Kitchen Lighting Design Basics

Kitchen lighting has evolved from a single central light source to a multi-layered strategy. People want to create and change a mood – they want to be able to cook at the brightest level and then switch to mood lighting for conversation at the bar. Learn about the basics of kitchen lighting in this HGTV video:

There are three types of kitchen lighting:

• Ambient lighting provides general illumination. One example is multiple recessed lighting.
• Accessory lighting highlights architectural details or art. These are directionally focused fixtures that light specific objects or walls.
• Task lighting focuses on work spaces or dining surfaces. The most common is undercabinet, which can be fluorescent, xenon or halogen. Another common application is for kitchen islands – pendant lighting is very flexible and allows creation of different light levels and moods.