Good lighting makes a new kitchen more enjoyable, and poor lighting does just the opposite. Lighting can make or break how a new kitchen looks, feels and functions. It makes the most of the cabinets, countertops, and other finishes you have so carefully chosen.

Effective lighting illuminates a space in layers using different components and strategies to paint the final picture. Layers of light contribute not only to the functionality of the kitchen but also to its design and beauty. The different types of lighting that are used to layer light are:

·Ambient

·Task

·Accent

Ambient lighting is the primary source of illumination in a room. The goal of ambient lighting is to provide soft, general illumination without necessarily drawing attention to the light source. Ambient lighting provides enough light for safe navigation and helps to define the space.

Most commonly, recessed can lights are used to fill the space with ambient light. Other potential sources can be chandeliers, pendant lights, and flush ceiling mounted lighting. Depending on the location of the kitchen and the number of windows, doors, and skylights, daytime ambient lighting can be natural sunlight.

Due to the broad and diffuse nature of ambient lighting, it should be used along with task and accent lighting to add depth and dimension.

Task lighting is used to illuminate the activities that take place in the kitchen and provides light to prep, cook, read recipes, easily find ingredients and spices or do homework. We often employ LED strip lights under cabinets to illuminate work areas on countertops. Recessed or hanging lights over sinks, islands, or tables add light where tasks are likely to be done.

During the early planning stages, we ask customers about how they plan to use the space and determine their normal daily routine. Determining how you will use the room and identifying its focal points will affect decisions on where we place task lighting and in what intensity.

The optimal location for task lighting is between a person's head and the work surface. Lighting from above is not good for task lighting, because a person's head can cast a shadow on the task area. The amount of lighting necessary for task performance will also be dictated by the age of those using the kitchen. As we age, we need more intense light to perform tasks.

Accent lighting is used to add interest to the kitchen by highlighting opening shelving, artwork, architectural details or other objects. Illuminating a focal point with a direct spot light, highlighting a silhouette from underneath or behind, or emphasizing texture with a wash of light from a steep angle are all accent light strategies. A pretty or dynamic light fixture can be a focal point on its own. Directional spot lights, up-lights, sconces, and hanging fixtures can all be used as accent lighting.

We almost always recommend lighting controls such as dimmers and motion detectors as part of a lighting plan because they not only provide you with greater control over the look and feel of your room, but they are also environmentally friendly and help reduce utility costs.

A kitchen lighting design is successful when all three types of light are layered together within a room to create a fully usable, adaptive space. Good lighting does not draw attention to itself but highlights the other design elements and fixtures in the space. Different light layers may be activated depending on purpose or time of day. For example, during the day, pendants over the island may not be needed at all, but when you start to prepare dinner in the evening all the layers providing ambient, task, and accent lighting become necessary.

Don’t underestimate the importance of good lighting design as you plan for your kitchen project. If you would like to learn more about how lighting can enhance your kitchen remodel, please give us a call at 847-358-0143 or visit our showroomat 706 E. Northwest Highway, Palatine, IL.