Lighting the Kitchen

Not only do we need general lighting in the kitchen, but we also need localized lighting (also called task lighting) for the different work centers. Lighting in the kitchen should be planned as thoroughly as that of an office.

If you have a long narrow kitchen, use two separate fixtures for general illumination. These should be spaced one-half of the room length and located one-fourth the room length from a wall.

Strip lighting can be used over the counters, you can use a 20 watt light for each 30in to 36in (760 mm to 900 mm) of counter space. These fixtures may be place recessed under the overhead cabinets so that your eyes are shielded from the light when working at the counters.

Recessed lights produce an unusual and dramatic effect in the kitchen and are practical above the sink area since they dispel head shadows caused by general lighting. For shadow free lighting, a twin wall valance lighting fixture works best placed over the range.

Reel type of fixture or pendant light over the breakfast nook or an island in the kitchen is not only decorative but very functional in that setting, they work best when they are hanged at least 1000 mm from the table or counter.