The kitchen is often one of the main hubs of a home for the entire family. With open floor plans all the rage these days, the kitchen is often open to both the dining and main living areas. With so much family interaction, along with food preparation and entertaining guests during special occasions, it is important to select the right lighting features for all these various functions. Ambiance is important, but so is safety, as well as showing off the features of a beautifully decorated kitchen area. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the key factors that come into play when designing the perfect lighting system for the kitchen.
Safety First
The kitchen is not a good place for setting a cozy mood through the use of low lighting. However, that doesn’t mean a homeowner must resign themselves to unattractive fluorescent lighting either. Consider the areas where food preparation will typically occur and make sure these areas are well-lit in order to dispel any shadowy areas. LED strip lighting underneath cabinets helps to illuminate these common prep areas, along with track lighting over a kitchen island.
Add a Layer of Ambiance
While safety is critical when it comes to kitchen lighting, it is also important to add some lighting features to create just the right sense of ambiance throughout the kitchen. Creating a warm and inviting environment for the kitchen area helps a house feel like a home. Consider adding downlights around the perimeter of the kitchen and/or pendant lighting above eating areas, whether it is a more formal area such as a kitchen table, or a countertop with bar stools.
Use Accent Lighting
Many homeowners have open shelving or glass cabinets for displaying favorite dishes or a beautiful piece of sculpture or artwork. Others have a unique backsplash or some other area in the kitchen they would like to highlight. Adding another layer of lighting to specifically showcase these areas, allows homeowners to add focused style to an otherwise utilitarian space.
Want to know more about creating the perfect lighting environment for your kitchen space? Contact us!