Kitchen Lighting Planning

Planning where to your kitchen lights is very important and ideally the best way is to put the lights where you want at the beginning, it’s less costly after the kitchen has been installed. Always consult an expert and make sure you budget sufficiently for lighting, there’s no point spending a fortune on a kitchen only for it to be badly lit.  Don’t just put lights  in straight lines, as you might be advised to do by your builder/electrician.  This doesn’t take into consideration the effects that the lights can have on a room and where you need them so that you can work effectively.

Lighting can make all the difference to a kitchen and it is important to get the lighting right.

What kind of lights

Remember different lights do different jobs and you should plan the lighting to reflect the activities of the different areas of the kitchen.

Spotlights work well in kitchens – you can angle them exactly where you need, on work surface, above ovens and hobs, so that you can prepare food safely and the light is directed correctly.

What kind of bulbs?

Halogen are the best bulbs, they show a true white light. The most eco friendly is LED which is more expensive compared to other lights but more economical in the long run because the bulbs last for thousands of hours.

How to choose the right lights and position

Talk to an expert.  If you are choosing a pendant for over a table it depends on the style of the room. It’s all down to taste – a traditional chandelier can look great in a very modern kitchen.

How many lights?

You should have different lights for different tasks.  The perfect height depends on two factors, the height of the people living in the house and the height of the ceilings.

Lighting an Open Plan Kitchen

Open plan kitchens often function as living rooms too. You need to be careful when choosing lights.  Go for powerful wall lights with nothing hanging, except over a table. Halogen or spots might be over the wrong place, be very careful. Lighting a small kitchen

Wall lights work well in a small kitchen, especially ones with little natural light.