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Our kitchens are communal spaces for creativity and nourishment. Here are our top kitchen lighting ideas that combine style with energy-saving technology to enhance the culinary experience and create an ambient space the entire family can enjoy.

Three different kinds of kitchen lights

There are three major types of kitchen lights to mention:

General lighting

General lighting illuminates the entire room. Mostly, this will be overhead lighting, which can be either recessed lighting or a hanging light.

Task lighting

Task lighting is that which is designed for specific purposes. It is an essential feature in every kitchen, making it easier to perform tasks in some of the most common areas of the kitchen such as the bench, sink and stove. Don’t be restrained to one central light source but consider the unique way your family uses the kitchen and add a mixture of light sources that will adjust to your specific tasks.

Mood and accent lighting

Mood and accent lighting is key to creating an inviting atmosphere in a kitchen. Without it, any expensive and luxurious features might go under the radar and be missed.

Mood lighting creates an inviting atmosphere / Source: Caliber Kitchens

Light switches

General lighting should have switches at all entry and exit points. Rather than simply using a single switch for all task lighting fixtures, have separate ones for different areas. In U-shaped kitchens, for example, include separate lights and switches on both sides of the U. If there is an island in the middle of the room, it is a good idea to instal a specific light to illuminate it, with a separate switch to the main general overhead lighting in the room. Dimmer switches are important for accent lights to allow you to create different moods when you want.

Space savers

Lampshades and lanterns take up precious floor or bench space in small kitchens but opting for ceiling or wall lighting fixtures can help illuminate the space in a functional and trendy way.

In tight corners, dark pantries or small spaces, illuminate with stylish light alternatives. Rope lights or strip lights are practical, space-saving solutions in those tight, tricky kitchen spots. Adding a row of LED lights to your pantry, cabinets or narrow shelves is a stylish and practical way to brighten dark corners.

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LED strip lights

LED strip lights are small lights installed on a strip and spaced so that they provide even light. Strips can be used separately or joined together, depending on the length of the area you want to light.

Because of their qualities, LED strip lights are great choices for kitchen lighting. They are functional, modern and good for the environment because they use little energy to run and they do not emit heat. Add in the fact that they resist moisture and are very sturdy, and you have a perfect lighting choice for your kitchen.

They are also extremely cost-effective because the bulbs last so long some last longer than 40,000 hours! No more standing on ladders and changing bulbs LED strip lighting might last longer than your kitchen.

Pendant lights

Pendant lights use space efficiently and accentuate a focal point in your kitchen by positioning pendants over central areas of the kitchen to organise a small space. Avoid oversized pendants in a small kitchen space but opt for pendants with petite shades or sleek edges, rather than a wide cylindrical shape to complement your space. Pendants generally require higher ceilings so consider the height of your ceiling.

Sunlight

Sunlight is an ideal source of ambient light that is entirely free. Save space and utilise natural light in your home by removing upper cabinets in exchange for extra window space. Upper cabinets impede incoming light and without the obstruction, natural light will bathe your kitchen space with bright and ambient light during the day.

An electrician can help you pick out the perfect lighting fixtures to help you create the ideal kitchen. In fact, you can even find a lighting consultant to help you pick them out as well. Whatever you choose to do, never overlook the importance of lighting when doing kitchen renovations. They really can make the difference between a boring, ordinary kitchen, and a truly spellbinding one.

Lighting is an essential aspect of any home. However, the commonly used halogen lights can pack so much weight in terms of electricity consumption. It’s no wonder that more and more homeowners are replacing halogen lights with LED lights. Featuring the same light quality, LED lights are the more energy-efficient choice when it comes to lighting.

LED lights basics

An LED light is composed of a group of LEDs, which are semiconductors that produce light in the presence of electric current. LED lights are becoming increasingly popular these days, as more homeowners have recognised the marked advantage of using this kind of light source over halogen lights and other forms of lighting.

Advantages of using LED lights over halogen lights

Halogen bulbs, to produce light, only use about 10 percent of the total electricity that passes to them. The remaining 90 percent of electricity is emitted as heat. Aside from the apparent total waste of electricity in producing light, additional energy is consumed if youre using air conditioning, because of the heat emitted by the halogen bulbs. Additionally, some halogen lights require the use of transformers to convert their electric current from 240 volts to 12 volts. Although lower voltage may seem like a good thing, these transformers consume energy as well.

LED bulbs, however, do not produce heat in the process of generating light. This means that energy savings are two-pronged. First, they utilise lesser electricity for the same light quality. Then, because it does not produce heat, your air conditioner can take a breather as well. Using LED lights can mean 90-percent energy savings on lights alone. Moreover, LED bulbs can last for a long time, so theres no need to replace them every now and then.

Tips for choosing the right LED light

There are four aspects you need to consider for choosing the right LED light for your home:

Wattage: Most LED bulbs are within the 4W to 14W range, with just about the same light output.
Lumens: The higher the rating, the brighter the bulbs light output.
Colour temperature: You have the choice of warm white for a warm feel and cool white for colder lights.
Beam: This refers to light coverage. Higher beam values mean wider coverage.

Replacing halogen with LED lights

One of the best things with the recent innovations in LED lights is that they are designed to make halogen light replacement a seamless process. You can easily remove the halogen bulb and simply replace it with LED bulbs. Alternatively, you can have a licensed electrician replace your homes light fitting with an LED fitting. Either way, you’re set to save on electricity by using LED lights instead of halogen lights.