Kitchens Require a Combination of Lights

The kitchen can be one of the most difficult areas to light correctly. It is often the entertaining hub of the home as well as being a "working" zone. This means that kitchens require a balance of softer, ambient lighting as well as brighter task lighting that gives good illumination for cooking and food preparation.

There are a number of different types of lighting, and a kitchen should ideally use a combination of lighting options to achieve the desired effect. You have all sorts of options to choose from: standard ceiling lighting, directional spotlights, fluorescents, track lighting, under-cabinet lighting or even natural light from windows or skylights.

In this guide we'll look at the different types of kitchen light options to provide ambient, accent and task lighting.

Ambient and General Lighting

Ambient and general lighting provides the overall illumination for a space and enables people to move around the home without consideration for special visual tasks in different areas. Ambient lighting is low to medium illumination and suffices for non-visually demanding activities such as eating a meal at the kitchen bench.

Using ambient lighting the majority of the time can save energy because lower-wattage lamps can be used and fewer lights need to be turned on. Most kitchens are small enough for only two of this type of light to be necessary. There are a wide range of lights that you can choose from to provide ambient illumination.

See Mitre 10's Interior Lighting for range of suitable kitchen lights.

For maximum efficiency, we recommend combining the softer (ambient) lights with local accent or task lighting directed to areas where a brighter light is required.
 

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting, also called highlighting, emphasizes objects by focusing light directly on them. Accent lighting is used in kitchens to create dramatic effects or to highlight points of visual interest, for example: artwork or architectural details. Be selective when using accent lighting because overuse can create a space that appears to be unorganized or cluttered.

Accent lighting is achieved by properly locating directional lights. For highest efficiency, lights should be located as close as possible to the object they illuminate. Directional reflector lamps are available with very narrow beams that are appropriate for lighting small objects. These lamps are more efficient for accent lighting because little light is wasted as stray light.

Avoid glare by using proper mounting locations and aiming angles. Choose lights that have baffles or shields because glare is a special concern when using accent lighting. Switch accent lights separately from other lights in the room so that you can use the accent lights only when they are needed. This also permits you to limit the time that sensitive objects such as photographs and artwork are exposed to light. Create effective highlights and save energy by reducing the ambient light in the space surrounding the accented object.

Additionally, choose background colors that contrast strongly with the highlighted object to reduce the light output required to achieve a dramatic effect. For example, place a white object on a dark background.

Task Lighting

Task lights provide increased illumination for specific areas and are used in conjunction with ambient lighting. For example you'll want a brighter light over kitchen counters where food is prepared, the stove and the kitchen sink. It's much easier to see when you chop food and measure ingredients in a brightly lit space. Many range hoods and refrigerators have built-in task lighting.

Downlights should be fitted over the counter, but 300-600mm out from the wall and not above upper wall cabinets. Also, try and avoid locating these downlights directly behind anyone using the counter, as this will cast annoying shadows.

To avoid overhead cabinets casting shadows onto the work surface, under-cabinet lights are a good idea.

Again, we recommend that task lights are switched separately from the rest of the lights in the kitchen so that you can turn them off when they're not required.
 

Direct and Indirect Lighting

Lighting is direct if the lamps emit light directly into the space and onto a level or areas which need to be illuminated. However, if light from the lamps is aimed solely at ceilings or walls and from them is reflected into the space, this is an indirect effect.

Indirect lighting is used mostly in combination with direct lighting. Entirely indirect light may lead to a diffuse spatial effect and shadowless light relations. To achieve the same lighting intensities, the utilization of energy for indirect lighting is higher than for direct lighting.

The technique of indirect lighting uses one or more lights to direct light onto the ceiling and upper walls of a room. The ceiling and upper walls act as reflectors and distribute the light evenly throughout the room. Bulbs are shaded from the face of the viewer and a light output above eye level protects against glare. This technique is also referred to as uplighting. For highest efficiency, the walls and ceiling should be painted white, or a very light color. Clean lights regularly because dust and insects can collect on the lights and reduce light output. Avoid lighting ceilings and walls that have surface imperfections.

Wall washing

Wall washing illuminates a vertical surface to an acceptably uniform brightness. Wall washing draws attention to the wall and can be used to accentuate it. The light reflected from the matt wall surface can make a room appear bright and will provide a soft, diffuse light in the room. Paint walls white or a light color for greatest efficiency. Wall washing can make narrow rooms appear more spacious. This type of lighting can be effectively used on a dining room wall in open plan areas where the kitchen flows into the diining area.

Wall washing is achieved by placing lights in or on the ceiling or on the floor at regular intervals. The spacing between the lights themselves and also between the lights and the wall determines the brightness of the surface. The spacing can be calculated so that the wall is evenly illuminated, or illuminated in a regular pattern that creates a scalloped effect. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for spacing the lights.

If wall washing is used for ambient light in a room, provide additional lighting (task lighting) for special purposes where needed. Mount the lights close enough to the wall so that people seated nearby will not receive direct glare. Do not wall wash windows or mirrors because the image of the lamps and lights may be reflected.

Several other cautions pertain to wall washing. Dark surfaces reflect far less light than do white surfaces, so more light should be directed onto them if they are to be perceived as being wall washed. Lights mounted close to the wall create a grazing effect on textured surfaces. This can be an advantage if the texture is attractive, but should be avoided where the wall has surface irregularities resulting from poor quality drywall taping or sanding.

Using Natural Light

Use natural light from windows, glass doors and skylights as much as possible. Not only do you save electricity this way, but the sunshine and warmth received makes the kitchen brighter and more homely. Having a window over the sink or above a kitchen counter not only allows you to make best use of daylight, but it also provides you with a view while you work. Plus, you can incorporate small pots of garden herbs on a windowsill - perfectly fresh for your cooking!
 

Information compiled in conjunction with Eglo Lighting NZ