home sectionhome sectionMany homeowners and renters seek methods to add lighting to their kitchens without performing major renovation. In some cases, the desire to add an overhead light in a kitchen without drilling comes from the need to complete the project fast and with minimal cleanup. Other times, you don't want to make any permanent changes or damage the ceiling, or modify the ceiling otherwise. No matter your reason for adding lighting without drilling, you can do it yourself, installing an overhead light in your kitchen in about 30 minutes.
A breakfast nook in your kitchen is a valuable asset that increases the available space in the room and gives your family a place to start the day together. The appropriate light in a breakfast nook enables you to read the morning paper, finish that report that's due when you arrive at work or quickly reapply your lipstick before you rush out the door.
Fluorescent lights are an alternative to incandescent lights, providing more hours of illumination with less energy cost. Typically, the initial cost of buying a fluorescent bulb is greater than that of an incandescent one. To ensure that you gain back the savings of your long-lasting fluorescent bulb, check that you purchase a model that is designed to work in humid areas, such as kitchens. If your fluorescent light still doesn't work properly, a second round of troubleshooting will usually identify any humidity-related problems.
Perhaps your kitchen is already so cluttered, adding one more decorative element could push the room over the top. Or your design sensibilities may be such that you’d rather not see a ho-hum globe, fixture or bulb amid your world of pots and pans. Problem identified. But don’t dismiss this serious issue: If you don’t provide enough illumination, you or any other cook in the house could wind up with a nasty cut or worse. The secret is to hide lights in plain sight, using clever tactics to cover all lighting bases.
No matter what type of light fixture you have in your kitchen, it's a certainty that one of light bulbs will burn out at one time or another. If your kitchen is lit by circular tube, or florescent lighting, changing the bulb for the fixture is different than changing a traditional screw-in bulb. With a little time, some patience and a gentle touch, you can replace a circular tube light, restoring the light in your kitchen.
The kitchen is an important space within a home, often serving as an everyday work space and entertainment area. With such a diverse role in family life, its design must be both aesthetically pleasing and very functional. Lighting is among the key elements of this function, making everything from meal preparation to entertaining possible. Proper lighting will help to accent the room's positive attributes and to disguise unfavorable spots.
The galley kitchen layout features a long narrow space with work areas and appliances on the two long walls. The length of the room makes it difficult for natural light to reach the entire kitchen, especially if there are no more than two windows in the entire space. Capitalizing on the natural light you do have and accenting it with artificial lighting gives you better working light in the kitchen. Plan out your galley kitchen lighting based on the current light levels and the problem areas when it comes to visibility.
A dark kitchen doesn't do anyone any good. Learn how to light up a dark kitchen with help from an award-winning celebrity interior designer in this free video clip.
Flickering lights in your kitchen make preparing food and performing related tasks harder, making finding the source of the problem with the lights a high priority. Multiple potential problems may cause the kitchen lights to flicker, including some problems that put everyone in the house at risk of an electrical fire.
A buzzing fluorescent kitchen light can provide an annoyance, but it may also signal a deeper problem with the light. Buzzing can indicate a problem with the light's ballast, meaning either you need to tighten the ballast or replace it with a new one so the light works consistently in the future.
Kitchens are assuming center stage in the home as the gathering place for family and friends and the crowning achievement of design and functionality. Gone are the days of drab, utilitarian kitchens and gone also are the days of the simple, one-light kitchen. The current trend in kitchens emphasizes high-end appliances, custom features and designer finishes, and, besides the obvious need to provide luminosity, kitchen lights serve to accent and showcase the kitchen's grand design.
Many people choose to use fluorescent light boxes, often called fixtures, to help reduce energy costs. Fluorescent fixtures require less energy than incandescent bulbs. One drawback to a fluorescent light fixture is the fact that it uses a ballast to send power to the bulbs. When the ballast burns out in an old kitchen fluorescent light box, you must replace either the ballast or the light box. Often, simply changing the entire box is easier.
Kitchens are the center of home activity, with cooking, eating, family gatherings, entertaining and even TV watching all taking place in the space. Removing fluorescent lighting from the ceiling is a major step toward modernizing the kitchen. Once the ceiling is repaired from the old lighting, decide whether additional remodeling should be done before selecting new lighting designs. Call in a professional to install the electrical outlets necessary. Use several types of lighting in a kitchen to cover the various needs of this busy space.
Pendant fixtures dangle like jewelry, adding visual interest and sparkle to your space. To qualify as a pendant light, the fixture must hang more than 6 inches from the ceiling. Whether you're suspending the light over your kitchen or bathroom sink, the fixture should provide plenty of illumination without getting in your way. Your electrician will offer suggestions on the proper hanging height, but if you're installing the pendant yourself, you can determine the correct elevation on your own.
