Ideal for those looking to illuminate the most important room in the house.

In the wise words of director Alfred Hitchcock, ”happiness is a small house with a big kitchen’’. And if anyone knew a thing or two about shedding the right kind of light on a subject, it was him.

And with that neat little intro dispensed with, let’s get to it. The kitchen is, without doubt, the beating heart of the home and probably the most commonly used area once our eyes are open and spirits alert. It’s where you start your day with that reviving cup of Joe, and where you take (and simmer) stock at the end of it; a place to come together with family and friends and luxuriate in the very essence of life.

When it comes to lighting your kitchen, then, you should take things seriously. No one wants to spend these meaningful moments in poorly lit doom and gloom. Instead, proper lighting in your kitchen should be a priority, whether you’re taking on a big renovation project or simply looking to finesse a few details. With that in mind, here are 4 industry approved creative kitchen lighting ideas, IDEAL for those looking to illuminate the most important room in the house.

UNDER-CABINET LIGHTING

The recent trend for LED tape lighting is a very welcome one indeed. It just seems to evoke that cosy, romantic atmosphere so suited to lingering evening meals and glances over the dinner table. 

Should you be planning a romantic anniversary meal, or simply want an intimate occasion with friends and good conversation, LED tape lighting is suggestive of the kind of secret outdoor spot which Londoners speak of in hushed, reverent tones. All except it’s indoors and safe from the elements. Aside from the main lighting in the kitchen, you can nurture a more intimate ambience all round, which can be created via non-intense, slightly dimmed lighting; led kitchen lighting under cabinet, in particular, could help with that.

PENDANT LIGHTS

It’s a real classic in the lamp section of the lighting market for good reason; pendant lighting is an excellent solution to unwanted shadow and gloomier corners, make no mistake. Aside from the fact that it’s a stylish choice, especially in industrial kitchens with high ceilings which create the perfect frame for such lamps to be presented in all their glory, it can also be deployed to illuminate certain tasks and areas in the heart of the home.

Indeed, if you have a kitchen island, consider placing three equal pendant lights above it. They should hang around 3 or 4 feet above the island. If you have a large kitchen, make such lighting is enough to illuminate the whole area.

Another advantage of pendant lights is this; when they’re used for general lighting in the room, these kitchen lighting fixtures are designed to throw a portion of the room’s light up to the ceiling. As the light spreads across the ceiling and reflects back down, it creates a gentle yet all encompassing effect.

MIX AND MATCH 

Who said you need to have exactly the same lighting style throughout your kitchen, all synergised and matching? Certainly not us. Instead, we value a sense of organised chaos, with a mix’n’match affair bringing visual intrigue and an aptitude at that task lighting we were previously extolling. 

There are endless different combinations on the market that you can mix and match the way you like. Do exercise a degree of caution; if you buy several totally different lamps, you’re going to make your kitchen look kitschy. Fine, if that’s the look you’re going for, but perhaps not always the cleanest route to effortless workflow and that sense of streamlining which kitchens so benefit from. 

INDUSTRIAL BULB

If you are a fan of simplicity and that industrial style beloved of trendy restaurant openings across the country, you’re probably already in love with the idea of ‘naked’ lighting that contains just a bulb. When done right, this doesn’t look like a room unfinished. Quite the opposite, in fact; it possesses a unique aesthetic that can bring a modern, stripped back urban cool to your kitchen. 

Industrial-style bulb pendant lighting is a top trend in the interior design world that can be easily suited to many different kitchen arrangements and styles. Just ensure that it’s not the only lighting in the room, or some serious shade will be cast. Rather, use industrial bulb lighting as one part of a bigger whole.

IMPORTANT LIGHTING RULES 

Choosing the right creative kitchen lighting ideas is essential, but that’s not the end of the process. You should also make sure that you provide yourself with proper lighting that won’t cause any problems in the future. Here are some lighting rules to keep in mind before the purchase. 

• Spread the light around the whole room. Having light concentrated in one spot can actually give you a headache, amongst other things. It’s also impractical –  your kitchen isn’t a stage! There is no need to place spotlights here.

• Use more than one source of light. Relying on one lighting source is adequate if you have a tiny room to illuminate. But in a kitchen whose space has been maximised, especially an open one, you’re going to need several sources.

• Prioritise quality. Cheap lighting doesn’t last long and can be harmful to your eyes in its harshness. When picking the right lighting, you should focus on something called CRI – the Colour Rendering Index. It tells you how different colours can appear under the light source. It’s generally considered best by industry insiders to go for lighting with a CRI rating starting from 80. 

THE BOTTOM LINE

Kitchen lighting is a crucial component of the room’s aesthetic and can make all the difference between the heart of your home beating enthusiastically or undergoing cardiac arrest. Make sure it’s the former, by following our handy tips.