Lighting! Turning On Your Kitchen
by Susan Larsen, CKD and Cathy Larsen, CKD - Kitchens by Professional Designers

Medical science has proven that most people function better and feel better in a light, bright environment and when an abundance of artificial light is provided. Tasks which seemed like drudgery can be made more enjoyable in spaces which provide proper lighting.

Kitchen lighting design is now a combination of art and science. In addition to providing efficiency and comfort, lighting is utilized to contribute to texture and materials.

The three principles you need to explore are general illumination, task lighting and accent lighting.

GENERAL ILLUMINATION comes from natural as well as artificial sources. While windows and skylights provide natural illumination during daylight hours, supplemental sources are required to increase the amount of general lighting. A greenhouse window is a good source of natural light and is best orientated north so that the quality of light will remain consistent throughout the day. Skylights bring an airy and light feeling to the kitchen during the day, but they have the reverse effect at night. Mirrors can be placed around the framework of the skylight and down lighting should be installed to prevent a black hole effect which occurs from this source at night. The most popular source of artificial light for general illumination is recessed down lighting and the result is very dramatic. The light is delivered where it is supposed to be without revealing its source.

Track lighting is a good source of general lighting. It is also an excellent choice in some remodels since electrical hook-ups are difficult. Pendant lights can be hung from the track as well. However, the disadvantage of track lighting is that you can see the source of light.

A sometimes forgotten alternative for general illumination is a fluorescent luminous ceiling, which can be decorative as well as functional. As an example, the fluorescent fixtures can be trimmed with tile, laminate, or even cabinet door panels, to tie in with the other features of the room. Etched glass or a grid lens paracube could be used to make a focal point and hide the source of light.

TASK LIGHTING, which aids the cook in preparation, cooking and clean up, is often located on the underside of wall cabinets in order to illuminate the counter area. Under- counter lights need to be pulled to the front of the cabinet so that the light is shadowless and glare is reduced. These fixtures can be either fluorescent or incandescent. Fluorescent is the most common and least expensive. Incandescent can produce as much light but it is less energy efficient.

Additional task lighting should be located over the sink and cooktop areas. If a high ceiling presents a problem, it can be lowered over the island area using the fluorescent application described previously.

ACCENT LIGHTING can be used to create a mood, define an important area, and visually expand small spaces. The shadows and textures created by this lighting application can be very exciting and dramatic. As an example, accent lighting can be placed above cabinets to highlight collectibles or indoor plants. The toe kick area is another opportunity to use creative accent lighting. You will need to consider the end result, however before placing these over reflective floor surfaces.

This consideration brings us to the subject of what type of lighting to use. When selecting your fixtures, watch for lumens per watt. (Watt is the source of energy, and lumens are the amount of light from that source.) As an example, Halogen reflector bulbs that use only 50 watts of energy can give the equivalent of 100 watts of standard incandescent light.

Fluorescent lighting is, in many cases, the most efficient and the best source of light and it has come a long way from the unflattering fixture we think of as hanging in the garage. And, while incandescent light can give colors a warm, rich cast, there are many different color types of fluorescents available today which affect color and skin tones differently. The best choice is a full spectrum bulb. It evenly lights the full color spectrum. It costs a little more but is well worth the added investment. Other good options are deluxe warm and deluxe cool fluorescents. The cools are on the blue side of the spectrum and are flattering to green and blue. They should not be used in kitchens where warm colors predominate, however. The warms are on the red side of the spectrum and are best used with warm color and wood tones. They are not a good choice where cool colors predominate.

Fluorescent tubes last approximately two years longer than standard bulbs and keep full illumination for a longer period of time. Fluorescent lighting also produces less heat than incandescent, which is an important consideration for the kitchen. There are even compact fluorescents on the market which fit into a standard incandescent outlet - an attractive option when you consider that the average life of an A standard light bulb is 750 hours compared to 10,000 hours for that of a fluorescent. The latter also provides 60 or more lumens per watt compared with 10 to 20 lumens per watt in incandescent. Fluorescents slowly decrease their light output and should be replaced at 2/3 of rate output. They also should not be switched on and off frequently since as much as 3 hours can be used per start.

Low voltage Halogen is a more expensive but also a more efficient light source in terms of lumens per watt than incandescent. Halogen’s small amount of filament allows for better controlled direction and produces more efficient outward light. Its white, true light is produced by four gasses which allow it to burn hotter and this small pattern of very intense light adds sparkle to crystal and glass in display cabinets. Halogen lighting is also available as a general or task source in a standard voltage.

Alzak recessed down lights have also become a popular choice, although they are fairly new on the residential market. Alzak is a trade name for the highly polished aluminum used in the interior of the cans, allowing the light to escape with greater efficiency. Because of the increased light output, it is possible to use fewer fixtures in the space allowed. There is a choice of standard A bulb incandescent, Halogen, or even fluorescent available in Alzak.

There are some additional points for you to consider when making your choice in developing your lighting plan. As we grow older, even though our eyes need more light, they are more sensitive to glare. Since some of the high gloss polyester finishes utilized today are highly reflective, care should be taken to develop a plan which will minimize glare. Your choice of counter, wall, cabinet and floor colors can add to your kitchen illumination and the lighter the surface, the more reflection and the less lighting required.

A balance between good working light and low, intimate light for entertaining can be achieved through dimmer switches which are now available on fluorescent lights.

Light, bright kitchens do not have to be stark and sterile. All your favorite colors and textures can be blended with light reflecting basics to achieve the desired aesthetics.

Light does affect mood and should not be taken for granted. The high level of light so popular in today’s kitchens which statistics say is here to stay- will make the room look lively and cheerful, but presents a challenge so as not to produce glare and distracting shadows. Many homeowners, therefore, enlist the services of well qualified kitchen lighting expert, such as a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), assuring them of the best possible solutions that reflect their own style and comfortability.

Special thanks to Dave McKee, Lighting Consultant, of Brennan Lighting, Bellvue, WA, for his knowledgeable input and sharing of ideas.

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