Update the lighting in your home and replace your old fluorescent light box with a modern lighting fixture. After you remove the fluorescent box, you may need to repair the ceiling if holes or discoloration will not be covered by the new fixture. When choosing your new fixtures, consider the room and how the space is used to determine what type of lighting is required and where. A combination of fixtures may be required for larger areas.
Blue is a popular color because there are so many shades of the color available for decorating. Blue opens up rooms and creates a sense of calmness. Whether you want light or dark, dramatic or demure, you're sure to find a hue of blue that satisfies your decorating style. It is one of the most versatile colors available, and that's the perfect reason to revive your kitchen with a new splash of blue.
Color is an essential part of a room design. It is the primary factor that determines the feel of the space, and may have psychological and physical effects. When a room has low-light, color selection may become especially important. A low-light room will benefit greatly from a light shade of paint. These tones make rooms feel larger and reflect light better than dark colors, making them ideal for low-light spaces.
If you like to cook or have a large family, the kitchen will not only be a focal point of the house, but also where most of the action takes place. It's easy to let messes get out of control -- but this can also lead to germs piling up as well. By following some simple techniques, you can keep your kitchen looking sparkling clean.
Centering something implies that an object is equally distant from all sides of a surrounding space. In building, design, drafting or drawing, the ability to properly center something in space will add balance and uniformity to any project. The skill is useful in hanging wall items as well as simply arranging furniture around a room. Depending on the medium, some of the specifics may differ; however, the basic process remains the same.
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of the design of your home. Not only do lights provide a useful service, lighting darkened rooms, they also provide a decorative touch that can set off design elements within the home for a dramatic effect. Lighting can be had in many different styles, from contemporary to classic, and includes a wide range of illumination choices, from extremely bright to dim and moody.
A lot of activities take place in the kitchen these days, including food preparation, family dinners and homework. The kitchen also becomes a gathering place during dinner parties. Consequently, the kitchen requires many different types of lighting. Lighting should not only be functional, but also suit your decor.
The kitchen is the heart of your home. It is where you prepare meals, entertain guests and hang out with your family. For this reason, you want to do more than just install functional light. Creating both a functional and comfortable kitchen requires selecting lighting that makes your kitchen stand out. Lighting solutions include a combination of task lighting, accent lighting, ambient lighting and decorative lighting.
An effective lighting plan for a kitchen includes both overhead and task lighting, layered to create an attractive, functional design. With proper placement, light fixtures and natural sunlight combine to enhance the kitchen design, brighten the work areas and create a pleasing ambiance.
Determining the light fixture size and wattage necessary in your kitchen area is not complicated. This is one room in the home that must be well-lit. Proper lighting allows you to judge more efficiently if food is done and prevents accidents from using lighting that is too dim. Factors that you must consider are your budget, amount of natural light, style, size of the kitchen and the location of the outlets and power sources.
The amount of light needed in a kitchen will depend on the size and shape of the kitchen. Very small kitchens may not need more than an overhead and a dedicated light for the stove and work area. Larger kitchens will have several work areas, meaning overhead lights will have to be supplemented with several dedicated lights.
Continue the style of your kitchen into the window treatment over the sink. Because the window will be exposed to water, choose either a washable curtain or a short window treatment that will be above the reach of any water spray. Skip the blinds and shades if you do not need them for privacy or light control.
When designing or remodeling a kitchen, lighting is sometimes overlooked because of the many decisions that must be made. However, the lights that you choose for your kitchen can be a significant difference in the overall look of the room. While there are many lighting options available, certain lights are better suited for use in your kitchen than others. Among the recommended lighting options, there are a variety of styles, so you should find one that suits your kitchen's needs.
Can lights sit recessed into ceiling and provide for specific lighting within an area. Many homeowners use can lights in their kitchen as the lights do not conflict with the design of cabinets. Having lights that extend down from the ceiling may result in a cluttered look in the kitchen and decrease the amount of space between lights and cabinets. Designing a kitchen with can lights typically requires planned spacing, as the lights are direct in their output.
One of the most important decisions you will make in your kitchen's design is choosing the lighting. Islands are used for prepping, cooking and dining. Overhead lighting over that area is crucial to perform the many tasks. Bring color into your remodeling plans with the choices of base materials, countertops, accessories and in the lighting options themselves.
The kitchen serves as a command center for many homes. If you have a family to feed or simply enjoy cooking, you probably spend time every day in your kitchen. You need a well-lit space in which to work, with a combination of ambient and task lighting. Lighting should be attractive as well as energy efficient and should fit well with your decor.
