Get The Right Light

For most of us, lighting a kitchen will only mean a few ceiling fixtures and probably an under the wall cabinet light. However, lighting the kitchen means more than just the use of one fixture. It can have as many as three types of light sources to be more effective and inviting. Planning for a kitchen lighting scheme is not a walk in the park. It requires some imagination and knowledge about light fixtures. Having some familiarity with bulbs and fixtures will enable you to ask more significant questions to the lighting salesperson. Questions will help you come up with the correct lighting choices.

Natural sunlight is one free light source from which a kitchen may benefit. This is an important light source one should consider; aside from the various artificial light sources available today. The only disadvantage with natural lighting is its unreliability, especially during weather changes. However if properly designed, a kitchen may fully benefit from available sunlight. Natural lighting creates an atmosphere that can never be achieved by artificial sources.

There are three common lighting sources available for the kitchen. These are incandescent, fluorescent and halogen bulbs. Each type can provide a certain type of light for specific lighting tasks.

Incandescent light with the familiar pear shaped bulb is probably the most common light source we see in our homes. It is easy to install, inexpensive and blends well with other types of fixtures. It emits a warm light that creates a cozy atmosphere. Incandescent bulbs have shorter lifespan compared with other types of light sources. Most incandescent bulbs produce light by a heated metal filament, which can raise the level of your kitchen’s temperature and consumes more electricity. However, look for cool beam bulbs; which create less heat. There are also electronic incandescent bulbs, which utilize less energy and do not require frequent replacement.

Fluorescent lights come in more than 200 subtle color variations. They release a brighter and whiter light compared with incandescent bulbs. New high-end fluorescent bulbs can almost mimic the warm tones that incandescent bulbs produce. If your lighting plan suggests a combination of incandescent and fluorescent lamps, be sure to ask your lighting dealer to provide you with bulbs that produce compatible color outputs. Fluorescent lights are more expensive than incandescent lights, but are generally more energy-efficient with longer life span. These can last up to 20 times longer than incandescent lights. Some fluorescent bulbs can actually fit in many incandescent fixtures. Generally, fluorescent lamps are excellent for ambient lighting. However, they can’t be used for accent lighting. Additionally, unlike incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps cannot be dimmed for a more controlled environment.

Halogen lights come in two forms. These are the tube style and the bulb style. The tube style halogen lamps clip directly to fixtures, while the bulb style halogen lamps are usually screwed in. Halogen lighting produces brighter and whiter light than incandescent bulbs. Halogen is often the choice for accent lighting since this reflects the room’s decorative elements in their true colors. Halogen lights are more energy efficient and last longer compared with incandescent lights. Halogen lights can be very small yet very bright. This is the reason why these are often used inside display cabinets. However, these are fragile and need careful handling.

After knowing the basic types of lighting sources, you will now have the confidence to pick among the myriad of lighting bulbs available in your favorite lighting store. Good lighting will not only provide the needed illumination to carry out your work but it can also provide varying look of your kitchen to suit your every mood.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Lighting