Well, look no further because, in this guide, we will talk about *everything* kitchen lighting. From start to finish, you’ll learn how to design the perfect kitchen lighting to suit your taste. Let’s get into it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Kitchen](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/kitchenulti-1024x903.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nBefore we get started, let’s clear up some details about the content of this guide and how to use it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I only focus on light design, so this is not an installation guide. Although we will discuss some tips regarding power, cords, and switches, I advise contacting an electrician to help you with the installation processes. I do not give professional advice and you should not attempt to install heavy fixtures or do complicated wiring yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, this guide is made as a generic blueprint that can apply to most kitchens. Perfect lighting can only be achieved if I see your kitchen and speak with you to get a sense of your character, needs, and preferences. However, I’ve done my best to help you understand how light designers think when preparing lighting plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t
- How Can I Achieve Balanced Kitchen Lighting?<\/a>
- What is layering?<\/a>
- Lumens and color temperature<\/a>
- How To Determine Lumens<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How To Create The Perfect Ambient Light<\/a>
- Chandeliers<\/a>
- Recessed can lights<\/a>
- Flush mount lights<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How To Add Task Lighting<\/a>
- How to light your kitchen sink<\/a>
- How to light your kitchen island<\/a>
- How to light your countertop<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How To Add Accent Lighting<\/a>
- Wrapping up<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n
Do go step by step and return to this article after completing each step. This is not mandatory but will certainly help you get a sense of what we’re going for and then allow you to improvise during the final touches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Can I Achieve Balanced Kitchen Lighting?<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWhen we say balanced lighting, we mean lighting that does not overwhelm us and is consistent throughout the room, while at the same time allowing us to focus on one thing at a time without being too intense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is often seamless lighting, so it alters your feelings without you even being able to recognize it. It must be simple and practical but unique and dramatic at the same time. It’s versatile so we can light up the kitchen in several different ways, depending on our needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that sounds complicated or hard to achieve without the help of an expert, fear not because I have one magic word for you: LAYERING!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the above can be easily achieved if you do layering right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is layering?<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nPut really simply, layering is the use of different fixtures and bulbs for different purposes. Many people think that we only need light to be able to see but that’s far from true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three main types of lighting used in layering are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Ambient<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Task<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Accent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ambient light<\/strong> is used for the ambiance of the room. Well, isn’t that helpful?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But really, it’s the main light, the light that illuminates the entire room. Its purpose is to help us see when it’s dark outside, so it should be evenly spread and easy on the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/many-ambient-lights-kitchen-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
A combination of pendants and recessed can lights works great for ambient light!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n Think of the main light source in your kitchen, like a chandelier – that’s your ambient light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Task lighting<\/strong>, as the name suggests, is light used for tasks. For example, in the kitchen, task lighting would be a light source directed to the cooking bench or sink, to help you cut your veggies or do the dishes with ease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nIn such cases, ambient light might not be strong enough, or it might be positioned in a way that you cast a shadow on your working space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Kitchen](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Futuristic-LED-sink-1-683x1024.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
This is a cool example of task lighting that can help you see in specific circumstances, e.g., washing the dishes when the ambient light sources is behind you<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\nAccent lighting<\/strong> is quite special to me because it allows you to add your own personal touches and I love it when people get creative with light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
This would be for example light over some wall art or around your kitchen island to set the mood.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"Modern](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Uplight-shelves-683x1024.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
Up-lighting in shelves is an interesting choice for accent lighting, also practical!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n To make it even more clear, let’s look at the table below to see which common fixtures can be used for each layer of light.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- How to light your kitchen island<\/a>
- Recessed can lights<\/a>
- How To Create The Perfect Ambient Light<\/a>
- Lumens and color temperature<\/a>
- What is layering?<\/a>
![\"White](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Color_temperature_crop-1-1024x516.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/chandeler_modern-1024x678.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/recessed_cans-768x1024.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pendant_sink-683x1024.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Sink](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/sink_kitchen_island-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"LED](\"https:\/\/plottedlights.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/kitchen-counter-LED-strip-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n