Pendant lights offer added visibility in specific task areas, so installing one above the kitchen sink can help you clean your dishes and prepare meals. Pendant styles vary, and some contain lamps that cover a broader range than others. Correct height also varies by person and situation, so consider all of the factors involved before hanging your new fixture.
Kitchens with drop ceilings usually have a crisp look, hiding the light fixtures above the ceiling. Most drop ceiling kitchen lights are fluorescent tubes. Replacing tubes in your drop ceiling lights requires removing the translucent light panel. This panel is usually made of a fragile acrylic. Removing a kitchen drop ceiling light panel is generally the same as removing any other tile in your ceiling. The light panel does bend a little to give you the extra space you need to remove it from the ceiling.
The lighting you decide to have in your kitchen can make a very big deal in terms of atmosphere. Kitchen lighting can also help your kitchen run more efficiently by lighting up key task areas. People who enjoy cooking, for example, will need more bright lighting around areas like the oven and countertops where chopping and other preparation might take place. Dim lighting at the kitchen table is nice for romantic meals but won't work if you have kids who will be working there to do their homework. Considering your individual needs will help you determine where to put kitchen…
Blue is the favorite color of about 60 percent of Americans, according to the "Whole Living" website. It is generally classified as a cool color, reminding you of refreshing breezes and clean water, but some shades, like periwinkle blue, have a red undertone and add warmth to the decor. Before deciding which colors will look best with blue countertops, determine if they have either green or red undertones. If you're not sure, lay red and green paint swatches on the counter to see if either one looks more like the shade of blue in your home.
The mood in a kitchen is important to the feel of the whole house. A kitchen can add value and warmth to a home, and it is the center of your entertaining. How you feel when you enter your kitchen also determines the types of meals you cook, which trickles down to how well you nourish yourself and your family. If your kitchen is dark and lacking a lot of natural light, you won't want to spend the time required to prepare healthy, creative meals. Decorate your dark kitchen in a way that inspires you to put your best fork…
Light fixtures provide one of three types of lighting: mood or ambient lighting, accent lighting or task lighting. A pendant light refers to one of four primary types of ceiling lighting fixture.
With some basic do-it-yourself skills and an afternoon, you can transform that outdated, flush mounted kitchen light into an updated, hanging fixture of your choice.
Many people spend a lot of their time in the kitchen, as this room serves as the heart of many homes. Kitchens function as areas for eating, cooking, studying, working and generally spending time together as a family. Because of the many different uses of the kitchen, several types of kitchen lighting styles are usually necessary. If you are updating your kitchen's interior lighting, choose from several different types of lighting styles available.
Kitchen lighting demands more than sticking a single fixture on a ceiling. Cooking and entertaining involve multiple tasks like chopping veggies or reading a recipe, each requiring adequate light. Track lighting is a functional and flexible option--providing as much light as you need, where you need it.
Before you install lighting in your kitchen, familiarize yourself with all the pertinent recommended and required specifications in your area, found in local building codes. Lighting options range from incandescent to fluorescent bulbs, usually referred to as lamps, and cutting-edge alternatives such as LED lamps; there are several pertinent criteria to compare the light output, efficiency and safety of each fixture. By learning what each specification means, you can ensure that your kitchen is safely and pleasingly illuminated.
The fluorescent lights used in kitchens, offices and other large spaces are often traditional tube lights, which use a ballast and starter. If the starter is worn out or the ballast is magnetic instead of electronic, it can increase the warm-up time for the light and cause flickering.
Both light and dark flooring for kitchens have their own pros and cons. Not only should the design of the room be taken into account, the kind of abuse and traffic your kitchen floor will be exposed to should be as well.
Overhead can lights, which are also called recessed lighting or track lighting, are one lighting option for kitchens. Rather than having the lights hang down from the ceiling, the overhead can lights are recessed into the ceiling or set along a track instead. These lights are sometimes combined with other lighting options, such as hanging lamps, but they can become the only lighting in the kitchen as well.
Now that you have selected all the colors and items that will be featured in your kitchen, it's time to choose the type of lighting that suits the area best. Kitchen lighting should serve both style and functional purposes and can make this section of your home especially inviting.
Fluorescent lights provide energy efficient bright white light to your kitchen. Modern fluorescent fixtures may be placed above dropped ceilings or flush-mounted to standard ceilings. A variety of acrylic panels are available to fit these fixtures. The panels diffuse the light and provide a uniform look to the fixture, but only if the plastic fits properly. Plastic lighting panels are thin so they remain lightweight and able to transmit more light. This means they are thin enough to cut with a household utility knife, as long as you work carefully and prepare the plastic properly.
As you're decorating or remodeling your kitchen, you may want to include lighting that is decorative and functional. Track lighting is a wonderful way to highlight certain aspects of your kitchen space while providing enough light for you to entertain guests or prepare great meals.
