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You picked out the perfect cabinets, a gorgeous countertop, stunning backsplash tile, and the most beautiful flooring for your kitchen. But without the right lighting, the colors, textures, and beauty of your design will be lost. It's more than choosing some fixtures over your island and slapping some lights under your cabinets--there are important details that will take your kitchen from boring to breathtaking.
From Willis Construction
First, let's talk about all the lighting features that you can include in your kitchen design. There's the overall lighting which includes a chandelier or pendant(s) over your kitchen island, as well as recessed lighting in the ceiling. It's necessary to have both for a bright, evenly lit space when you need it. For additional task lighting and style, under cabinet lights have become essential in a modern kitchen. There are many options for putting light under your cabinets, and we'll discuss them below. You can also include these same options inside your cabinets to feature your collections of fine dinnerware. The final piece of lighting we often see are sconces or pendants framing the sink for added function and style. All of these features come together to create a unique and upscale design that is both practical and beautiful.
From Koehler Building Co
So let's start with the overall lighting features. The fixtures you choose to place over your kitchen island should provide enough light to cover the entire island. You don't want hot spotlights that will not only be unsightly, but make it hard for your eyes to adjust and see properly. A wider beam spread will ensure you're ready for any task, and incorporating dimmer switches will make sure you're prepared for any occassion or mood. We recommend hanging your fixtures between 28-34in above the countertop for an appealing look and optimal function. As for the recessed lighting, these lights will provide an even layer of light to include counterspace and flooring. This is what will keep your kitchen fully illuminated when you need it. Again, if you have dimming capabilities for these lights, it will create a customizable design that will cater to any mood or occassion.
From Cecil & Ray Homes
Next on our list is one of the most popular lighting features in the kitchen: cabinet lighting. Lights under, in, and even over your cabinets provide task lighting for writing notes and reading recipes, but also accent lighting to show off your backsplash, fancy dishes, and draw the eye upward. In the past, puck lights were the go-to option for these lighting features, but it gave more of a spotlight effect and not a smooth, even light. One of the easiest and most beautiful ways to illuminate your cabinets is with LED tape light. It's budget-friendly, easy to install, and gives a more even spread of light. The drawback to LED tape light is that it's made up of a bunch of little dots of light, which can reflect down on a shiny cabinet surface and look unappealing. Ask your Wilson Lighting specialist about using a channel, which will filter the light to give a smoother look.
If you have glass-front cabinets, we highly suggest using puck lights or LED tape light on the inside of your cabinets. This will create a stronger focal point and allow you to style your shelves, then show them off. Whether you have family heirlooms like delicate china, love the look of your dinnerware, or just want to show off some accessories, cabinet lighting is the perfect way to do it.
From Mary Yon of Gulf Coast International Properties
The final piece of lighting you may see in the kitchen is fixtures by the sink. This is often appealing because this is arguably one of the most used areas in the space. If the design allows for it, you can hang pendants or mount sconces to provide additional lighting in this area. It can also be a good way to frame windows or simply draw attention to favorite features in the kitchen.
From Willis Construction
A final note about lighting in the kitchen is to make sure the color temperatures match. Some like a daylight feeling while others enjoy a warmer atmosphere, but whatever your preference, you don't want to mix too much. If you have one color overall, then another under your cabinets and another inside your cabinets, it becomes very unpleasant to the eye. Pay close attention to those details when creating your lighting design. If you need help, we have Certified Lighting Consultants at our showrooms that can help you select the right products, find fixtures in your style, give recommendations, and even do a lighting layout with you.
