When it comes to lighting design, the kitchen is one of the most important places to get it right. You don’t want to be left chopping in the dark or squinting over your recipe book!
Beyond safety and functionality, kitchen lighting is also important for aesthetic purposes. In the world of real estate, kitchens are now considered the most valuable room of the home, and for good reason. The kitchen is the place where people gather, spend quality time together, and find nourishment.
We put together these bright ideas to help you explore your many kitchen lighting options and get inspired.
Introduction to Kitchen Lighting Ideas
One way to think about lighting in your kitchen is to divide it into several categories based on the purpose of the lighting: task lighting, decorative lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting, etc. Task lighting helps illuminate your different workstations, decorative lighting adds some flair, ambient lighting makes the room more inviting, and accent lighting draws attention to art or other focal points of your kitchen.
Brighten Things Up With LED Kitchen Lighting
You may want to consider incorporating some LED lighting into your kitchen. LED bulbs use 75-80% less energy than traditional bulbs and can help lower your electricity costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Although they are slightly more expensive up front, they can last up to 50,000 hours and save you money in the long run. Not only that, they are brighter than other types of lighting.
Have Fun With Kitchen Island Lighting
If you have a larger kitchen with an island, you’ll definitely want to add some lighting overhead. With more wide-open space available above the island, this is a great place for more decorative light fixtures that make a statement. Hanging pendant lights are incredibly popular and come in a wide range of sizes and styles. Whatever you choose, make sure the decorative lighting is proportionate to the size of your kitchen; for example, a huge chandelier would look totally out of place in a teeny tiny kitchen.
You can also go more practical with your island lighting and incorporate overhead lighting into a hanging oven range, as seen below. This can help create a more industrial or modern look.
Keep it Simple With Kitchen Track Lighting
Track lighting is a simple yet effective lighting solution for kitchens. Track lighting involves a track that is mounted directly to the wall or ceiling, allowing for lighting heads to be placed anywhere along the length of the track. Track lighting is typically straight and narrow, though there are also curved and wave track fixtures available. Track lighting heads come in many styles, from hanging pendants to spotlights and more.
Stay on Task With Kitchen Cabinet Lighting
One of the key places for task lighting is underneath your overhead kitchen cabinets. This kind of lighting is very practical as it illuminates an area where you probably do a lot of your chopping, prepping, and recipe-reading. If you add a dimmer switch, under-cabinet lighting can also act as ambient lighting and give your kitchen a warm and inviting glow. Popular options for under-cabinet lighting include strip lights or puck-shaped halogen lights. The fixtures themselves aren’t usually visible, so you don’t need to worry too much about aesthetics here.
Go Natural With Kitchen Sink Lighting
The kitchen sink is one of the best places to focus on natural lighting, if possible. After all, it’s easier to do the dishes when you have a nice window to look out of while you work!
The space above the sink is also a popular spot for a single-hanging pendant light, which can serve both aesthetic and practical purposes. Alternatively, if your sink is positioned below your cabinets, some under-cabinet lighting will do the trick.
Complete the Look With Kitchen Table Lighting
Adding some fun, decorative lights above your kitchen table is another great way to give your kitchen some extra personality. People often go with a single statement fixture, or for longer tables, a series of two or three identical hanging lights.
Need More Kitchen Lighting Ideas or Installation Help?
When you’re ready to install your new kitchen lights, reach out to our Olympia Washington electrician team! Our electrical technicians are highly-trained and experienced in installing lighting fixtures of all kinds. We’ll help brighten up your kitchen with long-lasting and top-quality lighting.
