Kitchen Lighting Trends to Brighten Up Your Kitchen
As you’ve started to dream of a new and improved kitchen you’ve most likely thought about the cabinet color, the island size, the type of sink, the backsplash, and how to optimize your storage options. Something that probably hasn’t crossed your mind yet is lighting. Although lighting seems like a small piece of the kitchen design, choosing the wrong lighting options can ruin a good design. Types of lighting and light fixtures can transform rooms into radiant, attractive spaces so make sure you spend some time thinking about the types of lighting available for your dream space. Here are a few of the different types of lighting that are popular in kitchens today.
Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are one of the most popular ways to light kitchens because they are extremely versatile. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors so they can fit into really any style you’re looking at for your kitchen design. Pendant lights direct light exactly where you need it so they are great to hang above highly used workspaces like your island or sink to make sure you have optimal lighting for your meal prep.
One of the most common places you’ll see pendant lighting is above the kitchen island. Hang 3 or 4 mini pendants in an evenly spaced row or let your light fixtures be a statement and go with 2 larger pendants—this is becoming quite popular, especially in kitchens with higher ceilings. You’ll also see single pendant lights above kitchen sinks, stoves, or even coffee/wine bars which is great for those early mornings or late nights when all you need is one area of the kitchen.
Cabinet Lighting
Under cabinet lighting is becoming more and more popular. Although under cabinet lighting is not technically about the aesthetics of the lights themselves, the light that illuminates from them can make a world of difference in your kitchen’s ambiance. Having that soft glow from underneath your kitchen cabinets when all the other lights are off can give your kitchen a feeling of warmth and luxury. They are also a great way to show off and highlight your new backsplash or countertops. Beyond that, under cabinet lights can help maintain safety in your kitchen by shining on your prep areas as your body might get in the way of overhead or ceiling lights behind your back. Underlit cabinets are a great option for task lighting and come in energy-efficient options too so you can have them on constantly and not worry about high electricity use.
Lighting on the interior of kitchen cabinets is also a luxurious look that you might consider if you have cabinets with glass doors on them. Illuminating the cabinets that store your beautiful dishware, glassware, or even china is a great way to draw your guest’s eye to the best part of your kitchen design and show off your personal style all at the same time.
Recessed Lights
Recessed lights are not really a trend, but more of a staple of home design and construction. They are a functional fixture that can provide a well-diffused general light to your entire kitchen rather than the focused, direct light that pendants or under cabinet lighting provide. They are best for adding a blanket of light to your entire space and work great in conjunction with task and accent lighting. It’s best practice not to rely solely on recessed lighting in your kitchen as this can create a somewhat boring design and is not the best type of light for all situations. However, they are a great first layer of lighting that would be a great addition to your space if you don’t already have them.
Monorail Lighting
Monorail lighting (or track lighting as you may know it) is basically like a functional sculpture for your ceiling. You can shape and turn the metal tracks into graceful curves or sharp corners so that it fits your kitchen’s layout perfectly. They come in a variety of materials and colors so you are sure to find one that fits your kitchen’s aesthetic. If your kitchen has taller ceilings, they are an excellent way to draw the eye up and give your ceiling a design element worth highlighting. They are most popular in industrial or modern designs, but you could use them in any type of kitchen design.
Ultimately, kitchen lighting can make or break your kitchen design. With the endless amounts of styles out there, it can be overwhelming trying to decide on how to light your kitchen. Evaluate how you spend your time in the kitchen. Decide which areas could use the most light and which areas would look better with soft, ambient light. Consider which features you want to make into a focal point. And pay attention to how different lighting fixtures and designs will look in the context of your kitchen’s aesthetic. Of course, you don’t have to do this all alone. Kitchen Solvers is here to help with all your kitchen design choices from the lighting to the backsplash to the storage solutions. Contact your local Kitchen Solvers today to start making your kitchen dreams come true.
Back