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Next to the living room and bedrooms, the kitchen is the main room where a family will spend most of their time. Modern kitchens aren’t just for cooking these days – they often play host to dinner parties, get-togethers and family time. These are just a few of the reasons why nailing the look and feel of your kitchen is so important.
Lighting is a crucial element of any kitchen design. With so many types and styles of kitchen lighting available both in-store and online, you may be unsure of the best option for your home. These kitchen lighting trends will help you make the right choice.
Kitchen Lighting trends
Kitchen lighting serves many purposes. For example, you can add style and functionality with under cabinet lighting for a simple yet impactful upgrade, or use LED downlights to highlight your dining table. With the right selection, you can make your kitchen both practical and visually appealing.
Layered lighting
One of the most unique and elegant styles of lighting, layered lighting is an approach that creates a distinctive, welcoming look suitable for kitchens of all shapes and sizes. When done properly, a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting will increase the functionality of a kitchen (by highlighting a particular spot, for example), whilst using lower brightness to accent walkways, countertops and more.
Under cabinet lighting
From LED strips to puck lights that slot neatly underneath (or even inside of) units, under cabinet lighting is available in various formats. It isn’t just a great way to accent key features; it can be the ideal solution to make cooking simpler and easier, too.
Under cabinet lighting does exactly what the name suggests. It emits light from the undersides of cabinets, shelves and other similar features to add extra ambience whilst making it easier to prepare food.
Pendant lighting
For a gentle atmosphere that oozes style and elegance, pendant lights can be the ideal solution. These unique fixtures typically hang from the ceiling, and provide a more luxurious mood.
Pendant lighting is available in a wide range of shapes and styles. You can opt for a traditional or modern finish and still reap the rewards of convenience, comfort and enjoyment.
LED lighting
LED strip lighting boasts longevity, low energy consumption and options to cut, fit and even modify the tone, hue and vibrancy of the light.
This type of lighting has seen a huge increase in popularity for kitchens of all types. Throw in the fact that you can install it almost anywhere to add an extra level of visibility and ambience, and you can see why LED lighting is one of the most popular products on the market.
Smart lighting
Imagine being able to activate a light (or lights) from anywhere via your phone, set the mood, define the tone and enhance the atmosphere – all without ever needing to be in the house. This is exactly why smart lighting has become so popular.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant have software that can work with this type of lighting. And as smart features are compatible with other appliances, you could be enjoying a smart home at the press of a button or even via voice controls.
Natural lighting
From skylights and windows to reflective surfaces and eye-catching mirrors; when it comes to kitchen lighting trends, natural light should never be overlooked.
By taking advantage of the natural light available from the sun and sky, even the darkest kitchen can be brightened up with as little as a few mirrors carefully and strategically placed in the right spots. Natural light could even help to reduce your home’s energy consumption and carbon footprint – making it even more appealing.
Statement lighting
Feel like demonstrating that you know what style is and how best to use it? Statement lighting does exactly this, and often with minimal fuss.
Chandeliers, oversized pendant lights and other eye-catching options aren’t just a great way to enhance the atmosphere within a kitchen; they can add functionality too.
Lighting temperature
Knowing how to balance cold and warm tones in a room doesn’t have to take years of study. It can be as simple as opting for a lighting hue, and then introducing features to match it.
For example, golds, browns and reds work well alongside warmer tones, while silvers, blues and whites are ideal when paired with cold lighting. Or you could mix things up a bit and see how the temperature plays a role.
Task lighting
Need to prepare food under a cabinet? A puck light could be ideal. How about cooking while reading from a cookbook? LED strips could be even more effective. Task lighting is always popular in kitchen design because it can make life easier whilst also complementing the overall style of your kitchen.
Lighting controls
Lastly, light doesn’t have to be either bright, or off. There are a multitude of settings in between, and lighting controls make managing them all the more simple.
Dimmer switches help to control the vibrancy of a light source, while motion sensors can detect your presence and activate as and when needed. The more control you have, the easier it is to adapt your kitchen lighting to the many different ways you use the room.
Hopefully this guide to kitchen lighting trends helps you understand the benefits of the various lighting options available, and find the perfect product to enhance your kitchen’s style and functionality.
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