Due to a lack of windows, many kitchens can be fairly gloomy spaces. By finding ways to light up your kitchen, you can make the room more cheerful and inviting. Below are a few different ways to illuminate a kitchen.
Roof lanterns/skylights
If there’s not another room above your kitchen, you could consider installing a window in the ceiling to allow sunlight to pour in from above. This can be a beautiful and natural way to illuminate your kitchen (on a clearnight, you can also go stargazing from inside your home). There are two main types of ceiling window styles to choose from: roof lanterns and skylights. Roof lanterns are raised glass prisms that can add height and maximize light exposure. Skylights are flat panels that are often more affordable to install and may have the option to be opened to allow some ventilation.
Pendant lights
A pendant light is a light that is suspended by a cord. In a kitchen, pendant lights are most commonly hung above kitchen islands and breakfast bars. They can provide focused task lighting for preparing food or eating breakfast, while also providing a cozy cafeteria aesthetic. Pendant lights come in a huge array of styles. For a rustic look, consider some vintage oversized bare bulbs. For a more classic aesthetic, consider pendant lights with glass or metal lampshades. You can also buy quirky and playful options like this Idaho Wood collection of timber pendant lights to help your kitchen stand out.
Recessed lights
If you’ve got a low ceiling or want your kitchen to have a minimalist look, consider opting for recessed lights. These lights are embedded into the ceiling and do not protrude at all. A single recessed light often is not capable of lighting up a room so you will need to install multiple recessed lights across the ceiling. These can be operated via a single switch, or you can use different switches to control different rows or different individual lights. Choose LED bulbs to preserve energy.
Track lighting
Track lighting consists of a metal track on the ceiling with multiple lights attached to it. The lights often have adjustable heads or are directed in different directions to help light up the entire room. Track lighting is often relatively affordable because you do not have to install multiple outlets across the ceiling – all the lights can be powered off a single wire. You’ll find various different styles of track lighting online including movie-set style gimbal lights and more subtle white plastic track lighting.
Under-cabinet lighting
Lighting can also be installed under kitchen cabinets to help light up countertops. This can help to create better visibility when preparing food or be used to create ambient layered lighting in the evening. Under-cabinet lights usually take the form of LED strips or recessed lights. They can be wired-in, plugged-in or battery-operated – it depends which power option you think is more convenient and economical. Colored under-cabinet lighting is an alternative option for giving your kitchen a unique atmospheric glow.