Many kitchens have overhead fixtures with dome light covers, or as they are more commonly known, globes, that cover the light bulb. When the bulb requires replacement, it is necessary to remove the dome light cover to access the bulb. Dome light covers secure to the fixture either by visible thumb screws or simply thread into the fixture much like a nut in a bolt. It is a good idea to clean inside the dome light cover while you have it down to remove dead insects and dust.
Kitchen box lights sit hidden away beneath cabinets. They're lights encased within a long or short rectangular bar, or box. Clear or frosted coverings distribute the illumination of kitchen light boxes evenly. Use these all-in-one lighting units to give your kitchen a balanced and bright feel.
A rustic kitchen can have a welcoming, almost romantic feel to it when it is decorated correctly. One of the keys for showing off the rustic features of a kitchen and for casting the proper mood is good, appropriate lighting. No one way exists to light a rustic kitchen, but several types of lighting work better than others.
Experimenting in the kitchen is not only a great way to keep meals fresh and interesting, you may also find some creative new dishes. Whether you're baking bread, pastries or pie, light spelt flour is an ideal choice if you have any sort of wheat allergy or aversion. However, occasionally you may want to mix things up in your favorite recipe and try substituting another flour to give your baked goods a new taste and texture.
Fluorescent lights are popular for modern kitchens because they light up a large area, fluorescent bulbs last a long time, they do not generate a lot of heat and are economical. Fluorescent light fixtures come mainly in two styles - elongated strip lights or round fluorescent lighting, both of which can be used in a kitchen. They are sold as a complete unit with the ballast and starters attached, plus the screws for installing the fixture to the ceiling, wirenuts for joining the electrical wires and a cover.
For reasons of aesthetics or heat retention, some kitchens have dropped ceilings. These are ceilings that consist of a series of panels that are held in a metal grid suspended by wires from the original ceiling above. Lighting is usually provided by bulbs or fluorescent rods that are suspended behind translucent panels within the grid.
A properly lit kitchen feels bright, cheery and welcoming, whereas a dark one makes it difficult to see well enough to cook. Kitchens should include numerous light sources to illuminate the different areas of the kitchen that require light. This also allows cooks to just turn on the lights required in order to save energy or create a specific mood.
Lighting offers an opportunity to add exciting elements to your kitchen--but there are rules to be followed. Kitchen lighting regulations can come as general design guidelines or be enforced by the state government. These regulations are most often in reference to light bulb wattage, installation designs and energy efficiency.
Wiring a kitchen light can sound intimidating. However, knowing the basics will help you when changing out a light. Taking the proper safety precautions minimizes the chances that you will get hurt when wiring a kitchen light. Often, these safety precautions involve turning off the power to the kitchen light. Homeowners can also use a circuit tester to make sure that the power is truly turned off before beginning the work.
Light blue is a lovely, airy color for a kitchen and leaves you with a lot of options for color matching. Take a look around and see where you would like to inject more color first. Trim is a good place for some extra kick without being overwhelming. A door or a single wall can introduce enough color to make the scheme more complex and dynamic. Accents such as window treatments are a chance to introduce patterns.
Light pipes, also called sun pipes, solar tube skylights and light tunnels, offer an innovative way to bring natural light into rooms with no windows or light wells. They are basically a tube fitted on the ceiling of a room and out onto the roof. At the top of this tube is some kind of aperture that lets in light. Inside the pipe is a reflective material to allow the greatest amount of light from the surface to be transferred to the room below. Light pipes require virtually no maintenance, but some polishing may be required, particularly on newly-installed pipes.
Residential lighting has recently become a particularly relevant topic. Beginning in 2012, most incandescent bulbs become unavailable. In response to a federally mandated shift toward more efficient lighting sources, large retailers have already begun stocking new kinds of lights and lighting systems. These have advantages and limitations that kitchen designers will need to understand in order to develop efficient and pleasing lighting designs for this light-intensive residential space.
Pendant lighting (i.e., suspenders or droppers) is a single light feature suspended from the ceiling with a chain or rod. It's commonly considered a good light source for task lighting with placement over a kitchen island or bar area. Pendant lighting comes in a variety of colors, shapes and styles. Ideas for kitchen pendant lighting are nearly limitless.
Your kitchen is most likely one of the most trafficked and used rooms in your home. You and your family might prepare meals together in your kitchen, talk about your days, make future plans and share meals around your kitchen table. With all this action in your kitchen, you should make sure you have the best lighting possible. One option for lighting your kitchen is fluorescent lights. If you already have fluorescent lights, there are ways to improve them.
