Kitchen lighting that creates a sensational setting

When thinking about your dream kitchen, what comes to mind? Sleek worktops and funishings? Top-of –the-range appliances? An ergonomic design? We’re pretty sure all these things rank highly in your list of priorities but did you know that kitchen lighting should also be a key consideration during your design project? If applied correctly,, it also allows the kitchen to adapt easily to suit your different needs, requirements and moods.

Planning your kitchen lighting

Knowing where to start with kitchen lighting is not as hard as it seems. You need to begin by asking yourself how lighting can be employed as a way to make your kitchen a more functional and enjoyable space. You may choose under-cabinet lighting to make food preparation easier, multiple light level settings to give you bright light and dim mood lighting when you need it most, decorative lighting to accentuate your kitchen design, or one of the other great options available. Today on the blog, we’re going to explore some of the most popular types of lighting that are guaranteed to give your kitchen real wow-factor.

Practical preparation

Under-cupboard lighting is well hidden and stops your shadow obscuring the worktop – ensuring chopping and cooking can be done safely, without shadows. The latest LED products are a great choice as they have less heat output – which saves money and prevents cupboards and food becoming too warm.

For the hob area it’s a good idea to choose an extractor with four or more halogen lights, and if you plan on using your kitchen island for food prep too, think about highlighting it with pendant lamps combined with recessed downlighters.

Delightful dining

Open plan kitchens often require a multitude of different lighting requirements – adequate brightness for eating and softer lighting for social areas and after-dinner conversation. Dining tables will benefit from a series of overhead pendant lamps that can be moved up or down when needed, while lamps and wall lights in the more social spaces will create a warm glow that helps set the mood. Layering the light by using a number of different sources lends a more three-dimensional feel and helps create the mood you want – from the feeling of bright daylight, to an intimate atmosphere over dinner.

Calming colours

Adding colour changing mood lighting can have dramatic results on the overall feel of your kitchen. With the changing colours you’ll be able to create the mood you want – from cool to warm to complement the occasion – whether it’s entertaining friends or dinner for two. Other exciting ideas include colour changing backlit glass splashbacks and light strips beneath the worktop on an island unit.

To find out how Kitchen Design Centre can help you to plan and design your dream kitchen and ambient lighting, drop into one of our showrooms. You’ll find us in Blackburn, Colne and Manchester.

What lighting have you incorporated into your kitchen design and why? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @ModernKitchens