Kitchen Lighting Ideas and Tips

A New Era of Kitchen Lighting

Over the years, the kitchen has evolved from merely a location for food preparation to a place of eating, congregating and doing homework. It has become a glorified storeroom, a niche in which to watch television and a place to cook everything from scrambled eggs to sushi. Consequently, the kitchen’s lighting needs cannot be compared to those of the bedroom, the bathroom or the playroom. Kitchen lighting must be designed with the user in mind to provide appropriate light in all areas, specifically those that are used the most frequently. Additionally, because kitchen lights are often illuminated for extended periods of time and are among the most frequently used in the home, it is worthwhile to consider long-lasting and energy efficient light options to save money and avoid having to change your light bulbs with irritating frequency.

No longer will one dangling incandescent light bulb properly illuminate the entire kitchen workspace. In today’s age of expanded eat-in kitchens and gourmet cooking, lights are needed throughout the kitchen to provide proper lighting for a plethora of activities that will likely take place in different kitchen stations. Full-size fluorescent lights that are mounted directly under top cabinetry provide a wonderful light for those working at the kitchen counter. Fluorescent lights are considered among the most energy-efficient light bulbs available because they convert much less energy to heat as compared with incandescent bulbs. The result is a cooler, more useful light that requires only 1/3- ¼ as much electricity output as an incandescent bulb. And, while fluorescent bulbs may cost a bit more than a standard incandescent bulb, they generally last 10 to 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs do, making the total costs very comparable. However, fluorescent lights create less of a nuisance as they won’t need to be changed as frequently.

Cabinet mounted lights, however, will probably not provide sufficient light for others who may be sitting at the kitchen table or working at a nearby island. A fluorescent overhead light is a good way to increase the background light in the kitchen in a cost-efficient, energy-saving and brilliant way. Installing task lighting and general lighting with two different light switches will also contribute to a more energy-efficient kitchen, as you will only have to turn on the lights that are needed at a specific time, without wasting energy on lighting in unoccupied areas.

Installing a ceiling fan in your kitchen is another way to provide your kitchen with efficient background light. Ceiling fans are a wonderful way to circulate the air in your kitchen, especially on hot summer days and when the oven is being used. Steam from the stovetop or smoke from accidentally burned food items can be easily ventilated with the help of a ceiling fan. And, even on cool days, the decorative beauty of a ceiling fan will add charm and grace to your work space. Ceiling fans work well over the eating area, or, in smaller kitchens, may be placed as the lighting centerpiece of the room.

There are innumerable ways in which it is possible to illuminate your kitchen with efficiency and style. The first step in the process is to carefully consider how your space is utilized and which areas will need maximum lighting. Once you have decided upon a lighting strategy, it will undoubtedly be exciting to choose fixtures from among thousands of available styles, finishes and designs. At OnTrackLighting.com, we are here to help make these decision making processes more exciting and less stressful. We encourage you to refer to our article guide for more helpful hints about how to choose the proper lighting and fixtures, and to contact us if you have additional questions or concerns at any time.