Kitchen Lights Guide

Kitchen pendant lighting has to serve several purposes: it has to be functional and practical for working in the kitchen, and it also has to be easy to maintain and keep clean. You will need bright, effective lighting above any workspace in the kitchen, and if the kitchen also has a dining area, you will probably want more ambient lighting above the dining table.

Modern Pendant Lighting

When choosing kitchen pendant lights to be placed above a work space, think about the practicality of the light. You need a bright, focused light to be able to provide enough light as you prepare food or wash the dishes. Bright light bulbs are necessary above worktops. When installing kitchen lights to be used as task lighting above a work space, you can usually place the light lower than you would in an area that needs more ambient lighting.

When selecting a kitchen light for a dining table, you can be a little more creative and go for decorative lights. Lights that are used to create a mood or an atmosphere are called ambient lights and they come in a wide variety of designs and styles. A single pendant, or several pendants that have been grouped together, can look very good. When installing the pendants, you can place the slightly higher than the lights above a workspace. Make sure the light does not point into anyone’s eyes as people sit around the table and remember that children sit at a different height to grown ups.

Pendant lights also work well above breakfast bars and counters. For apartments that come with small kitchens and only have a counter or a breakfast bar for eating, a well selected pendant lighting arrangement can create an atmosphere but also provide adequate task lighting.

Another important aspect is the material the shade is made of. Glass shades are generally the most beautiful and perfect for a dining area. For countertops and above the kitchen sink, acrylic can be a more convenient choice. It does not break as easily as glass, it is easy to wipe clean, and some types of acrylic can even look almost like real glass when the light is switched on. Metal shades are also popular and can look very good in a contemporary kitchen or a bar kitchen.

With such a range of styles, materials, and colors, it is easy to find the right lighting option for all kitchens.

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What I want to tackle in this post is the thought process you can use as a guideline to choosing just the right kitchen light for your home. First I want to explicitly point out that this is not rocket science. It is quite subjective so it’s not science but there should be a logical frame of thinking behind your decisions. Also, it shouldn’t be made out to be complicated and turn into a arduous chore. Decorating your home should be a enjoyable.

I feel that the initial question to ask yourself should be a practical one – What is your budget? A decent kitchen light could range from $50 up to about $1000. There is no point going looking at the most stylish and elaborate looking chandelier in the shop when it costs more than your dining table, no matter how suitable it may be for your kitchen. Particularly when the global economy is in the way it is at the moment, you should be more prudent with your decision.

Before considering impressing guests with your kitchen lights, you should be comfortable with the lights yourself. Honestly, other people are not the top priority here. You are the owner and you have to live with the lights you choose. Let’s say you manage to choose a brand that is an absolute eye candy to the guests (e.g. Quoizel Lighting Classic Craftsman Tiffany Kitchen Island Light). If at the end of the day, you totally hate it, and even worse, you have to see it everyday, then that is not money well spent at all. Buying a kitchen light can be a personal experience. You have to be happy with the final decision.

Next, what kind of house do you have? The reason behind this question is because you want the lights to match your kitchen. For example, personally I think that a  Kenroy Verona Traditional Kitchen Island Light looks out place in a contemporary kitchen.

Also, another thing to consider is what kind of ambiance do you want out of the kitchen? A kitchen that has an aura which is inviting, welcoming would be the target to aim for. After all, the kitchen is where great meals are created. The light should not convey to people the sense of repulsion.

So, the choices available are practically only limited by your imagination.  There are several types including chandeliers, pendant lighting, spotlights and light bars. I’ll go through the different types another day.

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