Florescent lighting is a great way to brighten your kitchen. Florescent lights put out a lot of light for less than the cost of incandescent lighting. Florescent lights also tend to last longer than a typical incandescent light. Learning how to replace an old light fixture with a large florescent light fixture will help to get you started on your way to brighter and cheaper kitchen lighting.
The fluorescent lighting industry has seen a lot of innovation resulting in more energy-efficient lighting sources that are affordable and last longer. The most common fluorescent kitchen lighting fixtures are tube fixtures. The older tube fixtures use T-12-sized lamps, which are not as efficient as newer T-8 and T-5 fluorescent tube lights. Use T-8 or T-5 fixtures to update fluorescent kitchen lighting and do yourself, your wallet and the environment a favor.
Fluorescent tube light fixtures possess many desirable characteristics. They are affordable to install, energy efficient (especially the T8 tube size compared to the T12 tube size), available in varying lengths (from 24 inches to 96 inches), are simple to install, and the tubes themselves are simple to replace when they finally burn out. Fluorescent tubes last a long time, so you will rarely need to remove the panel from the light fixture, however, it is good to know how to do it.
Custom built fluorescent kitchen lights can provide lighting solutions while avoiding bulky standard light cabinets. The ballast, wires and starter can run hidden above the ceiling to a different location leaving only the fluorescent bulb and its sockets showing. This feature can lend itself to creative lighting designs, including curves. Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury. Mercury decreases the amount of energy a light bulb uses by up to 75 percent and increases its life expectancy by as much as 10 times.
The kitchen is what many people call the heart of a home, where the magical creations happen in terms of food and where families spend time together cooking, baking and making memories. You want your kitchen to provide a comfortable working space, especially if you find you spend a majority of your time in it. Therefore, it makes sense to use the perfect type of lighting to complement your kitchen, especially in the center island where you perform a lot of preparatory work.
One way to give your kitchen an immediate face-lift is to change the light fixtures. When choosing lights for your kitchen, consider the amount of light that you need and think about what lights would tie in to your kitchen's style or decor. Coordinate the fixture with the theme, period, colors, and other accents in your kitchen, such as the hardware on your cabinets. Matching their type of metal--brass, chrome or iron will help give the kitchen a coordinated look.
Choosing lighting for your kitchen sounds like a simple task. However, according to the American Lighting Association website, "The most important part of choosing lighting for your kitchen is placing it in the right area." As kitchens are typically divided into areas according to task, what works at the sink, for example, may not prove effective in the counter area. Kitchen lighting choices include recessed, pendant and under-cabinet.
Lighting sets the mood for any room in the house, especially the kitchen. And since the kitchen has many important functions, such as preparing meals and being the center for family and friends to visit, the atmosphere put out by the lighting is crucial. Before making any final decisions on the type of lighting you want, you must first decide what atmosphere you are trying to create. And when you know this, the rest of your creative ideas will shine through naturally.
When designing a lighting layout, it is important to note the four types of lighting generally found in the kitchen. In most well-designed kitchens, there will be task lighting over the sink or cooking area. There will be general lighting in the middle of the ceiling. Often times there will be display lighting in the cabinets or over an architectural feature and occasionally there will be decorative sconces or other fixtures on the walls. Determining the proper kitchen light layout is simple.
Kitchen islands are multipurpose spaces. Some of them include built-in refrigeration, sinks, burners or grills. Not only are they used for food preparation, serving and cleanup, they provide space for homework, checkbook-balancing and other tasks. For these reasons, a bright light source is needed over a kitchen island, and an overhanging pendant light is frequently utilized.
Only a few states in the United States have established lighting requirements for kitchens in new construction though more are studying the problem. Using some of Califonia's suggestions as well as the advice of lighting contractors and kitchen designers is a good place to begin planning kitchen lighting, whether in a new home or in a remodeling project. They offer a number of helpful suggestions.
Good lighting is essential for one of the most important rooms in your home: the kitchen. Your family likely spends plenty of time eating, cooking or socializing in your kitchen, and it is important to incorporate a variety of light sources to accommodate each activity. Outdated kitchen lighting is not only annoying and unattractive, but it wastes energy and runs up your electricity bill. Updating your kitchen lighting can make a world of difference.
Lighting within a kitchen is key to making sure that all of the appliances and work areas are visible. Without proper lighting, a kitchen can look dark and small. In addition, you may not be able to properly utilize the kitchen's work surfaces because they are too dark to see what you are working on. By following some simple steps, you can properly light your kitchen to avoid all of these unsightly problems.
Kitchens often are at the heart of the home. It is where meals are created, children study, parents pay the bills and families gather to talk about the day's events. Many people choose to update their kitchens with new lighting fixtures to add ambiance, functionality and style. There are several kitchen lighting styles available.
