Let’s face it: homes need lighting in some shape or form. But having a well-lit interior space is more than just having light fixtures present.
Proper lighting should be strategically placed to allow you to get the most out of your space. What’s more, different types of lighting should be incorporated to achieve the best results possible.
Because we believe in the power of ample lighting, we’d love to guide you through the importance of illumination in a kitchen. We’ll delve into different types of kitchen lighting, examples of each, and how they play a role in your kitchen space.
Ambient Lighting
This is the most crucial type of lighting in a kitchen. Ambient lighting refers to the general illumination of a space and is one of the first things people notice about a room. It helps people safely and effectively navigate the space and can even help set the mood.
Ambient lighting may include:
- Recessed lights
- Flush-mount ceiling fixtures
- Semi-flush-mount ceiling fixtures
Task Lighting
The intent of task lighting in a kitchen is to provide extra illumination to get tasks completed properly. Task lights are often installed over prep/cook areas or above barstool seating in a kitchen.
Task lighting may include:
- Pendant lights
- Under-cabinet lighting
- Track lighting
Accent Lighting
If you have special features or architectural elements you want to bring attention to in your kitchen, accent lighting can do exactly this. You might wish to highlight your backsplash, a picture hung in your kitchen, or your crown molding.
Accent lighting may include:
- LED strips
- Picture lights
- Spotlights
Decorative Lighting
The primary intent of decorative lighting isn’t just to add illumination to a space. It mainly serves as an aesthetic element in itself. These fixtures can add beauty, elegance, or character to your kitchen.
Decorative lighting may include:
- Chandeliers
- Lantern pendant lights
- Vintage fixtures
Natural Lighting
While natural lighting isn’t always an option in every kitchen, when it’s possible, it can serve an essential role. Allowing natural light to flow in can help you save on your electric bill and bring peaceful, genuine illumination into your space.
Consider adding reflective surfaces like light colors, a mirror, or glossy tiles to help bring in natural lighting even more into your kitchen.
Natural lighting may include:
- Skylights
- A glass door
- Clerestory windows
Specialty Lighting
Just when you thought we covered every type of lighting for a kitchen, you discover there’s such a thing as specialty lighting. Specialty lighting can be a type of decorative lighting or can even serve a function, but it tends to differ from the norm.
Specialty lighting may include:
- Drawer or cabinet lights
- Toe-kick lights under cabinets
- Color-changing lighting
With so many different types of kitchen lighting, all with different functions, your head might be spinning. How do you select the right types of lighting, let alone the right fixtures? How much lighting do you really need? How do you coordinate all the different types of lighting together without botching your interior design?
Don’t worry – you can leave the lighting to Build BLVD. Call our construction company today for help with your kitchen remodel.
