4 Bright Kitchen Lighting Tips

When you think of kitchen lighting, I’m willing to bet the first thing that comes to mind is a couple of fluorescent bars hiding behind a rectangular shade, making everything as bright as possible.

Sure, there’s nothing wrong with that kind of lighting, exactly, but the kitchen is the heart of the home, so why shouldn't it be warm and inviting? Lighting can have a lot to do with how a room feels, and the kitchen is no different.

Creating kitchens that are a pleasure to hang out in brings the joy of shared meals and food preparation back into the home. With these four tips, we’ll show you how to use lighting to turn your sterile kitchen into a safe haven.

1 - On another level

The old classic fluorescents gave great lighting from above for work surfaces. Unfortunately, they also created a lot of shadows, thanks to all the light coming from one direction.

Use lighting on different levels to make sure all corners of the kitchen are well illuminated. Each individual light won’t need to be as bright - and therefore as harsh - helping you manage the tone of the kitchen’s lighting more effectively.

Top Tip: Try adding sconces to the kitchen in strategic spots where they can help illuminate shadowy areas while accenting your design style.

2 - Design matters

Every other room in your house has a consistent decor style, so why shouldn't your kitchen?

If you've just dropped a few thousand dollars on remodeling the kitchen, picking cupboards, counter-tops and appliances to suit a style, then go the last mile and match the lighting too. Imagine a gorgeous Art Deco style kitchen with fluorescents overhead! Ok, no, rather don’t, it’s not a pretty sight.

Create design consistency by choosing lighting to suit your kitchen styles. It’s a great way to tie the rest of the home’s decor together, too, especially if you are redecorating the entire home in a style like Art Deco or Mid-century Modern.

Top Tip: Instead of modern pendants over the cooking or eating area, try a beautiful Art Deco ceiling light. It will illuminate just as well, and add a touch of style.

3 - Use what you have

Wherever possible, take advantage of natural light in your kitchen. It’s not just a great way to illuminate a room, it’s also a fantastic design focal point. If you have a good window in your kitchen, find some period-authentic drapes or half-curtains to frame it.

4 - Give in to glamor

But a chandelier in my kitchen? Surely that’s a bit… much?

Not at all. There is no good reason not to hang a chandelier in your kitchen, unless it’s going to get in the way of people moving around. Have fun with your lighting and create a total immersion experience with your decor.

Chandeliers can be anywhere from ostentatious to plain and simple and there is bound to be one that suits your kitchen style. Lighting is one element that can pull disparate elements together and firmly state, this is a Mid-century Modern kitchen, not just an old-fashioned one.

Top Tip: Choose a chandelier that can be cleaned easily, as they will pick up airborne oil and water residue quite easily - it’s just the nature of kitchens.

Kitchens are more than just functional - they have always been the places where life happens and sadly, the modern world treats them too often like spaces where instant meals come from.

Take the time to make your kitchen a place of beauty and style and you’ll want to spend more time in it, preparing delicious, freshly made meals with your family and friends.

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