The kitchen is a magical space. A room where age-long traditions and special culinary recipes are passed on from generation to generation. After all, food is love made visible. To improve your cooking and dining experience, you need to create a good lighting scheme.
The wrong lighting plan can make a room feel dull and uninviting. Most activities in the kitchen are task-focused and poor lighting can impact the roomβs functionality. If your kitchen has been feeling dim, it may be time to fix it.
This article highlights some reasons why your kitchen lighting is poor and provides tips on how to brighten up the space.
What Makes Your Kitchen Feel Dim?
Your kitchen is one of the high-traffic areas in a home and features a myriad of activities. For this reason, the light design you choose must be functional. But, it can also be decorative.
The kitchen lighting plan and fixture style you choose can affect the mood, ambiance, and overall look of the space. Remember, there are many lighting options you can explore when looking to elevate your kitchenβs interior. Here are some of the reasons that may be making your kitchen feel dark and gloomy.
- Lack of natural light: South-facing windows tend to receive the most light. If your windows are facing the north, itβs likely to affect the light distribution in your kitchen. Windows positioned in the east and west allow natural light to stream into the room in liberal amounts and at different times of the day.
- Inadequate light sources: Under the sink area, kitchen cabinets, and appliances tend to create dark corners if the artificial light is insufficient. This is because opaque materials donβt allow any light to pass through them. They absorb the light and reflect little if any to the surrounding areas.
- Dark color schemes: Similar to opaque objects, dark surfaces tend to absorb more light and reflect very little. So, if the flooring, wall paint, curtains, or blinds are dark, the room may tend to feel dim and gloomy.
Creative Ways to Brighten Up Your Kitchen Space
Now that you know some of the reasons why your kitchen feels dim, here are some of the tips you can use to transform the space.Β
Change the Color Scheme
Repainting your kitchen is a great idea. Go for lighter colors like white and light grey which reflect light beautifully in any space. Give your dark-colored kitchen cabinets a face-lifting by painting them in a lighter shade.
You donβt have to remodel, your whole kitchen. This inexpensive solution is one of the most affordable ways you can use to brighten up your cooking space.
Introduce Mirrors
Reflective surfaces help to bounce light across the room ensuring it gets to hard-to-reach areas. By incorporating glossy countertops like marble and granite, installing fixtures with shiny metallic finishes, and introducing mirrors, youβll be able to create a livelier and more inviting ambiance. Ensure that the mirrors are strategically positioned against the light whether natural or artificial to achieve this effect.
Upgrade Your Lighting
Knowing how much light a room needs is vital in helping you choose the right light fixture for your kitchen. A healthy lighting environment allows you to thrive. But, more than that, it can impact your well-being.
To create a good lighting plan, donβt forget to layer your lights. Add some extra lights to your cooking space for optimum illumination. Knowing which bulb to use and its practicality in the space can also help you choose the right one for each area of your kitchen. The recommended wattage in this room is at least 80 watts. Remember to add one or two stunning pieces for a subtle yet unforgettable touch of drama.
Keep Things Simple
Avoid complex textured patterns in your space if it already feels dim because it only worsens the visual noise. Clutter-free rooms tend to look and feel brighter.
If youβre working with limited space, install shelves and cabinets to help keep things tidy and create a minimalist vibe. This ensures that light can easily travel across the room. You can line the shelves with glassware for a mirroring effect.
Make the Most Out of Your Kitchenβs Natural Light
Itβs time to move that heavy furniture and dark-colored blinds away from the window. Light sheers are your best asset in a dull space. If you do have windows but theyβre not strategically positioned to allow light, it might be time for a kitchen remodeling.
You can consult an expert kitchen interior designer to create the perfect setting that allows for maximum natural light to enter the space. Ideally, your glass windows and doors should be facing the south to enjoy optimum sunlight. You can go for full-length displays for the best effect. If you canβt remodel your home, adding skylights is a great alternative.
Install Lights Under the Cabinet and Kitchen Island
This is one of the best ways you can use to highlight your beautiful kitchen interior. If youβve got a stunning textured Persian rug on the floor or unique marble countertops, this is the time to show it off.
LED lighting strips are one of the ideal lighting solutions for these spaces. This is because apart from enhancing the ambiance, it provides task lighting which is needed for numerous kitchen activities like chopping meats and vegetables.
Introduce Pendant Lighting
Skip the ceiling lights and go for a light fixture that delivers both functionality and aesthetics. And, what better than pendant lights. Because they hang lower than other lighting fixtures, they tend to illuminate the space better.
However,Β knowing what to consider when selecting a pendant light and understanding the difference is essential. It may mean the difference between an elevated kitchen ambiance with optimum illumination or disappointing, ineffective, and costly purchases.
Given that youβre likely to be handling sharp knives in this space, pendants provide more focused light which is ideal. Remember to pick clear light fixtures as they help transfer light onto other surfaces. This helps to open up your kitchen and brighten it.
Spice Up Your Culinary Experience With Proper Kitchen Lighting
All homeowners would love to enjoy some natural light while in their kitchens. Unfortunately, some home plans arenβt quite ideal. Thankfully, there are ways you can still brighten up your space.
Who said kitchens have to be boring? Ramp up the interiors of your kitchen with the tips provided in this article and enjoy the time spent cooking up delicious recipes for your loved ones. You can explore our rich collection and discover beautiful kitchen light fixtures to help you create the perfect cooking space in your home.
