ambient &mood lighting

In many homes the kitchen has overtaken the living and dining spaces as the main area to relax, socialise and entertain in. Because of this, it's important to think about ambient lighting that functions separately to bright task lighting, which can be too harsh for some occasions.

Softer mood lighting in the kitchen can transform the space into somewhere comfortable and enjoyable to spend time in the evening. It also provides an opportunity to introduce style and personality into the room.

Ambient lighting can be used around the kitchen to change the feel of the space, or as a design feature itself. From low level lighting around seating areas to set the mood whilst entertaining guests to LED systems that allow you to flood entire walls with an unlimited choice of colours - modern kitchen lighting solutions present some fantastic options for changing the feeling in the room at the touch of a button.

Kitchen dining area lighting

Dedicated lighting for the dining area in a kitchen helps to define the space and means that the table can be lit comfortably without needing to illuminate the whole room. Lights above dining tables should ideally be set up so that they can be controlled independently from other lights in the room, allowing you to set the mood whilst dining or entertaining.

If you have an island or breakfast bar in your kitchen, the lighting above it helps to tie the room together whilst enabling you to use the surface when you need it.

Lighting for the dining area can also be used as a design feature or focal point, with some great styles available. From classic chandeliers to modern LED pendants that work particularly well in contemporary kitchens, the choice of lighting for dining areas is huge and covers every taste.

CONVENIENCE LIGHTING IN THE KITCHEN

Convenience lighting helps out in places where it would be handy to have an additional light source, such as inside drawers or cupboards. Often automated - switching on when you open a drawer and off when you close it for example - it helps you to locate those hard to find items more easily, and means that you don't always need to turn on the main lighting system if you go into the kitchen to quickly grab something out of a cupboard.

types of kitchen lighting to consider

plan kitchen lighting carefully

Good kitchen lighting should be both functional and beautiful. It's important to carefully plan the lighting before beginning any project as wiring and installation will often need to be completed before other parts of the kitchen are installed.

If you are planning a full overhaul of your kitchen, remember to allocate sufficient budget to the lighting. As a rule of thumb, in a good quality kitchen project the budget for lighting should be similar to the budget for flooring (although you may wish to deviate from this depending on your choices). Most people are keen to select beautiful new door fronts and worktops, but lighting really can make or break not only the look of the room but how well it works.

An important consideration if you are going down the DIY route: Ensure you are familiar with any building or wiring regulations that may apply to the lighting or electrical systems in your kitchen and consult a qualified professional where necessary.

Speak to your kitchen designer about your ideas when you are at the initial planning stage of your project; a good designer will be able to offer valuable advice about the different types of lighting available.