Your kitchen is where it all happens – from cooking, baking, and weeknight family dinners to drinks with friends, parties and even homework. You need this vital space to be welcoming, warm, and inviting – so getting the lighting right is really important.
Choosing kitchen lighting that works for every occasion might sound daunting, but we can help you to create the perfect feel, with lots of different ideas to keep your room brightly lit and glowing.
Before you start, decide what the most important parts of your kitchen are. Lighting the whole space is simple, but adding highlights of light where you need more really helps to pull a kitchen together.
If you end up chatting with family at the kitchen island, pendant lighting will create a warm space, with stylish lampshades to make a feature of the lighting. Or maybe you need more practical lighting – like under-cabinet strip lights to light food preparation ideas, and add a bit of brightness to dark corners.
What’s your kitchen atmosphere?
Naturally dark or cramped kitchens should consider using plenty of reflective surfaces – bright, glossy cabinets will help to bounce light back into the room, so make sure you’ve got good lighting in the center of the room to give an even wash of light to the whole space.
In contrast, if you have a dark and moody statement kitchen, you want dramatic lighting to match – while making sure that you have enough light for safe food preparation.
Consider spotlights and hanging lights to make the most of key, well-lit areas without needing to bathe the whole kitchen in artificial light.
The size of your space will also help determine the best lighting for your kitchen. Smaller and more compact kitchens will benefit from strong directional lighting to make sure corners aren’t left in darkness, while large open plan kitchens might need more distinct lighting ‘zones’ to make the most of the space.
Where do you need lighting?
Task lighting is basically wherever you need clear, bright lighting for kitchen jobs like chopping, slicing and dicing, or around your stovetop for when you’re cooking.
This keeps you safe and makes cooking and cleaning easier – think directional under-cabinet lighting strips, or lighting by your range hood. Accent lighting is more about creating a mood through lighting – more subtle light for dining areas, or ambient light in a social area where you don’t need harsh, bright lighting.
An array of pendant lighting over a kitchen island is a great way to add more light, and create a natural space for people to spend time and socialize.
Plan carefully around your kitchen space – your kitchen is a unique space, so your lighting should be too; it’s not a case of one size fits all. If you only have a central light fitting, whenever you’re standing with your back to the light you’ll be in your own shadow.
Think about introducing task lighting for key jobs, and use neutral shades and plenty of white to help reflect the light and diffuse it throughout the room. If you have high ceilings, it can be easy for light to get ‘lost’ – consider uplighters on your cabinets, to help increase the general light levels in the room.
Add personality with lighting
You might not think of lighting as a fun way to add some personality to your kitchen, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to add a splash of color and fun with your light fittings. From industrial-style fixtures to warm copper accents, your fittings can add some real style to your space.
In a more neutral kitchen, consider adding a bright point of interest with fun pendant lighting that matches your personal style. In a country style kitchen, a quirky light fitting in china or painted glass can create a conversation-starter, and you can embrace your classic style with traditional lamps in your dining space.
Even in a more modern kitchen, you can use colored LED strips under cabinets and in footwells to add color and fun – great for quickly switching up the mood, or for creating a casual space for parties with friends.
Make your kitchen the highlight of your home by choosing the best lighting for the space. Create a warm, welcoming space where your family and friends will love to hang out and socialize, and you’ll be happy to spend your time relaxing, cooking or preparing food.
To find out how we can make your dream kitchen a reality, book an appointment with our Wren kitchen experts today, or head on over to our blog for more style inspiration.
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