How to choose the right lighting for your kitchen – Check out these great tips from the experts:

Your kitchen needs to be practical, sociable and comfortable, so planning the right lighting scheme is essential. We have given you some tips on how to light different areas and create different moods.

spotlights

Recessed in the ceiling or on a track, they are excellent for ambient and task lighting. Don’t just fit them into a grid – plan your layouts to illuminate certain areas, like plates or islands.

closet lighting

Glass-front cabinets illuminated by LEDs or a fluorescent tube create an atmospheric look, while cabinets with solid doors benefit from sensor-activated lights that come on when you open them.

plinth lights

Concealed lighting along the bottom panel of cabinets will flood the floor with light, making the room appear larger. Some baseboards come equipped with lights, or you’ll have to fix a piece of low-voltage strip.

counter lights

Task lighting should illuminate what you’re doing, but countertops can be thrown into shadow when you stand between them and the overhead light. Choose lights built into the units or purchase lighting strips and place them where needed.

Kitchen lighting safety

When it comes to lighting in the kitchen, Jim Speirs, CEO of NICEIC (an independent regulatory body for the safety of electrical installations) recommends applying care and attention to the design and installation of switches. “Make sure switches are installed at a minimum distance of 300mm from sink and taps to prevent water from coming into contact with electricity,” he says. If you have any safety queries about installing kitchen lighting, please visit http://www.niceic.org.uk or call 0870 013 0391.

ambient lighting

Ambient lighting is used to create atmosphere and can be achieved in a variety of ways, from ceiling lights on top of cabinets to LED lights placed on an island. For more control over light levels, also consider installing dimmers.

task lighting

To create a safe kitchen environment, work surfaces and food preparation areas should be well lit. Do not rely on general light from the front or back, as this will create shadows. Instead, make sure the light is positioned so that it shines directly on the counter. You can do this by using low-voltage lights recessed directly into the bottom of the units or center-mounted lights on an island.

characteristic lighting

Lighting can be a dramatic focal point in its own right, for example, a striking row of pendants above a dining table, or spots that emphasize an object in the kitchen. Glass front cabinets can be internally lit to display glassware or glass shelves can be lit from above or below to draw attention to decorative items.

leds

LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are the latest revolution in kitchen lighting and contain a small chip (diode) that directly converts electricity into light. They have a lifespan of between 50,000 and 100,000 hours and produce very little heat, making them much safer than standard bulbs. LEDs can be used to create tasks, moods, and lighting functions. Jane Stewart, Design Director at Mowlem & Co, says: “We suggest LED plinth lighting quite often as it can create a beautiful link between furniture and flooring.”