Kitchen Lighting Tips for Function & Aesthetic

If used correctly, lighting should be able to both fulfil a purpose and bring you pleasure; they are definitely not mutually exclusive, even if you have been led to believe that they are. Who says that a particular lighting option can’t be functional and aesthetically pleasing? Of course, it can. You just need to know how to go about creating the right atmosphere with your chosen lighting.

5 Ways to Lighten Up Your Kitchen

When it comes to the kitchen, most people want to be able to utilise the space to cook as well as to entertain, so it is vital that you achieve the perfect balance of function and aesthetics. Keep reading our blog for kitchen lighting tips to find out how to get it right!

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1. Define Different Areas Using Lighting

If you have a large, open plan kitchen, then you most likely use one area for the majority of the cooking and cleaning and another for casual dining or entertaining. Utilise lighting to define these different areas but make sure that you use the correct type of lighting to complement each section.

Go for spotlights in the cooking area to create a bright and functional space (the more the merrier), whereas pendant lights are ideal for hanging over an island or dining table to create a softer and more relaxed ambience.

2. Don’t Confine Your Lighting

Many fall into the trap of simply adding lighting fixtures to the ceiling, but in the kitchen, there are so many other places that you can use lighting effectively. Why not add some cabinet lights to transition the mood from day to night in your kitchen? Alternatively, install some LED strips under your worktops to create a modern and contemporary look.

3. Think about Areas You Want to Obscure

In the same way that you want to highlight certain areas such as an inviting island or stunning glassware cabinet, there are areas within the kitchen that you do not want your guests to be drawn to such as the sink and bin area.
Make sure that you limit lighting in these areas or utilise a dimmer switch in your ceiling lights so that you can obscure these features when needed.

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4. Take Natural Light into Consideration

There is nothing nicer than natural light streaming through your kitchen windows when you are sitting down to your morning coffee, so make sure you think about this when planning your lighting.

Many people design their kitchen with the sink area underneath a window so that they can utilise natural light as well as look at the scenery while doing this boring task. Task lighting is the best option for these spaces as it is functional and targeted.

5. Embrace Colour

Long gone are the days when lighting had to be industrial looking; people are now embracing bold and bright colours to inject more of their personality into their lighting choices.

Always try to match your chosen colours to the style of your kitchen such as a bright red shade or metallic colour for a modernly styled room and a more classic glass look for a country-style kitchen.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting, you may be surprised at what you can create!