The Three Basic Types of Lighting for Your Kitchen

More than any other room in your home, the kitchen requires the most thoughtfully considered lighting. A single light fixture won't do it.

 A kitchen should be light and pleasant to be in, but it also needs to be functional. Whether you are an avid cook or someone who only breaks out a cutting board every once in a while, you need lighting that will not only look good but will also help you get all of your cooking, cleaning, or whatever else you do, done.

Kitchens need a combination of different types of lighting. As in any other room in your house, several principles apply. A combination of ambient, accent, and task lighting creates a balanced environment and allows for flexibility and control over the mood in the room.

Ambient Lighting (General/Overall)

This type of lighting fills the room with general light. It is a combination of natural lighting from windows or skylights and artificial light. It is necessary to understand that ambient lighting is not achieved with decorative lighting such as pendant fixtures. The specific lighting needed are referred to as recessed down lights or flush mounted fixtures. They are recessed into the ceiling or installed onto the surface. These fixtures would be placed so that they even out the overall lighting in the room and fill in the lesser lit areas.

Reflective light can also improve the overall ambient lighting by illuminating the surface of wall and tall cabinetry. This is done by placing fixtures approximately 18”– 24” away, depending on your ceiling height. This creates a downwash effect that illuminates the room, adds dimension, and calls attention to cabinet details.

Accent Lighting

While this type of light is considered to be decorative, it also adds another facet of illumination. It creates interest in the room and punctuates various details in the space. Accent lighting fixtures include pendants, chandeliers, and wall sconces. They can be located on ceilings, over islands, or mounted on walls. This is where you get to express the style and character of your kitchen. With a tremendous selection to choose from, it is truly the jewelry in the room.

Another accent lighting approach is to illuminate various areas of your kitchen where you would like to add visual attention. Accent lighting fixtures come in a range of types; typically they are low voltage or LEDs. They can be placed on the inside of cabinets or shelving units to highlight decorative or functional objects. Another interesting way to add dimension to your kitchen is to apply an LED strip lighting system under the base cabinets at the toe kick area that will give off a glow and the appearance of a floating cabinet. This additional lighting can be used when the kitchen is not in use and adds a nice low light ambiance. 

Task Lighting

It is exactly that! This lighting is the third essential type of lighting that you need in your kitchen. Task lighting fixtures are placed in locations that allow you to complete tasks such as cooking, cleaning, crafting, or anything that requires you to function in your kitchen. Under cabinet lighting is the specific type of fixture used. Typically they are discreetly mounted behind a decorative molding at the bottom of the wall cabinetry. The surface where a task is being performed is illuminated so the source is not noticed. These fixtures come in a variety of types, ranging from low voltage incandescent puck light fixtures to LED strip light fixtures.

Contact us today to discuss your kitchen lighting needs.