3 Tips on Achieving the Perfect Kitchen Lighting Scheme

by Hickerson Brothers on March 24, 2017

Kitchen Lighting Should be Inviting

Your kitchen serves as the centerpiece for your home. It’s a place where family members, friends and new acquaintances come together to not only break bread, but to engage in meaningful – and sometimes contentious – conversations (Does anyone follow the “no political talk at the table” rule anymore?). It’s where kids come to conduct science experiments and to complete their homework. It’s where friends come to play games. All in all, it’s the heart of your home, a space wherein all should feel welcomed.

Because much of the magic happens in the kitchen, it’s important to have the right lighting scheme. Make sure to follow these useful tips on achieving the right kitchen lighting balance!

1. Layer Your Lighting

Unfortunately, one type of light won’t quite suffice, so to achieve the results you want, you’re going to have to layer. We recommend implementing three layers of light: task, accent and ambient. You’ll notice that the names speak for themselves.

Task: This type of lighting illuminates your work spaces, like the countertops where you prepare food as well as your pantry. Think of task lighting as zone lighting, as it quite literally targets a specific area. You’ll need task lightning wherever you complete “tasks.”

Accent: This type of lighting adds depth and dimension to your kitchen. Accent lighting is particularly useful for when you want to highlight a special feature or the flooring in your kitchen.

Ambient: The majority of your kitchen lighting will comprise ambient lighting. The purpose of this lighting is to ensure that the space is navigable. There are numerous options from which to choose: chandeliers, lighting cans, pendants, tracks and more.

2. Take Advantage of Natural Light

Natural lighting adds an incomparable warmth to your kitchen. Depending on the layout of your home, however, introducing natural light can be tricky. Follow these useful tips from the Decoist to achieve maximum results:

Add architectural upgrades such as a skylight, atrium or conservatory window above your kitchen.
Remove draperies or switch them out with lighter materials.
Allow adjacent rooms to shine light into your kitchen using double-sided cabinetry or upper and lower cabinetry to divide space.
If you have limited resources, consider painting your cabinets white or a lighter shade.

Check out these additional resources on letting more natural light in:

3. Hire a Licensed Electrician

To get the perfect lighting scheme, we recommend hiring a licensed electrician who has experience and skill. We at Hickerson Brothers consider lighting to be second nature to us. Our professional electricians can help determine the best lights for your kitchen as well as for the rest of your home. Whether you’re looking to install under-cabinet lights, chandeliers, pendant lights, tracking lighting or recessed lighting, rest assured we’re the trusted electricians for the job! Mishandling wires can cause serious damage to you and to your home. Don’t risk that! Give us a call today.

3 Things to Consider before Installing Kitchen Lighting

It’s a good idea to take a thorough look at your kitchen’s size and layout before you purchase or install new lighting. Keep the following in mind:

Taller ceilings and darker finishes necessitate more light.
Task lighting should be installed in the essential spaces: over cooking surfaces, at the sink, over countertops, above your table, and any other work spaces such as an island.
If you have white surfaces, you may be able to use bulbs with a lower wattage or even lower the number of fixtures you need, as they reflect light.

Hickerson Electrical is your source for all home electrical services. We’re ready and willing to deliver top-quality service to your home at a moment’s notice. So call today at (703) 594-3913.

And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for updates, guides and helpful information each week.