Kitchen Lighting Buying Guide How to properly light your kitchen We explore the terms, features and products for the best solution for your application Updated June 2013
Overview 2 Kitchens need proper and planned illumination. Think about it. In most cases, you are actually dimming lights like when watching TV or reading on an ipad in bed. Also, you can t light a kitchen with lamps like a living room, hallway or bedroom, so kitchen lighting needs to be designed properly the first time. As kitchens and dining rooms have merged into one Great Room there are more objects to light than ever before. It has become more complicated unless you have the right plan.
Table of Contents 3 1 The Kelvin Scale The Kelvin Scale determines the quality of light by color. Each light quality has different applications. 2 Types of Light Fluorescent, Incandescent and LED are the most popular but each has distinct advantages and differences. 3 4 Four Elements of Lighting When properly designing a lighting layout there are 4 elements to consider: Task, Accent, Decorative and Ambient. Executing the Plan We look at several projects that have designed a kitchen properly and show you what you need to look for to do it right.
1 Kelvin Scale The Quality of Light
Kelvin Scale Graph 5 The Kelvin scale plots light quality on a scale from 0-5000 degrees (most commonly). Each type of bulb will have a different degree depending if it s fluorescent, LED, halogen or incandescent. Daylight A very blue light, good at distinguishing darker colors Candle Light Makes everyone look good, most closely emulated by incandescent bulbs Task + Accent Rated at 2700-3200 degrees for best effects Note Halogen and xenon casts a whiter light. It s only a couple hundred degrees whiter than a yellow incandescent.
Kelvin Scale 6 The Kelvin scale measures lighting quality in degrees from 0-5000. 5000 degrees on the quality scale most closely emulates sunlight. Now you wouldn t think sunlight as bad, but it washes out earth tones and accentuates blacks and blues. Fluorescent (not color rendering) is the closest to sunlight. You want to use this light in your closet for distinguishing darker colors, but keep it out of your kitchen. Incandescent is the most favorable type of light despite its lack of efficiency. It renders yellow and adds color to earth tones like fire (everyone looks good in candle light). Incandescent renders at 2500-2700 degrees Kelvin. So for task and accent lighting, you want the Kelvin between 2700-3200 degrees. Unfortunately, there is no regulatory body for Kelvin adherence, so we recommend you see the light working for yourself before purchasing.
2 Types of Light Fluorescent, Incandescent and LED
Fluorescent Lighting 8 The Original Energy Saver Fluorescent is the original energy saving bulb. It lasts around 7 years and doesn t emit the heat of an incandescent bulb; 100 degrees versus 300 degrees for an incandescent. Fluorescent has the reputation for high Kelvin, low quality of light with an inability to be dimmed. Yet for years people placed a huge fluorescent light in the middle of their kitchen. There have been some advances in fluorescent. If you are replacing, buy Color Rendering Fluorescent for better quality and ability to be dimmed.
Incandescent Lighting 9 The Best Quality of Light Without question, incandescent, in all its iterations like halogen, low voltage and xenon, has the best quality of light. It s yellowish hue renders well, especially for earthtones found in kitchens and baths. Unfortunately, every other aspect is bad. Incandescent lighting was invented in the 1880s and is only 10% efficient. 90% is wasted heat. The lamp life is only 750 hours, with more longevity with a xenon bulb.
LED Lighting 10 The Energy Efficient Alternative Light Emitting Diodes. LED has been around since the 1980s. LED offers unbelievable efficiency at 90% and 13- year lamp life with the color rendering of incandescent. LED does not emit much heat. Although the quality is improving, you still have to see the light before purchasing. LED renders bluish naturally and needs to be filtered. The claims of 2700-3200 Kelvin can be exaggerated by some brands. It is more expensive, but will pay for itself in reduced energy costs after 2-3 years. If you are retrofitting LED from incandescent, you will need to change your dimmers and switches. LED uses less power than a normal/older switch can detect. Still, LED should be considered for almost any application including the kitchen.
