Where to Start
In the kitchen, it is important that certain areas have enough light such as the sink, the area where you work to make the meals and the dining area. If you are looking for mood lighting, you can install lights under your cabinets or even inside them so that finding that all important ingredients is easier. Before you make any changes, take a look around the kitchen and decide where you would like more accent and more light.
When you are ready to go shopping for new kitchen lighting, it is wise to take a picture of the room along with you to the store. This will help you to decide if the lighting or fixtures you choose will blend well with your décor.
If your kitchen is large, you might think about installing track lighting. This can give your kitchen a modern feel as well as an abundance of light. Using a dimmer switch in conjunction with track lighting can allow you to change the setting making it as bright as you would like, and then when dinner is through, you can lower the lights giving the room a more relaxed feel.
Lighting the Cabinets
Using lighting in or around your cabinets can make a dramatic statement. If your cabinets are made of plexi-glass or any other see through material, it can make your cabinets a focal point of the room. A more practical approach to cabinets and lighting is to place lighting beneath the cabinets to add a little flair. You can light underneath your cabinets with cost conscious plug-ins or battery operated fixtures.
Common Mistakes
It is important that you choose proper lighting for your needs. Many people fail to ask those who are experienced and knowledgeable about lighting their advice and in turn can have some great lighting that creates a blanket of light, but does nothing to illuminate the area where you will be doing most of the preparation for the meal. If you are not familiar with any aspect of lighting, you would be well advised to speak to an expert before you make any final decisions.
Take a trip to your local lighting store and be sure you bring pictures of your current kitchen. If you are doing a full remodeling, explain the changes that you expect the kitchen to have and ask about the best sources of light for each area.
You will also have to factor in how much space there is between the ceilings and your cabinets and how tall the ceiling is. Other factors that may influence your lighting choices are the size of the room and where the doors are located.
Maybe a House Call is in Order
Finding a local light specialist in your area and seeing if they can make a house call can make planning for your kitchen lighting easier. If the expert can see the actual space and hear your ideas for change, he can better guide you to the proper lighting that will make the most impact in your kitchen.
Taste is Important Too
You may want a new chandelier over the dining area and perhaps track lighting over the sink. It is important to purchase lighting that you will be happy with for a long time and blends well with the rest of the décor. If your kitchen is French Country and you choose a modern lighting option, it will give the room an imbalanced feel.
It is also not recommended that you simply choose the latest fads in kitchen lighting. Fads fade fast, but you will be stuck with your kitchen lighting for many years. Choosing kitchen lighting that is easy on the eyes and pretty to see can be a tough job. If you do your research and ask the experts, you will save your valuable time. Doing a lot of comparison shopping when it comes to kitchen lighting can save you money too. It has never been easer to compare prices since the advent of the internet. You can practically do all your research and shopping from home using your computer or if you prefer, go to a lighting store and see what they have available.
