Spice Up Kitchen Lighting
Kitchens have long been the heart of the home. No matter what type of party or gathering is planned, everyone always ends up in the kitchen. With today’s modern, open floor plans, you don’t even need to be in the kitchen to “experience” the kitchen. And while its primary function is to provide a place to cook, eat, and store food, the kitchen has become the most visible mecca to showcase your design style. Don’t pass up the opportunity to show some flair in your kitchen with your lighting design.
Most kitchens already employ the most versatile and effective lighting: recessed. Recessed can lighting provides ample, even lighting throughout the space, and can be directed toward specific areas like sinks or bars with specialty trims. Swapping out traditional white trims for reflective or contrasting trims can instantly update the look of your workhorse recessed lighting. But let’s face it: That’s not very spicy. Let’s look at some other ways to tap into current trends.
Adding fixtures like pendants and chandeliers certainly bump up the character in your kitchen. But using unexpected fixtures or lighting non-traditional spaces are what will really set you apart. For example, install vintage wall sconces in your bar area or butler pantry or try some funky track lights over your island or kitchen table. Track lights have been enjoying a renaissance of sorts in recent years. With their ability to be directed and adjusted regularly, their versatility is almost infinite. Contemporary designs and finishes add extra interest.
Got cabinets or a pantry with frosted glass doors? Place LED strip lights inside to glow through for added ambiance when guests are gathered. Strip lights are also great for under cabinet lighting, under bar overhangs, or even under cabinet toe kicks to gently wash the floor with subtle light. This is an excellent feature for when you have overnight guests. Leaving the toe kick strips on act as both a night light and a safety feature, guiding your friends and family to that cool glass of water without trips or falls.
Transform your kitchen seasonally and bump up the festivities for special occasions by screwing in fun colored light bulbs to already existing sockets. Halloween parties are the perfect time to combine purple and green or the traditional orange and black. Warmer color temperatures around 2700 Kelvin accentuate fall decorations while cooler temperatures in the 4000–5000 range compliment the blues and whites associated with winter.
Your kitchen is the perfect place to get creative with your culinary skills AND your lighting design selections! Take a tour through the pages of 1000Bulbs.com for inspiration and guidance. Always feel supported by our professional and friendly staff of lighting experts who are just a call or chat away! Just call 1-800-624-4488 or message us on our convenient pop-up chat at the bottom right corner of our web pages.
