Are you getting ready to embark on your own kitchen project? I’d love to share a few tips to help save you from the money pit of remodeling that many homeowners have fallen into. I’ve been rolling out a total of TEN expensive mistakes to avoid in any kitchen remodel that will save you some big dollars… and likely save you from big headaches as well! Did you miss the previous kitchen mistake to avoid, we can catch you up in no time! Check out the last blog post for Expensive Mistake to Avoid #7 here.
Mistake #8: Ignoring the Importance of Lighting
Slapping some standard, builder-grade, UFO-looking can lights in the ceiling does not mean you will have a well lit kitchen! It seems that homeowners have the tendency to do just this, spacing out can lights evenly on their kitchen ceilings without any second thoughts. Or they do the exact opposite with zero can lighting, relying solely on decorative pendants or wall sconces… yikes!
Kitchen lighting is SO important. There are several different layers of lighting that MUST be considered for the kitchen space (and really throughout the home).
- General Lighting
- Task Lighting
- Ambient Lighting
- Accent Lighting
General & Task Lighting
A kitchen design makes for a much more efficient space when your kitchen working triangle and preparation surfaces are properly lit with general and task lighting.
Can you imagine trying to chop vegetables or prepare that beautiful family dinner on your countertop with the ceiling lights behind you? Try not to lose a finger, right!? Or opening up the kitchen pantry with zero light to help you find that bag of flour- you might accidentally mistake it for a bag of rice!
The importance of general and task lighting is to enhance your everyday kitchen activities with ease. For instance, whether the kids are doing homeowner on the counter or you’re getting ready to prepare and cook family meals, it’s important to ensure you have lighting to illuminate your activities!
General lighting is what allows the overall kitchen space to receive light- this could be in the form of recessed can lighting or even decorative fixtures that allow a decent amount of light to spill throughout the kitchen space. These are perfect when you’re cleaning the kitchen in the evening or getting ready to set up the space for a buffet-style meal with the family!
Task lighting, as the name suggests, is intended to help light areas where major tasks will take place. Aside from function, task lighting is definitely a matter of safety as well. Sometimes your general lighting will not shine onto the counter surfaces underneath upper cabinets. That’s where under-cabinet lighting comes in super handy!
Ambient & Accent Lighting
Ambient and accent lighting really add an extra layer to an overall kitchen layout. Their purpose absolutely goes beyond just “looking good”. These are the fixtures that offer that softer, sometimes even romantic vibe into a kitchen space.
Decorative pendants, chandeliers and even wall sconces are great, especially on dimmers! But let’s not forget about the other architectural highlights- under-cabinet, under-counter and toe-kick lighting. Illuminating these features take up the visual appearance of any kitchen up a notch. Plus, they’re wonderful visual cues to help outline the flow of a kitchen setup as the sun sets.
How Do You Create a Well-Lit Kitchen?
I know you’re dying to know! I’ve noted a few questions for you to sit and think about before you begin adding light sources in the ceiling all willy nilly in the kitchen!
- What kind of activities take place in your kitchen? Aside from cooking, is it a place where you review mail, the place where kids do homework, where you casually eat quick meals, set up the bar when you host, etc.
- Who all will be using the kitchen space? Are there any accessibility requirements?
- Is there a certain mood you want to achieve?
Have you heard of the Color Rendering Index and Kelvin temperature? The fun acronym “CRI” is measured on a scale from 1 to 100, with an index of 100 rendering the truest colors of finishes. Kelvin temperature ranges from 1,000K (warm light) to 10,000K (cool light). To give a sense of the temperature, around 4,000K is equivalent to natural sunlight. To avoid that commercial office or hospital feel, I’d recommend using LED bulbs and staying around a temp of 2,900K with a CRI of 90-100. This will allow your kitchen to feel soft, warm and homey! Lastly, forgo those honking 6” round recessed cans! For a cleaner vibe, try something like these 4” LED can lights!
In the market for some new decorative light fixtures?
Here are just a few of my fave go-to kitchen pendants and chandeliers!
Mitzi Modern One Light Pendant from Emilia Collection in Polished Brass
Mitzi Brielle Pendant in Brass
Mitzi Transitional 6-Light Pendant from Brigitte Collection in Old Bronze
Hudson Valley Dunkirk 8-Light Chandelier in Aged Brass
Hudson Valley Bailey Chandelier in Brass
Hudson Valley Hinsdale 7-Light Island Pendant in Polished Nickel
Crystorama Solaris 6 Light Chandelier in Light Bronze
Minka Lavery Pillar6-Light Island Chandelier in Chrome
RESULT OF EXPENSIVE MISTAKE #8
Poorly lit kitchens may impact your family dinners! Changing your lighting plan after electrical has been completed, just like any change order, will cause delays and increase your overall investment.
VALUE SAVINGS
Plan your lighting ahead of time keeping general, task, ambient and accent lighting in mind.
Anxious to dive into all 10 EXPENSIVE KITCHEN MISTAKES TO AVOID? Get your hands on the “10 Expensive Mistakes to Avoid in Kitchen Remodeling” video! Subscribe to our email list… and get ready to spare yourself the headaches of remodeling your kitchen. Rock on Remodelers!
Xoxo, Megan
