Kitchen Lighting Tips for Your Next Remodeling Job

If you're looking to do a kitchen remodel, you'll need to know the importance of distinguishing your kitchen's workplace and general lighting. Kitchen lighting has different requirements than other types of rooms. It often needs to perform two functions at the same time: general lighting and work lighting.

Without much natural light, you'll need to rely on artificial light to help you see what you're doing in the kitchen. Good lighting is critical because you don't want to be attempting to prepare a meal and end up cutting your finger on a knife because you didn't see it. In addition to the apparent dangers of not being able to see what you are doing, bad lighting can cause inefficiencies in the kitchen.

Difference Between General Lighting and Work Lighting

General ceiling lighting is used to brighten and illuminate the room. It's also used for ambiance. However, if you want to work in the kitchen, you need to complement the general lighting with work lighting. 

The latter's placement will typically be above counters or a bar where you do a lot of kitchen work. When you're doing a kitchen remodel, it's crucial to specify where you want your contractor to install your work lighting.

General lighting will help you when you're not working, but the work lights will help you when you're actually doing something. Consider this scenario: you're going into the kitchen to grab a snack. You'd only need general lighting for that. However, when you're going to heat a big pot of soup on the stove, you'll need work lighting too.

Now, let's talk about a few kinds of work lighting you could use.

Recessed Lighting

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to install work lights, recessed lights are the way to go. They’re great to use in combination with general ceiling lighting and ideal if you don't want to see spots or shadows from your work lights as you prepare meals.

If you want a nicer look for your remodels, you can install a kitchen island with recessed lights. For a more modern touch, recessed lights with clear glass shades are perfect for achieving that kind of vibe.

Track Lighting

Track lighting is a great option if you want to illuminate small, specific areas of a room with direct light. It can be placed under cabinets and over countertops, making it great as an option for your kitchen's work lighting. Many homeowners prefer it because it's adjustable, and it can be moved up, down, and side to side.

In addition to that, you can also place track lights in the ceiling to make the whole kitchen feel spacious and warm. This is an excellent option for those who want to add ambiance to their kitchens through some work lighting.

Pendant Fixtures

Pendant lighting is sleek and stylish. They're a fantastic option if you want to add a vintage touch to your kitchen. They're also great for general lighting because they produce less heat than other lighting options.

It's a good idea to match the size of the pendant to the dimensions of the kitchen island or countertop. Make sure that you use a light that produces a good amount of light, or installing it will prove rather useless.

Conclusion

Whether you're doing a kitchen remodel or just looking for ways to improve your current kitchen, you'll want to make sure that you get good lighting. It doesn't have to be complicated. As long as you understand the difference between general and work lighting and know how you can use them to your advantage, you can make your kitchen a wonderful place to create recipes and spend time with your family.

Reno Concepts OC is your one-stop shop for bath and kitchen remodeling in Southern California. Contact our team of experts for more information.