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Studio Blog

May 20th

Lighting

Kitchen Lighting:  

Layout requirements are affected by the size and complexity of the area. This tells the designer how many lights are needed and where they should be placed for the perfect setup. A small kitchen might only need a central 2 x 4 fluorescent cloud fixture and some under cabinet lighting. A larger kitchen may need recessed fixtures, lighting over the sink, breakfast table, kitchen island, and pantry. Task and accent lighting also become more important with bigger areas to cover. Taller kitchen ceilings require brighter light bulbs. Cove lighting above kitchen cabinets provides an interesting touch to the space.
If the kitchen opens into a living or dining area the lighting should be able to integrate with the adjacent spaces. Light dimmers and lighting controls allow for a smooth transition between different rooms with contiguous spaces.

Also, the color of kitchen counter top surfaces should be taken into account. Dark surfaces, such as dark marble, might need additional illumination.

Lighting for the kitchen normally consists of three layers:

  1. General lighting – overall illumination.
  2. Task lighting – helps perform specific tasks.
  3. Accent lighting – add drama, visual interest, part of the décor.