Lighting is sometimes disregarded, despite the fact that it is one of the most crucial aspects of good interior design. Poor lighting will make a kitchen seem "wrong," regardless of how high-quality the materials are, harmonized the color palette is, or imaginative and well-executed your theme is.
Your kitchen feels sterile and uninviting when lit by brisk, frigid overhead lighting. Uneven placement will result in dark blotches in certain areas and "pooling" of light in others. Even if using just soft, low-level lighting can create a peaceful ambiance, cooking and cleaning will be more difficult.
While minimizing difficulties and drawing attention away from any unfinished components, clever lighting choices bring out the best in any kitchen by highlighting favorite features and statement design decisions. Whether you're making a meal, hosting guests, or just unwinding, a well-lit kitchen is one you'll like spending time in.
It's critical to comprehend how lighting functions within a home before making any decisions. There are three standard forms of illumination in a home, regardless of the space.
- Task Lighting
Task lighting is exactly what it sounds like: useful, concentrated, bright illumination intended to assist you in performing your tasks. It is used in kitchens to light up counters and other high-traffic parts of the space. Remember that being functional need not be dull; in fact, bright lighting strips and well-lit places offer a lovely contrast with the kitchen's more subdued elements.
Bright LED strip lights over the sink and worktops in this moody kitchen maintain practicality while bringing lightness to the darker hues.
Task lighting comes in fixed and adjustable varieties. The most popular lighting fixtures that direct light to areas that need it most are countertop spotlights and pendant lights over a sink or dining table. Another common type of lighting is directional track lighting, where the position of each light on a ceiling fixture may be changed to suit the requirements of the space.
- Natural lighting
Ambient lighting, often referred to as general lighting, aims to spread an even, homogeneous glow across a space; it is the kind of light that is most frequently activated by turning on a light switch. Ambient lighting is adaptable and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including wall sconces, valance lighting, track lighting, ceiling lamps, chandeliers, and recessed ceiling lights.
Consider ambient light as the structure on which your entire lighting plan is based. Although it's not the most interesting component, doing it properly is essential if you want to attain beautiful results.
- Added illumination
The most artistic type of lighting is accent lighting, which is also the most difficult to execute successfully. Always keep in mind that less is usually more! There are a variety of other methods to add accents outside the obvious lighting that creates ambience and mood in a space.
In your kitchen, good accent lighting will highlight any artwork, ornaments, or bold design decisions while simultaneously drawing attention away from anything that detracts from the space's overall appeal. You may rapidly alter the ambiance of your kitchen by using lights that are dimmable or adjustable. Even by itself, lighting may provide captivating visual effects and focal points.
In a wonderfully illuminated contemporary kitchen, the cabinets' downward-facing lights illuminate the contents while they are open and provide a dramatic pattern when they are closed.
Ending Thoughts
These aren't absolute classifications; for instance, a chandelier may illuminate the area around a dining table and serve as accent lighting to change the ambiance of the space when used with a dimmer switch. A tabletop may be illuminated by adjustable lights one minute, and a favorite vase the next. Don't get too caught up in the technical jargon; instead, think about how the space is utilized, what you want to emphasize, what you want to distract from, and how you want your kitchen to feel. When you do them, all of the lighting you require will be included organically.
Still confused about the lighting and having trouble to decide between the colors? We get it. At
EA Home Design we help thousands of homeowners achieve their dream look of their house by listening to them and bringing their vision to life. Reach out to us and let us know how we can help you.
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