The basic guiding principle of kitchen lighting design is that you need to illuminate the entire kitchen while also providing spot lighting for specific work areas. The kitchen is one place where you do not want to deal with eyestrain or not be able to see exactly what you are doing. The best of all possible worlds is a big window allowing in a flood of natural light along with well-placed artificial lighting.
Installing fluorescent lights can enhance almost any kitchen. The focus of this type of lighting makes food preparation and cleanup easier, since fluorescent lighting tends to illuminate a large space quite well. After daylight hours, a well-lit area simplifies chopping vegetables for an evening meal, cleaning up and loading a dishwasher. Best of all, the cost of buying and operating fluorescent light fixtures is very affordable.
Pendant lights positioned over kitchen sinks are ideal for creating task lighting or for adding soft light to an otherwise dark room at night. Even with a window above the sink, pendant lighting for the after-dark hours might be necessary. It can be either a focal point in your room or nicely blend into the background.
Shed some light on the kitchen with new fixtures. Whether you're building a new home or just updating your existing kitchen, the selection of lights plays a big role in the overall look of the room. The fixtures themselves vary in appearance from traditional to sleek, modern styles. The amount of light produced also varies. Having a well-lit kitchen brightens the room, allowing the decor to be easily visible. It also affects how well you can see to cook and handle other tasks in the room.
Kitchens typically use fluorescent lights as undercabinet task lighting. The low profile of these lights coupled with an energy efficient bulb that emits less heat, makes these fixtures ideal for tight spaces. Over time, the light fixture may cease to work due to wear on the wiring or another problem with the fixture. No matter where the fluorescent light is located, the light box can be removed and replaced for functional or aesthetic reasons.
Fluorescent lights are available for a number of uses. Upgrade the fluorescent lights in your kitchen to provide greater energy efficiency, more light, or to give off a different color temperature. You can even upgrade to lights that will make plants in your kitchen grow better. Changing fluorescent lights is a simple way to change the atmosphere in your kitchen to suit your preferences.
For many homeowners, one of the biggest questions about remodeling their kitchen is what to do about the lights. Proper lighting in the kitchen is a key element in making the kitchen look its best. Oftentimes, older kitchens are mainly lit from just a single source of overhead lighting, but it is no longer the norm to have just one source of lighting in the kitchen. Instead, depending on the area and task involved, a properly lit kitchen has lighting from various sources .
A successful kitchen lighting plan is one that includes a balance of general and task lighting. Planning kitchen lighting requires that you look at your needs, current electrical system and how you use the space. You can handle the planning work yourself, but if you're unsure, consult an electrician to see if your plan is feasible for the space. Electrical work presents many dangers both during the installation and after the fact if the wiring isn't correct.
When you are setting up kitchen lighting on your own, you probably already know how to find the light wires and install lighting. What you might not know is how to decide where lighting should go, and which types of lighting you should use. Certain strategies can help your kitchen lighting look its best.
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.
Standard recessed light fixtures in the kitchen typically are the same as those in other rooms of the house and can be repaired using the same techniques. When working with any recessed fixture, always check the rating on the fixture canister: “IC” rated (for Insulated Ceiling) fixtures are designed to be covered with thermal insulation. If your fixture is not IC-rated, make sure any insulation is kept at least 3" away from any part of the fixture to prevent dangerous overheating. Heat buildup is a fire hazard and a common cause for fixture failure due to damaged or melted insulation…
Kitchen can lights may provide just the right kind of light for your area. Sometimes, however, they may malfunction. Usually, the problem is not with the fixture itself, but it may be the bulb. It could also be due to a new installation that was not performed correctly. Check your local building codes or with your electrical contractor for exact electrical requirements.
Kitchens that have low or dim light can be a problem whether in new construction or old homes. To save money, many homeowners simply install one light in the center of the ceiling, hoping to illuminate the entire room. This can be woefully inefficient. Boost the levels of light and brightness in your kitchen, not only through additional lighting, but with other decorating tricks that will deceive the eye.
Older homes frequently have dreary kitchens with a single incandescent light fixture in the center of the room. A light in this position casts shadows in every direction and leaves the perimeter of the room, where the cabinets and counters are located, virtually in the dark. There may be a light in the hood over the stove and a single light over the sink, but there is never enough light to see well anywhere else.
Track lighting is an ideal way to add extra task lighting in your kitchen. Track lighting generally gives you the ability to aim track lights in different directions, changing the focus of your lighting as needed. If your kitchen is stuck with a single fixture in the center of the room, resolve to solve your lighting woes by adding track lighting that coordinates with your decorating scheme.
Kitchens are one of the most task-intensive areas of a home and they require special attention to lighting. A properly lighted kitchen will not only be functional, it will be beautiful, since lighting helps to focus attention on good design elements. Give thought to the lighting design for a new kitchen-remodeling job early in the design process. Great kitchen lighting is never an after-thought in this process; it leads the way.
