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Lighting is such an important and often overlooked part of kitchen design. It is key to making your kitchen functional and inviting, and it's easier than you think to get it right. Here are some tips on how to light your kitchen like a pro and make it cosy too!
Light Up Your Work Surfaces
First things first, let's get some good task lighting in there. You want to be able to see what you're doing when you're chopping, cooking, and washing up. LED light strips are a game-changer for this. You can stick them under your cabinets or shelves to get direct, focused light right where you need it. Wall lights are also a great option if you want to create a feature and add some extra task lighting.
To avoid casting shadows while you work, use directional spots and aim them towards the walls to create bounced ambient, shadowless light that fills the space.
Create a Cosy Atmosphere
Once you've got your task lighting sorted, it's time to think about ambiance. The kitchen is part of your living space, after all, so it should feel cosy and welcoming in the evening too. This is where you need to add a second lighting ring to your kitchen (a second light switch to you and me). You can keep your undercounter LED strips on this cosy circuit, but take off the ceiling spots as these are for task light only.
Pendant lights are a great way to create a focal point in your kitchen. Hang them above your dining table or kitchen island to add some extra cosiness. Unless you have a very large room, I tend to choose only one of these for a pendant light to make it extra special. You don't need a big kitchen to use a pendant, you can use small ones over your sink too if they make you smile.
If possible, use a dimmer switch to add that extra bit of control.
Don't Forget the Details
Small touches can make a big difference when it comes to lighting. If you have glass cabinets, consider installing LED light strips inside to showcase your beautiful glassware. And if you have a seating area in your kitchen, add some LED light strips under the worktop to remove any dark shadows. It'll make your cosy evening lighting even cosier!
In conclusion, lighting your kitchen like a pro is all about layering. Use LED light strips, wall lights, and pendant lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere while still providing enough light for practical purposes. And don't forget to add some small touches, like lighting up your glassware or seating area, to really make your kitchen shine.
Lighting design is an option in both my 10 and 15 hour design packages plus you can learn to do it yourself on my Confused to Creative course
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