Bright ideas to light your kitchen right

A well-lit kitchen can completely transform an ordinary space into something astounding. Smart light positioning can make smaller kitchens seem bigger, replace poor natural light or set an evening mood after a tough day. 

The truth is, with kitchens now demanding so many functions, lights must set the scene of many varied activities, from entertaining and cooking, to homework and relaxing. Lighting can make or break your kitchen - so it’s worth considering early on in the planning process.

Without further ado, are some of our best tips and tricks for lighting your kitchen. Let there be lights...

Types of lighting

Ambient / Mood lighting. 

Ambient or mood lighting is the main light source in your space. Think of it as general background light, helping you to navigate around your kitchen.  Ambient lighting will be in addition to the natural light which enters your kitchen - or making up for a lack of it. The trick is to evenly cast light from the ceiling as much as possible, which can be achieved through chandeliers, pendant lights and recessed lighting, to name a few.

Here’s ambient lighting we installed in a Calverley Park kitchen above the peninsula (in conjunction with LED ambient spotlights in the ceiling,  helping balance the light across otherwise darker spots) which have been installed with a warm, glowing bulb to add to the mood.

Accent Lighting

Accent lights are the cherry on top to your kitchen lighting, the grace notes of kitchen design - softly lighting areas you wish to highlight. They are purposefully soft, helping favourite elements of your kitchen to pop, without the bright glare of other, more focused light alternatives. 

Here’s an example of accent lighting we installed in a Bermondsey kitchen - strip LEDs have been placed under the worktop, in the handle channel,  to illuminate an otherwise dark and hidden space. It allows for a choice of atmosphere: turning the ambient lights off and leaving the accent lights on is a fast-track route to a chilled atmosphere. Above the splashback is an example of our final lighting category...

Task Lighting

There are some places ambient lighting cannot reach - leaving shadows, often in areas which need focus. Kitchens can be hazardous places (think sharp knives and hot hobs) and accent lighting doesn’t quite cut it (excuse the pun). This is where task lighting comes in. 

Whether it’s work surfaces, illuminating splashbacks or lighting up the cooker - task lights are the brightest in the kitchen, helping brighten your space where you need most focus so you can prepare meals safely, keeping all your fingers intact… 

Here’s some task lighting we installed in Shoreditch. Bright LEDs shine below the cupboards, allowing for brighter worksurfaces for tasks such as chopping food. The task lighting is especially useful in this particular design as the worktops are dark-coloured. Notice how the ambient lights can be turned off to create further mood in the kitchen.

A combination of lighting techniques is key for a balanced feel in your kitchen. The glare of bright task lighting can be off-set with the atmosphere of ambient lighting, and shadowy corners can be brought to life with accent lights. 

Light your lifestyle & your space

Before choosing which lights are right for you, make sure the space you have and how much light you naturally receive, and how you use your kitchen:

Natural Light

Nothing quite beats natural light. Maximise the possibilities by installing skylights, french doors and well-thought-out windows, helping light to flood into your space.  

The french windows and skylight of this Walthamstow kitchen allow heaps of natural light to touch every corner of the space - an easy way to save electricity bills in the day time! 

Consider the orientation of your kitchen: south and west-facing kitchens tend to be bright into the afternoon, while north and east-facing rooms receive more light in the morning. Depending on your space and when you tend to use your kitchen, the amount of natural light you receive may alter how much artificial light you need. 

Lifestyle Considerations

How you use your kitchen is a huge factor when it comes to lighting. Will you be working in your kitchen? Are you looking to host dinner parties? Do you enjoy reading at your breakfast bar?  

These considerations will determine which lights suit you best, and where to place them in terms of ‘lighting zones’. Food prep zones or the hob area tend to require task lighting, while dining areas prefer softer, relaxing lighting so accents may suit better. Also, think about how you wish to control your lights; dimmers provide flexibility, transforming from ambient glows to bright workspaces, quite literally at the flick of a switch.

Don’t let lighting be an afterthought in your kitchen! Click here to book a free 30-minute consultation, and let us enlighten you.