. In kitchens, a few options for this include installing a singular ceiling bulb light or several, smaller recessed lights. Recessed lighting is beloved for its ability to maximize space in a tighter room. However, ceiling bulbs provide a more traditional look.

For Under Your Cabinets

When it comes to task lighting, on the other hand, you’ll need something a bit more direct like disk or string lights that focus light downward. Under your cabinets is a great place for these lights because your countertops are the primary stations for cooking. They’ll help you see while you’re working so that you can make the most of every inch of room.

For Your Kitchen Island

Kitchen islands also use task lighting. However, they don’t often possess an upper surface to plant fixtures on. As such, these areas tend to benefit the most from large pendants or chandeliers suspended from the ceiling. These fixtures will also direct light downward and properly illuminate the entire workspace.

For the Kitchen Table

Finally, for the kitchen table, you’ll often require something that accents the space and brings it into focus. Single glass pendants work well here because they’re slenderer in shape and provide just enough light without overwhelming the eyes. You can use a chandelier for this area as well, if you want to add a touch of sophistication.

Additional Kitchen Lighting Tips

A list of ideas and advice for lighting your kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a few additional tips. As mentioned previously, there’s a lot that goes into developing a lighting plan for a kitchen and it’s the time you spend researching your options that make it go smoother. This is why you must always plan out how you want your lighting before you commit to certain fixtures.

Once you do start buying your desired fixtures, it’s vital to keep in mind that you aren’t limited to one specific design or brand. In fact, it’s recommended that you even mix up certain styles to create a unique contrast. This is how homeowners create a design that’s personalized to them while still incorporating the strengths of existing aesthetics.

Lastly, make sure that you hire a professional for the actual installation process. While many of us want to consider ourselves DIYers, messing with electrical systems can be incredibly dangerous. This is especially the case in highly-powered areas like the kitchen. So, reach out to a trusted electrician and have them install each of your new fixtures. Not only will this keep you safe, but it’ll also ensure the highest-quality results.

At Bicycle Glass Co., it’s important to us that each of our customers receive the perfect lighting fixtures for their homes. Whether it be for a kitchen, bathroom, or even a living room remodel, all of our products are designed to be as effective as they are beautiful in any chosen space. So, in taking the time to browse our stock of hand-blown pendant lights and semi-flush ceiling fixtures, we guarantee you’ll find something for you. For more information about our products and how we make them, feel free to give us a call or visit our main website.