Your kitchen should definitely be well lit; otherwise, it’s a challenge to prepare food comfortably and enjoy your surroundings. Much time and energy is spent on appliances and snazzy amenities, but resources are often focused more on good looks than appropriate functionality.

A major part of kitchen remodeling should always include plans for good task lighting. With the right illumination, your kitchen space can be attractive, energy efficient, and 100% functional to boot.

What to Consider When Choosing Good Kitchen Lighting:

• Don’t use just one ceiling-mounted light fixture – Don’t try to light your entire kitchen properly with just one light source. Rather than sticking to a single fixture, your remodeling contractor will help you choose different types of lighting and the very best spots to situate it.

• Consider layered kitchen lighting – A kitchen that is well lit consists of task, decorative, accent, and ambient lighting. Having different types of light can dramatically change the look and feel of your kitchen. It can also instantly transform the ambiance for different functions, such as cooking, dinner with the family, a romantic date night or a casual party with friends.

• Plan ahead – Don’t wait to figure out the lighting last. When starting kitchen remodeling plans, consider all aspects of the room’s lighting right from the start, along with the designs for dedicated food prep and eating areas.

What is Task Lighting?

Preparing even a simple meal can be exasperating without ample lighting. You want excellent illumination in every part of the room, even if you’re working in a less central spot.

Task lighting focuses on a specific area; instead of relying on a single light at the center, enjoy a perfectly-lit area for each and every job, from chopping veggies and washing dishes, to prepping tomorrow’s lunches and helping with homework. Some good task lighting sources include:

• Pendent Lights – You should have one or more of these over your kitchen island, making it both a visually distinct design statement and a superbly lit space to work.

• Can or Recessed Lights – A good recommendation is one directly above the sink and one for each 4 feet of counter space.

• Under-Cabinet Lighting – In compact fluorescent lighting form, this is also a good option for task lighting in areas where food will be prepared.

More Benefits of Task Lighting:

1. Better illumination. Who’s inspired to explore culinary creativity if the kitchen isn’t well lit? Task lighting helps significantly when prepping meals and snacks, plus packing lunches for school or work.
2. Avoid eye strain.  Reading or working without adequate light is challenging. Slicing and dicing with sharp implements requires careful attention. A brighter kitchen not only helps prevent accidents, but provides relief from undue eye strain. Installing lights under kitchen cabinets and other areas where certain tasks are most commonly done is wise.
3. Save energy. Task lights illuminate specific areas of the kitchen so that you aren’t always restricted to using the main overhead source. Task lighting advantages include consuming less energy when large overhead fixtures aren’t constantly in use.

For a kitchen to both look stylish and function well, it requires lighting that has been carefully thought out. Good lighting should be an integral part of every kitchen remodeling project, so be sure to make room in your budget for a variety of decent quality, properly placed fixtures.

Greg Nelson
Greg Nelson is the owner of Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc. He is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor, creating artistry in all areas of design and construction projects. He is a musician, and artist. A husband and father, Greg appreciates all the wonderful elements of family life.

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