Kitchen Light Fixtures & Fittings

What are the Different Kinds of Kitchen Lighting Options?

Kitchens have a lot more potential for being multipurpose than many other rooms in the house. Depending on the size and setup of the kitchen it’s got the potential to host diners, to be where you enjoy your afternoon spot of tea, evenings of clinking wine glasses and, of course, where you make culinary magic happen. That’s a lot to ask of a space and it’s only fair that you give your kitchen the best shot by lighting it up to perform the best it can. So, here’s a breakdown of the different types of lighting that you could bring into your space to help you figure out what your kitchen is crying out for.

• 1. Ambient lighting: We don’t have favourites… but this might be our favourite. Ambient lighting is what brings the mood, what sets you up for a little romance, relaxation or a full-on rave, whatever you get up to in your kitchen aside from cooking! Your ambient lighting of choice can range from just making sure your main lights are dimmable, getting in some under cabinet lighting or bringing in a lamp.
• 2. Task lighting: A big one for the kitchen, we wouldn’t want you wielding a knife at your potatoes in the dark! A lot of the time when we talk about task lighting, we’re thinking of desk lights, bedside table lamps, the kind of lighting that’ll save your eyes from the dangers of reading in the dark. But, in the case of kitchens the dangers we face are… pointier and hotter and far more immediate. Having good, strong lighting available for when you’re in the kitchen is really important and that’s why we recommend a good base layer of lighting with either spotlights or downlights throughout the space. A kitchen lamp or two on high traffic countertop areas likely wouldn't go amiss either!
• 3. Accent lighting: We’re sure you’ve got a lot to show off in that kitchen of yours. Accent lighting is just the thing! Think about a light up cabinet for all your finest glassware. Or a wall light for that stunning painting over there. Maybe a bar spotlight over the island. Show off what you love, and if you do it right it doubles as ambient lighting. Kitchen spotlights are great for this, as they can often be angled to highlight different areas of the kitchen based on your needs or design choices.
• 4. Decorative lighting: This kind of lighting can very easily go hand in hand with ambient lighting. Using one as an excuse for the other. Depending on the size and layout of your kitchen, there’s a good chance that you can find a spot for some decorative lighting like a floor or table lamp or a decorative wall light. Functional décor, we love to see it!

How do I Choose the Right Size Lighting Fixture for my Kitchen?

We’re all about balancing wants and needs here at ValueLights and we usually say above all else you should go for what you find aesthetically pleasing. Still true! To an extent… kitchen lighting is a little trickier, there’s a bit more to consider, cabinets cast more shadows, and pretty much the entire space requires task lighting. The size, shape and furniture in your kitchen are important things to consider when planning your lighting. Depending on how big and what shape your kitchen is, whether it’s divided into kitchen and dining area is going to inform your lighting choices. If you have a room separated into spaces with unique functions, then lighting is a fantastic way to separate those spaces. Not to mention, anytime we have an opportunity to install a pendant light over a dining table… we take it! Recessed lighting in a main kitchen area is a sure-fire way to make sure that regardless of cabinets and large furniture items – that light is getting where it needs to go! Of course, using a multi light spotlight in the centre of the kitchen can have a similar effect, and the bigger the kitchen the more consideration needs to go into the spread of the light. In a small space it’ll be much easier to adequately light the place up with just one, relatively small, light.

What are the Best Lighting Fixtures for a Small Kitchen?

Flush or semi-flush mount lights are a small kitchen's best friend! Especially if you opt for a multi light option that gives you the opportunity to customise the direction of the light a little bit. This small kitchen lighting won’t take away any of that much needed head room or pose a threat to swinging cabinet doors in a small space. But these lights can still pack a real punch. Go for a dimmable option or swap in a smart bulb for easy access to space saving mood lighting!