A well-lit kitchen is essential for cooking, entertaining, and enjoying the environment as a whole. However, with so many unique lighting options available, selecting the appropriate arrangement for your kitchen may be confusing. In this article, we'll talk through the many types of lighting and offer some advice on how to choose the ideal lighting for your kitchen.
There are four main types of lighting, natural light, ambient light, task lighting, and accent lighting. We are delving into what each style of lighting means and what they can be used for including suggestions from our own collection. Natural light is light that enters via windows and doors. If you have a lot of natural light in your kitchen, you won't need as much artificial light. To optimise natural light, keep windows clear and open curtains or blinds during the day.
Ambient light casts a mellow, diffused glow over the space. Ceiling and pendant lights provide the most effective ambient lighting. It can also be produced with recessed lighting (also referred to as cans or downlights). To acquire the correct level of illumination, consider the bulb type and wattage while selecting ambient lighting. Excessive ambient light may make a space feel harsh and clinical, while insufficient light can make it feel gloomy and sad, we recommend wattage around 40w. Our ceramic scalloped pendant light is an excellent solution for ambient lighting in a kitchen. Available in multiple cable lengths, helping to provide a bespoke design to the environment. Our ceiling lights can be hung in the centre of the kitchen and hung low to illuminate a kitchen island. We recommend using an Edison bulb, balancing the blend of contemporary and classicism.
Task Lighting, as its name suggests, is used to help you see while you're doing tasks such as cooking. The most common type of task lighting is under-cabinet lighting. Other options include pendant lights or track lights over an island or workstation, wall sconces near a sink or stovetop, or recessed lights above a sink or countertop. When utilised as a task light, our nautical-style spotlights are perfect solutions. Traditionally used to illuminate boat decks and installed atop masts. It has now been replicated in a contemporary style, retaining aspects of the original design while being modified to accommodate modern lifestyles. The Thames Adjustable Nautical Spot Light is bell-shaped and has an adjustable swivel, allowing light to be directed to the area where it is most required.
Accent lighting draws attention to certain features in the area, such as artwork or architectural details. Accent lights are often concentrated fixtures such as track lights, recessed lighting, or wall sconces. When utilising accent lighting, avoid directing the lights straight towards surfaces such as walls or worktops, as this can cause glare that can be harsh on the eyes. The Bulkhead Wall Light, developed in the classic shaker style, who focused on utilitarian design, is replicated in this brass wall light. Presented here with a weathered finish that gives it an antique appearance. Bulkhead lights provide gentle ambient illumination in various regions of a kitchen and are perfect for offering subtle accents throughout the space.
Now that we’ve studied the different types of lighting available, we can suggest how to choose the right balance for your space. The easiest method to to stack several kinds of lighting to create a bright, functional room. Here's some guidance on how many fixtures you'll need in each category:
- Natural Light: 1–2 fixtures per 50 square feet
- Ambient Light: 1–4 fixtures per 50 square feet
- Task Lighting: 1–2 fixtures per workstation
- Accent Lighting: 1–3 fixtures per focal point
When choosing the best lighting for your kitchen, there's no one-size-fits-all solution—it all depends on your individual needs and preferences. By layering different types of lighting, you can create a bright, functional space that suits your lifestyle. Use this article as a guide to select the best mix of lamps, pendants, wall lights, kitchen island lights and spotlighting for your kitchen.