Fluorescent fixtures offer long life, energy efficiency, and cost savings over regular incandescent fixtures. When they are not working properly, there are only a few things that can be at the root of the problem. A few minutes of examination should reveal the culprit and repairs may range from a few dollars for new lamps to the cost of a new fixture, depending on what needs to be done to complete the repair.
Kitchen island lighting and colors are a key opportunity to make a statement about the design you intend for your kitchen. This area of kitchen makes a big statement, and the design should be coordinated with the rest of the room. Pendant lights will make the most impact and be the most effective over an island in the kitchen. This is because they are suspended from the ceiling at a level offering sufficient light as well as visibly standing out in the design of the kitchen.
A dark, drab kitchen makes cooking a challenge. A dark atmosphere makes the room appear smaller and cave-like, which is not typically the desired environment for a kitchen. Lightening up a dark kitchen sounds like a challenging task, but simple changes to the room make a big difference. The budget for the project determines to what extent you change the lighting and other aspects of the room to shine some light on your kitchen tasks.
New pendant lights are a quick and easy way to update any kitchen. Pendant lights can be completely customized to match an existing decor, to modernize a kitchen remodel, or to add the final artistic touches to a new kitchen's design. Updating a kitchen by installing customized pendant lights is an economical and easy method to improve the value of your home.
A dark kitchen is hard to work in and not very inviting for socializing. Kitchens have become one of the most popular rooms of the home for entertaining. Learning how to light up a dark kitchen can make the room more functional and pleasant to spend time in. Proper lighting makes cooking and cleaning easier and more enjoyable. A small amount of effort can brighten up this important space in your home.
A kitchen is a workshop. You produce countless meals and snacks, store tools and supplies, and entertain family and friends. If you're planning to remodel your existing kitchen or planning a new kitchen, there are many exciting decisions to make. There are also many common mistakes that people make. When planning a kitchen, these mistakes can be costly.
Selecting kitchen lighting for your space can be a challenging and overwhelming task. With a wide array of lighting to choose from, you can create a kitchen that encompasses both form and function. Kitchen lighting comes in many different colors, styles and prices. Add your own personal touch to your lighting choices, and create a welcoming kitchen where everyone gathers to cook and socialize. Selecting lighting can make all the difference in a room, and choosing the right kitchen lighting can create a space full of good food and ambiance.
Properly planned lighting can add beauty, functionality, and character to your kitchen; poorly planned lighting can turn a kitchen into a dismal dungeon ill suited for basic tasks, let alone anything else. Plan your lighting carefully, and you will be rewarded with an attractive, easy to be in space that you'll enjoy for years to come.
A kitchen is not just a room where people enjoy a meal. It's a place where people also come to feel comfortable. Lighting makes an enormous difference on how effective a dinette set is at meeting these needs. Several factors affect appropriate lighting for a kitchen dinette set.
If your fluorescent kitchen light is not working, it is most likely because of a faulty ballast or, if the light fixture is older, a faulty starter. Before repairing your light, check the fluorescent light tube ends to see whether they are darkened. This would be a good time to replace the light tubes if they are discolored.
Most home kitchens are not only a place to cook, but also a place to gather. No matter how nice the cabinets, appliances or countertops are, they can look drab in poor light, making the entire room unappealing. Combining lighting types is your best bet: ceiling fixtures, track lights, under-cabinet lights and surface-mounted spotlights can make all the difference. Use dimmers to quickly create a different mood. The possibilities for your kitchen are most effectively designed by a lighting professional.
There is a lot more to modern kitchen design than simply choosing the right colors, materials or appliances. Any photographer will tell you that any setting, no matter how beautiful, is only as good as the lighting. This is especially true in a kitchen, where you not only want all those shiny surfaces and clean lines to stand out properly, you also need enough light to perform cooking tasks safely.
Planning kitchen lighting is as important to designing and remodeling a kitchen as picking out cabinets and appliances, but it's one undertaking that has many people confused. Mounting one central light in the center of the kitchen may seem like the easy route to take, but it will leave the whole kitchen decor in the shadows ... literally. Learning how to plan kitchen lighting will guarantee the kitchen remains the heart of the home.
Historically, kitchens are the meeting places in our homes. We begin our days there over a quick cup of coffee, or breakfast with the kids and we meet again in the evening to prepare dinner and discuss the day's activities. Some might say it is the heart of the home. Whether you have a small or large kitchen, you want the work stations and eating areas to be adequately lit, as well as warm and inviting for family and friends.
