Tips for planning kitchen lighting

Image source: istockphoto.com

For most people, the kitchen is one of the busiest and most utilized rooms in the home. As such, it's important that the lighting is conducive to different tasks throughout different times of the day and evening. One fixed-position light won't be sufficient for all needs, nor will having all pendants. According to designers, the best step forward is to blend your lighting, bringing together different options to create an overall lighting solution.

Keep in mind that the most effective lighting for the kitchen involves four layers blended together: task, ambient, accent and decorative lighting.

To determine which type of lighting is needed where, start first with where your natural light is coming from. Do you have a window over your sink? What times of day does the light seem brightest? Identify where lighting is most challenged.

Next, look at how you use your kitchen. Today, the space is often used for tasks beyond fixing meals. It can be a gathering place for eating, socializing, doing homework, catching up on emails, etc. Look at where you are for each task and evaluate the quality of light at different times. For instance, perhaps you have a peninsula that gets great light in the daytime for doing homework but is dim in the evening because other lighting is far away. Maybe you could benefit from a focused light over your sink so you can see what you're doing while washing dishes. Or, perhaps you could use some ambient under-the-counter lighting to ease in visibility at night for those midnight drinks of water.

Last, once you've determined the types of lighting you're working with, and where lighting is needed, you can start to look at types of lights. Working with a designer or kitchen remodel expert can help you find a blend of fixtures that will work with your overall design.

Lighting comes in many forms. You can consider the following:

• Pendant lights
• Chandeliers
• Recessed lights
• Island lights
• Track lighting
• Fixed ceiling lights
• Fluorescent fixtures
• Sconces

As you work on your kitchen remodel, Fort Rock Construction can help you walk through these options to meet your needs best. We've been doing expert kitchen remodels in the Eugene, Springfield, Veneta, and Cottage Grove areas since 2001. Give us a call today to discuss your kitchen remodel 541-767-1611.