February 28, 2011: Can Your Kitchen Renovation Use Some Bright Lighting Ideas?
From ambient lighting to spotlights on food preparation areas to creating the right mood in a dining area, there's a lot to think about when it comes to kitchen lighting. Whether you're doing kitchen remodeling on your own or with a kitchen contractor, this overview of kitchen lighting types should come in handy.
Choosing the Right Lighting for a Kitchen Renovation
Ambient lighting is a good place to start. Every kitchen needs a central fixture to serve as the primary source of illumination. This will usually be less bright than the lighting used over key cooking areas. For maximum versatility, consider installing a dimmer switch so you can adjust the lighting as necessary. Recessed wall lighting or pendant lights can serve the same purpose in modern designs.
You'll also need targeted lighting in specific areas of the kitchen. Accent lights or strategically placed pendant lights can illuminate countertops, stovetops, or a kitchen island. Track lighting is another sleek option for contemporary kitchens. Or, if your cabinets are mounted over your counters, under-cabinet lighting will effectively illuminate your workspace without flooding the rest of the room with too much light.
Lighting Tips for a Successful Kitchen Remodeling
Ready to complete your kitchen renovation with the perfect lighting? We've compiled a few more tips and tricks to ensure you'll get the best possible illumination.
* Mix it up: If you have the option of adding or keeping a skylight, bay windows, or other great sources of natural light, use them to their best advantage. Combining natural and artificial light can create the illusion of a larger kitchen.
* When in doubt, install more: As romantic as a dim kitchen might be, insufficient lighting can actually be a safety issue while you're cooking. Even if you enjoy drinking a glass of wine by moonlight, make sure you have the capability to turn the lights up when you need them.
* Don't go it alone: It might be tempting to install new lighting on your own, and it may be feasible if all you're doing is hanging a new light fixture. But adding new recessed wall lights or track lighting is a job for a local contractor, who will have the expertise to install new wiring in compliance with fire safety regulations.
* Set a budget: Lighting should comprise only a small portion of your kitchen renovation cost. If working with a contractor, get his or her expert guidance on how lighting will fit into the overall estimate on kitchen renovation.
By combining these safety tips with your own design instincts--and having the foresight to find a kitchen contractor if necessary--you'll have a recipe for beautiful, brilliant lighting in your new kitchen remodel.