Recessed lights work particularly well in kitchens, providing diffused light that offers good visibility in all areas. By remaining visibly invisible, the recessed light is also a subtle fixture that can work with any décor style. Because of the flexibility of the types of recessed lighting, individual fixtures can be directed toward specific spots to highlight art, a work station or a seating area. The fixture can add drama to a space and yet remain hidden.
Installing light bars under cabinets is a simple way to brighten your kitchen surfaces. You can do it yourself if you have a basic understanding of electricity and follow the manufacturer's instructions. For just a little money, you can add light and beauty to your kitchen.
The lighting needs over a kitchen island will vary depending on what you use the island for. Naturally, you will need brighter light with less shadow if you prepare food, cook or clean dishes within the island. But if it only serves as a breakfast bar, then you might want more ambient light. There are many types of lighting fixtures and arrangements that can be used over an island to serve one or both purposes.
When you are re-designing your kitchen, consider what type of lighting you want to have installed. Kitchen lighting needs to be functional and practical, yet balanced between a being a visual delight and providing inconspicuous illumination. The choices in this area are numerous, but taking the time to research your options will help you end up with a beautiful, well-lit kitchen that works as well as it looks.
Your kitchen is usually the most used room in your house. You prepare your meals there and have dinner with family and friends, and it may even be your personal haven. Lighting is most important before planning any other kitchen décor, and there are a few steps to follow when determining the lighting layout around your kitchen.
Most people pay attention to painting, flooring and furniture arrangement first when they decorate a home, and forget to plan lighting until the end. In fact, proper lighting is as important as the colors on the walls, the materials on the floors and the way you position the furniture. It can serve practical purposes, create visual comfort and affect the mood of the whole room. There are three types of lighting: • Ambient lighting is sometimes referred to as "background lighting or general light," which does not provide an intense amount of light but is bright enough for basic activities.…
Whether you have already updated your kitchen or not, new kitchen lighting can brighten your kitchen and give it a fresh new look. There are nearly as many ideas for lighting a kitchen as there are kitchens. Depending on how large your kitchen is and how it is designed, there is a kitchen lighting plan that is just right for you. Some kitchen light ideas may be just what you need to get you motivated to change your kitchen lighting.
Light fixtures in the kitchen is an essential part of the house. With so many different kinds of fixtures and bulb strengths, there are a multitude of options when changing out your old light fixtures. Be certain to pick the light you like most and the one that serves your lighting needs.
Finding lights for a kitchen used to a be simple venture, but as kitchen designs have advanced and changed over the years, so have the options for kitchen lighting. Style is important when it comes to the type of lighting you want, as is considering where the lights will be placed and how they will affect the cooking and preparation done in the kitchen. You don't want darkness or shadows around the stove and sink areas. When it comes to the effects of the lighting you need to greatly consider what type of light covers to purchase. Light covers typically…
Many homes were built with cheap fluorescent lighting in their kitchens, and while these lights are functional they are not aesthetically pleasing. Luckily, replacing that fluorescent lighting is a simple project that will make any kitchen look more contemporary. Some good options include track lighting and recessed lighting.
Rubberwood, also known as parawood, is grown in Asia and is sometimes harvested for its sap, which contains latex. The rubberwood tree produces latex sap for approximately 20 to 30 years before it begins to dry up. At that time, the tree is cut down and lumbered into wood for furniture, and a new tree is planted in its place, thus making the rubberwood tree an environmentally friendly wood. Despite its name, rubberwood is not a soft or flexible wood. Rubberwood furniture is sturdy and solid.
The first step in installing a kitchen light is to determine where to put it and how big the fixture should be. The light should be large enough and placed in a position to provide ample light for the entire room. If this cannot be accomplished with one light fixture, then more than one may have to be installed. Personnel at lighting fixture and home improvement stores can usually provide help in choosing the right fixture. There are many types of light fixtures used in kitchens. Some use incandescent bulbs while others require fluorescent bulbs. The fixtures are either attached…
When thinking about kitchen lighting & remodeling, it is important to research even the smallest details about how to decorate and design the heart of your home. Though you can always change the small accessories, your larger purchases should be made with your own style in mind.
One of the best ways to update your kitchen--and a major consideration if you are doing other renovation--is contemporary lighting. The days of a single ceiling fixture and maybe a light over the sink are done. New lighting lets you focus on task areas and create a welcoming atmosphere for family and guests as well. Contemporary lighting is an important part of keeping your kitchen functional--and fun.
Indian meal moths are a major household pest in the U.S. The adult moths lay their eggs in grains, cereals and flour in your pantry. The larvae then contaminate the food. Homeowners often spy the moths fluttering past the television in the evening and assume they are clothing moths. In the meantime, Indian meal moths are taking over the kitchen. The first thing you need to do is identify Indian meal moths. Here's what to look for.
