When you're designing your kitchen it's so easy to get carried away picking out all the pretty appliances, colour schemes and the different bits of furniture. However, be careful not to neglect your kitchen lighting design because the consequences can be quite serious.
Sometimes it's only when you fit that last appliance or lay that last floor tile that you realise there's something not quite right. Then you look up to the ceiling and see that one bare light bulb hanging down and realise where you've gone wrong. It's essential that you incorporate lighting into your kitchen design right from the start to ensure your finished kitchen has that immediate impact. It only takes a small amount of time and effort to get the lighting scheme for your kitchen right and is definitely worth it in the long run.
The first consideration should always be the size and shape of your room. If you only have a small box then that one light bulb bang in the middle might be all you need. However, for larger kitchens or kitchens that have a more unique shape you have to examine where you need to position lights to ensure the whole room is bright enough. Even with the smaller rooms, there might be an area that doesn't get enough light because of the positions of your furniture. Getting your room analysis done is the first step towards a well lit kitchen.
There are numerous solutions for lighting a kitchen properly which can make choosing the right one a confusing process. It really comes down to your personal taste and how much effort you want to go to. Instead of having one light in the middle of the room why not get an electrician to fit two lights, one at each end of the room. This will ensure that light flows into every corner and crevice of your kitchen. Alternatively, you can have small spotlights running up and down in rows or dotted around in scattered positions. This achieves the same effect but can look a lot neater because you don't have anything hanging down from the ceiling.
Task lighting is a buzz phrase in kitchen lighting design right now and most modern kitchens incorporate this idea. Task lights are small bulbs that you fit on the walls above your worktops making it easier to carry out tasks in your kitchen. They can also create a nice ambiance if you're trying to create a warm and inviting space.
Another place you can add lighting to is the bottom of your kitchen furniture. A lot of people find that putting small spotlights just above the floor level creates a really nice glow to a kitchen, as well as making a feature of their lighting system.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you consider all your options and consult a skilled electrician to carry out the work.
There's more information on kitchen lighting design at the Kitchen Design Site.
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