Below you'll find some great lighting ideas for the kitchen.
Eleven lighting-design tips to make an open-plan kitchen both functional and elegant.
By Philip H. Blosser | Sr. Lighting Designer | Blosser Lighting | Harrisonburg, Va.
A. Pendant lights over the eating area help define the space in this otherwise open-plan kitchen.
B. Different fixture types — pendants and recessed — help distinguish the eating and cooking areas from each other. The recessed lights can be turned off at mealtime to hide the mess.
C. Space recessed lights 3 to 4 inches into the space over the countertop to provide shadow-free task lighting.
D. Use black baffles in recessed fixtures to absorb reflective light that would otherwise create glare similar to that from surface-mounted lights.
E. At the sink, locate recessed lights closer to the wall than elsewhere in the kitchen. This creates a shadowfree workspace where one tends to lean in against the counter.
F. Place controls at points of entry and in places where they easy to reach should a change of task call additional lighting.
G. Lutron Decora dimmers fade to off and dim at either end for maximum function and elegance.
H. Low-volt linear undercabinet lighting provides even light distribution for both tasks and display, and can be dimmed to help create a mood.
I. To create that furniture look, avoid a symmetrical pattern based on room dimensions. Instead, center recessed ceiling lights on cabinet doors so that the cone of light defines a vignette of top and bottom cabinets.
J. Lights placed behind the door jambs and midway between shelves maintain even light distribution and allow for use of solid wood shelving.
K. Properly installed plug mold mounted to the underside of the wall cabinets hides the receptacles, which can be spaced at 6 or 12 inches.
