Less is more, the old adage says. The same goes for kitchen remodelling. Most of the time, you don’t need to replace the cabinets altogether, strip the floors and install ridiculously expensive flooring or buy cutting-edge appliances. Sometimes, all you need is a fresh perspective.
By changing the colour or lighting schemes in your kitchen, you will almost feel as if the kitchen has transformed completely. Different lights can be placed in different places in the kitchen to serve different purposes.
Let’s shed some light on your new kitchen without breaking the bank.
Lighting zones
Depending on the functions they are going to perform, kitchen lights can be set in such a way to create different lighting zones in your kitchen. Let’s take a look at some options:
Dinner zone
This lighting zone has the dining table at its centre. Pendants like stand-alone chandeliers or cluster pendants make great dinner zone lights. They zone out the dining table in open-plan kitchens and dining room-kitchen joints. Adjustable pendants are the best option because you can lower them to create an intimate dinner-for-two atmosphere. When hosting a dinner party, you can easily adjust the height so the pendant casts a wider light.
Cooking zone
Your cooktop, countertop and sink mark the area where you prepare food. To get more visibility while reading recipes or arranging ingredients, you should install under-cabinet task lights. They focus the light right where you need it, when you need it. Once you’re done, you can simply switch them off.
Storage zone
Chances are you store cups, mugs, glasses and plates in your upper or lower kitchen cabinets. Your favourite mug tends to get lost in the depths of the cabinets every time, doesn’t it? That’s because you simply cannot see inside the cabinets.
What to do about it?
Install in-cabinet lights so you can clearly see the contents of your cabinets instead of blindly reaching to the back of the cabinet and possibly knocking off everything that stands in your way.
Decorative lighting
For some lights, decoration is the primary function. For example, in-cabinet lighting looks marvellous in combination with glass-door kitchen cabinets. If you have beautiful china that you never use but would like your guests to feast their eyes on them, use the glass-door cabinets and have lighting installed inside.
Another type of decorative lighting is plinth lighting. It’s a type of under-cabinet lighting but it doesn’t serve as task lighting. Instead, the light diffuses from under the cabinets and creates a feeling like the cabinets are floating.
Lighting functionalities
Now that you have figured out the zoning in the kitchen, let’s take a look at the array of functionalities you can have at your disposal, adjustable at the simple flick of the switch.
Motion sensitive lighting
Moneywise, motions sensors are an outstanding investment. Even if you forget to turn off the lights, you don’t have to worry – they go out when there is no movement. They can slash your monthly energy bills, which is a service both to you and to the environment!
Dimmers
Dimmers may be yesterday’s news but they still do wonders for setting just the right mood in your kitchen. You can lower the brightness or turn to the max easily and conveniently. Ultimately, you will feel your kitchen adapting to your mood. Talking about a smart kitchen!
Accents
Lighting fixtures such as tape lights can accentuate the layout of your kitchen beautifully. Place them under the edges of kitchen fittings, from cabinets to islands, and give your kitchen an instant trendy makeover!
