Kitchen Task Lighting 101

TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1410 -- More Projects »
Lighting designer Eddie Cohen offers tips for improving task lighting in the kitchen.

  • Task lighting is very important when utilizing a room for specific things. Whether it's applying makeup in the bathroom, preparing a meal in the kitchen, or working at your tool bench out in the garage.

  • Recessed lighting is a great way to focus light throughout a kitchen. It is important to have a lot of light on work surfaces, such as countertops, stoves and the sink area. This type of lighting can be aimed exactly where you most need it.
PHOTO

Figure A
  • Under-cabinet lighting (figure A) is great for kitchens because it focuses the light onto the countertop, which is the main work surface in a kitchen. This type of lighting is also a very inexpensive add-on for existing kitchens. There are many different light bulbs such as halogen, xenon and fluorescent that can give your kitchen a completely different effect. Halogen and incandescent light are best.
    • PHOTO

    Figure B
  • In-cabinet lighting is a great accent for a kitchen. It can make finding what you need so much easier and can also make for a great look if you have glass-paneled cabinets (figure B). A bonus is that this type of lighting brings great illumination to the room.
    • PHOTO

    Figure C
  • Pendant lights (figure C) are both decorative and create nice pools of light over countertops. Track lighting is good for focusing light on different areas.

  • Choose light bulbs with different beam spreads for different effects. Floods are wide and create a more general lighting, while spot lighting works well to highlight specific items.

  • Consider using a small lamp for a nice lighting effect that gives off both warmth and color.
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    Figure D
  • Add dimmers (figure D) to light fixtures for added ambiance during various times of the day. Bulbs last longer when dimmed.
    • Guests
    Eddie Cohen
    Lighting Designer
    Phone: 612-920-0489
    E-mail: info@design-light.com
    Website: www.design-light.com
    Also in this Episode
    TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1410
    •Rosy Floral Rings
    •Kitchen Task Lighting 101
    •Creative Gift Wrapping
    •Tip of the Day