How to Calculate the Lighting You Will Need for Your Kitchen
The selection and designation of the proper lighting for your kitchen is a vital element in creating an aesthetic home. When considering that many kitchens also function as a dining room, office or family room, it's no surprise that it's often the most-lit room in the house. Taking the time to research and find the best lighting for your space can help generate a pleasant environment for numerous activities while preventing accidents or eyestrain. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Study the natural lighting in your kitchen. Notice where sunlight enters the room and which areas are naturally illuminated throughout the day; notice which areas tend to remain constantly dark or shadowed.
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Identify the key places that require sufficient illumination for safe use, such as desks, tables, bars, cooking and cutting surfaces, the stove top and other locations.
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Measure the dimensions of your kitchen and draw a small floor plan diagram to scale, including any furniture and windows in the room. Take your time with your drawing in order to calculate the proper square footage you will need illuminated by each light.
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Decide on the color temperature, or warmness, of the lighting you want to use. Study the color in your kitchen and decide what color temperature will work best with your current décor.
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Test the voltage of the outlets with a volt meter, or consult the electrical plot and fuse box of your house to determine how many circuits are free in the kitchen and how much wattage you have available. Calculate the needed watts by dividing the voltage (typically 120 in the U.S.) of each circuit into the amperage (found on the volt meter) and subtract the current lights or appliances that may be connected to each circuit. Hire an electrician if a new circuit is needed.
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Look through a lighting catalogue (acquirable at any lighting store) for the desired color temperature and wattage of the lights. Decide which fixtures and lighting styles you wish to use: pendant lighting versus track or hood lighting. Write down the average square footage each light illuminates.
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Design your kitchen lighting by making small symbols on the drawing where you wish certain areas to be lit, being certain to keep in mind all of the natural dark spots as well as the areas that need a healthy amount of light.
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Make a list of the number and type of lights desired and research the prices in the lighting catalogue. Calculate a rough estimate of the cost of installation, as well as the material costs of tracks, wiring, individual fixtures, replacement lamps and other expenses. Double-check your design and begin installation.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan "task areas" such as working and cooking surfaces to be lit carefully from multiple angles other than a single down light. This prevents the area from be covered up by your shadow as you work.
When in doubt about electrical matters, call an electrician. When it comes to wattage and safety, as well as conservation tips, it is better to be safe than sorry.