3 Four Elements of Lighting Task, Accent, Decorative & Ambient
Four Elements of Lighting 12 There are 4 elements to proper illumination: Task, Accent, Decorative and Ambient. The next few slides will detail each. 1 Task Lighting Provides the general lighting for the space. Most common task fixtures are recessed, track and under cabinet lighting, we ll detail each. 2 Accent Lighting Highlights objects. This is usually accomplished with a low voltage or now LED spotlight shined directly on an object. 3 4 Decorative Lighting Decorative are chandeliers, flush mounts, semi flush, pendants and sconces which personalize the room or area. Ambient Lighting Ambient is the most overlooked lighting element, yet it provides the main environmental lighting.
Task Lighting 13 Task provides the general lighting for the space. Most common task fixtures are recessed, track and under cabinet lighting. Task is the skeleton of the plan. For this use recessed or track as well as under cabinet lighting.
Task Lighting Recessed Lighting 14 Recessed is defined as the can or electrical part in the ceiling and the trim or the part you actually see in the room. The most popular recessed light is a simple glare-reducing 4 or 5 baffle. Recessed is a really clean, linear and timeless look for a kitchen. Although each plan is different depending on the ceiling height and kitchen flow, standard installation is 12-24 off the cabinets with one every 3-4 feet apart. Do not place the lighting behind you in the main working areas. It will create shadowing and block the actual light. Related Resource: How to Buy a Recessed Light
Recessed Lighting at Yale 15
Task Lighting Track Lighting 16 Track lighting has become popular because it adds personality and convenience in a way recessed lighting cannot. Track is available in lengths of 2, 4, 6 and 8 foot. The lights can be placed anywhere on the track itself, so it doesn t have to be planned as exactly as recessed. It can also be used in tougher applications like post and beam ceiling, unlike recessed. Our appliance showroom is lit exclusively by track, because our displays are forever changing. The ceiling also has no space above for the recessed housing. Related Resource: How to Light a Kitchen: Track vs Recessed
Track Lighting Application 17
Task Lighting Under Cabinet 18 Under cabinet lighting illuminates the kitchen counters and can provide night lighting as well. We cover under cabinet lighting in it s own guide, but it should definitely be considered in any kitchen. There are new ways to light under the cabinets which include ipad docking as well as portable BlueTooth speakers. Related Resource: Under Cabinet Lighting Guide
Legrand Under Cabinet Display 19
LED Tape 20
Accent Lighting 21 Accent highlights objects like pictures, works of art, flowers and glassware. This is usually accomplished with a low voltage, or now LED, spot shined directly on an object. Under cabinet also qualifies as accent lighting, because it accents as well as illuminates the countertops. You never want to light any room with just accent lighting. Accent lighting should be used in conjunction with other forms lighting. It should compliment the space and highlight important objects.
Accent Lighting Examples 22
Decorative Lighting 23 Decorative are chandeliers, flush mounts, pendants and sconces that add personality to the room. Decorative fixtures add personality. A common mistake is using decorative as the main source of light. A fixture with high wattage bulbs will add more glare than comfortable light. For larger kitchens with islands, look at grouping 2 or 3 smaller pendants together.
Decorative Lighting Examples 24
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Ambient Lighting 26 Ambient is the most overlooked element, yet it provides the main environmental lighting. It is lighting the ceiling or up-lighting in general. It can be accomplished by pendants, under cabinet lighting placed in soffits as well as certain sconces as well.
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4 Executing the Plan Examples of proper kitchen lighting plans
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Conclusion 35 When planning your kitchen s lighting design, keep in mind... Lay out the task lighting. Be mindful of lighting heavily trafficked areas like sink and stove Add under cabinet lighting. Do not place lights behind you as it will obscure the light Don t be afraid to personalize with different decorative elements. Use pendants for islands, nooks and peninsulas Don t forget ambient lighting. Use a semi-flush fixture or light the soffits with under cabinet lighting Use accent lighting, especially when highlighting glass Have some fun with it. People spend more time in the kitchen these days. You want to enjoy the environment
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