How Many Lights Should There Be In A Kitchen?
First of all, make sure that lighting is part of the kitchen layout ideas planning process from the very start, as retrospective planning can lead to compromise. 'There is nothing worse than not being able to work comfortably in the kitchen,' says Jo Plant, Head of Design at Pooky. 'Task lighting is incredibly important here and our top tips are to ensure all cooking and prep areas are well-lit to allow ease of movement and ensure you can easily find everything you need.
How Much Light Do You Need In A Kitchen?
You want your kitchen to offer enough illumination for you to easily carry out everyday tasks, but you don't want it to be so bright that it's unpleasant to work in or spend time in. 'Kitchens generally require a stronger level of lighting than a sitting room or bedroom,' says Jo Plant, head of design, Pooky. 'The exact amount of light required will depend on the size and layout of the space, but as a general rule of thumb, a kitchen will normally need around 70-80 lumens (units of light) per square foot. 'You can work out roughly how much overall light you need in your kitchen, by multiplying the length and width of the room to get the square footage, and then multiplying this figure by the number of lumens.'
How Many Recessed Lights Should You Have In The Kitchen?
Recessed downlights are the most common and neutral form of kitchen lighting. 'Recessed lighting is a form of ambient lighting that is recessed into the ceiling and sits flush with your finish material,' explains Alice Arterberry. 'It's not meant to draw attention, but does most of the work to fully illuminate your kitchen.'
How Many Pendants Should You Have In A Kitchen?
'We like to use three pendants over a kitchen island but two, or even one, is great, too, depending on the style of the pendant and size of the room,' says Alice Arterberry. 'If you're looking for lighting ideas for smaller kitchens, you can opt for a single pendant with a widespread and interesting form. If you have a larger room you can go for multiple pendants with a smaller spread and simple form that will create interest as a group.'
How Many Wall Lights Should You Have In A Kitchen?
Wall lights work to add character while adding to your lighting experience. Sheva Knopfler says: 'We recommend installing wall lights over your kitchen windows for a classic farmhouse kitchen style. 'You could also flank them beside your kitchen windows, as long as the light is diffused with a shade or frosted bulb.'
Alice Arterberry adds: 'Wall lights work particularly well to accent windows, either centered above or on each side. Also, above open kitchen shelving to highlight decorative items you might have on display.' Using the rule of three - which dictates that grouping items together in threes is visually appealing - is always a good idea in design and can also be applied to lighting. A pair of wall sconces are also always a safe bet.
How Many Lamps Should There Be In A Kitchen?
Lamps are not a necessity in a kitchen but can provide a soothing source of accent lighting if you have the countertop space. Sheva Knopfler says: 'Lamps are a cozy, unique way to add ambient lighting to your kitchen, not to mention it’s very trendy right now. 'Because your lamp shouldn’t be the main source of light in your kitchen, one lamp should suffice for your kitchen.'