A kitchen should have a good combination of different lighting to help you work efficiently and effectively. You must first determine your needs if you want to get the right balance of brightest kitchen lighting. Most kitchens use a central surface bulb or LED as the primary source of light while other kitchen spaces get ambient light from their windows.

Once you have determined the amount of ambient light you have, you can always determine whether your kitchen needs more overall lighting or just in certain areas. This article discusses the different types of kitchen lighting to help you determine the brightest lighting for your kitchen.

How Much Light Does My Kitchen Need?

Lighting is an essential component of interior design as it can provide a comfortable level of light for the entire space, highlight chosen features, create sufficient illumination, and naturally complement the room scheme. When it comes to the kitchen, preparation and cooking areas need to be illuminated effectively for safe and efficient working. However, it is also a multifunctional space and there are certain demands made on other areas too.

The first rule of thumb is to enhance natural light whenever it is available. Since we need consistent lighting from dusk to dawn, we need to switch to other sources of light. To create a balance, artificial lighting is just as important as natural light during the day. A brightest kitchen lighting is considered a highly functional space if it creates a balance between task lighting, natural light, and ambient lighting.

Types of Lighting That Every Kitchen Needs

Ambient/All-Over Light

A light that covers the entire room is known as all-over light or ambient lighting. One of the common examples of defining all-over light is to think of a sun-drenched room. The initial step is to determine how much natural light your kitchen gets then use artificial light to fill in the gaps. A kitchen might have abundant light in the morning but when the sun goes down, that glow needs to be replaced with all-over light from fixtures.

Task Lighting

Everyone loves the look of ambient light but when it comes to the kitchen, some workspaces need to look like a laboratory so you can read that recipe. Task lighting comes in a type of kitchen lighting intended for specific tasks. Under-cabinet lights are some of the brightest kitchen lighting options that allow one to see recipes better. You can also install task lightings such as a sconce in a dim corner. This can be used for slicing or chopping.

Pendant Lights

Pendants are one of the most popular choices for kitchen islands that functions more like a bridge between ambient and task lighting. You will not have any bulbs to change since the LED bulbs are often built right into the fixture. They are usually hung high, just above the eye level where they cannot get in the way. Pendant lights are always bright and attractive in a kitchen because of their expensive look and feel.

Decorative Lighting

Lighting is not just about pure functionality but also beauty. A couple of mini flush-mounts in the range alcove can provide an ideal personality in a design scheme that was otherwise perceived as neutral. You can always find this kind of accent lighting as desk or table lamps provided your counter has the space for it. It is more like an accessory that creates the outfit.

How to Choose the Best Light Fixtures for Your Kitchen

When shopping around for the brightest kitchen lighting, you can light up the mood by picking pendants that pop. Try a layout with one statement pendant or two larger pendants over the island. You can also opt for translucent fixtures and different shapes. Instead of opaque light fixtures, try ones with a lens on the bottom as it hides the bulbs underneath but provides a glow. Rectangular drum-shaped and box-shaped light fixtures can add dramatic interest to the kitchen beyond the traditional circle and oval light fixtures. Open shelving or glass-front cabinets with displays of favorite china or pretty pottery can be softly lit from the inside. Lastly, consider installing toe kick lights underneath base cabinets to light up the floor and create a functional night light.

Not only should you choose the right light fixtures for your kitchen but it is also important to pair them with the right bulbs. An energy-efficient bulb is designated by its color temperature, CRI rating, and energy star. The larger your kitchen space, the greater importance of hanging pendants, chandeliers, and other eye-catching fixtures to add maximum brightness to your kitchen.