The kitchen is an area in a home that is used A LOT. We all know that if the kitchen is conducive, the party will end up there all night! Lights can keep the mood up or down, they can make you feel invited or unwanted. In a kitchen, there are so many options even as to where to put the lights; let alone the type and style of light. In a kitchen there can be under cabinet lighting, top of the cabinet lights (back light), pot lights, surface mounted fixtures, and pendant fixtures, just to name a few! I will explain how each type will affect your kitchen so that you are able to make an educated decision as to what type of lighting is right for you.
IN DETAIL:
Under cabinet lighting is beautiful, and creates an overall warm touch. It also helps keep your workspace lit and safe. Even better, it will make your counter top sparkle, giving your kitchen a immaculate appearance. A clean kitchen makes all the food that comes out more inviting!
Top cabinet lighting (rope lighting) is a great way to keep the kitchen lit when you are NOT in it. It creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere without direct light. It is a perfect solution in an open concept home when you are sitting in the room NEXT to the kitchen, but do not want to leave the over head lights on. The best part- it is fairly easy to install yourself!
Pot lights are a fantastic solution to use in a kitchen of any size. They provide a flood beam of light that creates a warm, cozy overall light. Now a day, most home owners are switching from one surface mounted light in the center of the kitchen to pot lights EQUALLY spaced. There are a variety of pot lights available with different beam spreads (distance the light is casted). So do your research and make sure that 1) you have enough light (but not too much) and 2) that you are using the RIGHT pot light for what you need and for the look you want to achieve.
FYI: Pot lights should be at least 4 feet apart from each other.
Surface mounted fixtures are a very quick solution to a lighting issue. As I mentioned, most home owners today are taking down those dated t-bar dropped ceilings with the incandescent tube lighting and replacing with either a surface mounted light, pot lights, or a combination of the two. Watch again for you ceiling heights and the drop of the fixture…you do not want something anything less than 7’-6” clearance below the light.
Pendant fixtures are perfect over an island or peninsula. They hang straight down on thin strings and light up the area, making it the perfect place to have a snack and read a paper. One thing to strongly consider with pendant fixtures is the height in which they will hang at- you do not want to smack your head on the light every time you go to prepare a sandwich. I recommend for pendant fixtures to try to find one that uses halogen bulbs, and they have a very natural colour, opposed to the standard incandescent bulbs.