The different kinds of kitchen island lighting available today can often be confusing. With the sheer number of possibilities, a visit to a website or large home improvement center can overwhelm someone without a clue as to the kind of lighting they need. A good idea is to use several kinds so that you have different functions and situations all covered when they arise.
Pendant lights have reached a certain level of popularity because of their versatility. With a huge array to choose from, you are sure to find a design or two that suits your kitchen’s existing theme. Aside from the designs, you also have different hanging options. You can opt for cord-hung, chain-hung, or rod-hung pendant lights – with each having its own set of pros and cons as far as look and function goes.
As a kitchen is a place for work, you would want to be able to clearly see what you are doing. Task lighting allows you to light a certain area of the kitchen brightly without wasting electricity lighting other areas intensely – think reading lamp but for your kitchen. These are best installed under overhead cabinets allowing light to fall directly over your countertops.
Don’t forget to put in ambient lighting to set the mood for your kitchen. Using soft light for that warm glow, ambient lighting gives a soothing effect.
You can spice things up with decorative lighting but be careful when choosing what pieces to use. It is extremely easy to undermine all the careful planning you did with the rest of your kitchen lighting if you choose the wrong kind. A chandelier would look good on a traditional looking kitchen but would look really off if used in combination with modern utilitarian designs.
If you want people to notice a particular area of your kitchen, consider using accent lighting. These lighting fixtures are designed to draw people’s attention towards a certain spot and offer great choices. You can go with pin lights or track lighting. Energy-efficient LEDs have become popular as of late. Give them a try.
If you are looking to reduce your electricity bills, you can install florescent lighting. These tubes, when used alongside reflectors and diffusers, offer a lot of bright light for relatively low running costs. You have to be aware that they do become harsh depending on where you sit.
You should do your planning way ahead of buying lighting fixtures. Survey the kitchen space that needs to be lit as this will give you a good idea on what kinds to get. Consider having a professional install the lights in groups – with individual switches controlling clusters of lights. This will enable you to turn on only those that you need and keep your energy consumption low.
