Kitchens aren’t just for cooking, they’re often the spot where people gather in the home. Whether you’re looking for better lighting for your cooking tasks or want to create a more welcoming space for friends and family, here are some tips for better kitchen lighting.
Since no single fixture will provide all the light necessary for kitchen lighting tasks, try adding layers. Use the main overhead light with layers of smaller lights placed in areas for various tasks, such as near a food prep station, over the stove, and above the kitchen sink. Adding layers will also help cut down on glare.
Properly placed task kitchen lighting will provide just the right illumination for tasks such as reading recipes and prepping vegetables. The best place for task lighting is between the work surface and a person’s head, so lighting placed under cabinets is ideal. And strip lights are a popular choice for this space.
Adding light dimmer switches in the kitchen makes sense because bright illumination makes tasks easier, while dimmed lights help with ambiance after the meal. Adding separate kitchen lighting dimmers for each fixture will help you customize the lighting for the situation.
Accent kitchen lighting gives depth and dimension to your space. For example, if you have a cabinet to store decorative glassware or a china collection, find the right type of LED light for space. And rope lights and puck lights are popular for this type of cabinet lighting.