Kitchen Lighting Style Guide
When it comes to running your home, the kitchen is the beat keeping it together. Lighting plays a huge part in the efficiency, viewing and presentation of this space. There are three types of lighting that can be used in tandem to highlight your kitchen, accent, ambient, task and dim lighting. The purpose for adding lights will impact the strategy you should use. Here’s what you need to know about your options.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting can be found in smaller spaces, casting shine to more overlooked spaces in your home. These are generally smaller and aren’t meant to light up the whole room, instead they bring attention to targeted areas that are usually harder to see. For example, accent lights can be installed by kitchen drawers to help brighten the interior without forcing the larger overhead bulbs to turn on. They can also be used in cabinets to illuminate the back walls so you can not only see where all your precious items are, but notify you have reached the space allotted. Accent lights are also super useful at the bottom of your cabinets and the toe kicks. This defines the space for you, ridding the chances of racking your foot or knee on the corners or bottom of the cabinet.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is used to brighten your entire kitchen space. Use ambient lighting to delicately add glow to the whole room without using the main source. While helping characterize your kitchen, it gives you the assistance to clean, cook and entertain. This type of lighting can come from chandeliers, sunlight by adding skylights, hanging lights, flush-mounted lighting and recessed lighting. The type of lighting needed is dependent on the size of your home and the necessity for the amount of illumination.
Task Lighting
Task lighting, similar to accent lighting, has the job of lighting up the activities taking place in the kitchen. Doing homework, prepping to cook or bake, reading recipes or books, or helping you find ingredients. These lights can also be integrated into your drawers and cabinets to accent the smaller spaces in your kitchen.
Make it Bright or Dim it Down
Incorporating dimmers will create the ultimate comfort zone. Giving more of a warm, fuzzy feeling, dimmed lights provide relief after a long day. Feeling cozy isn’t the only benefit though. Being able to control your lighting also aids in taking command of your electric bills. The dimming of lights can also alter the entire look of your home. That’s because the brightness of the light impacts how your cabinets and countertops look. Using all types of lights will greatly alter your homes appearance based on the way they are being used, giving you a renewed space without the extra work.
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