How to choose kitchen lighting

The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of a home. It’s not just where you prepare and eat meals, but it can also serve as a place to complete work projects or crafts. In order to do that, that room needs to have a good and adaptable lighting. 

While the process may look daunting, we here at EMA Lighting have put together this blog post to help you select the right lighting fixtures that both suit the space and provide the amount of light you need, where you need it.

First things first, you need to consider the kitchen. For instance, the size of the kitchen can determine the number and size of fixtures you can fit. The amount of light needed also depends on the natural and artificial light levels, therefore, if you are equipped with large windows, you won't be needing as much lighting. The layout and style of the kitchen helps to dictate fixture placement and style, especially if it has an open plan and connects with other rooms.

Secondly, it is also important to remember that lights shouldn’t be placed above a hob, and that you should save that space for built in lights in an extractor or cooker hood. Same goes for placing lights where a door can open into (cupboards, fridge door, etc)- make sure to take account the full radius of the door and leave that space clear. 

There are three types of lighting you need to know about- Ambient, Task and Accent. 

• Ambient: The main source of light (whether in addition to natural light or to fill in for lack of it). You want to cast as much of it as evenly as possible from your ceiling. You can do so with a combination of chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed lighting, and flush mounts.
• Task: This is for areas that have shadows and need more focus such as work surfaces and cabinetry. If these are properly illuminated, you can safely prepare meals, read recipes, and easily spot ingredients on a shelf. Common kitchen task lighting options are strip lights and puck lights.
• Accent: It's like a cherry on top of your well-designed kitchen, it is often used to accentuate ones favourite elements in the room. A common choice is pendants and chandeliers. For instance, linear suspension lights work well in the kitchen especially if you have higher ceilings and can hang one at least 40” above your countertop. Pictured below is Tucker Pendant from the Boulevard Collection. 

To sum it up- kitchen lights need to be practical and capable of setting a mood. If you are still unsure what kind of light to go for, we here at EMA Lighting are more than happy to point you towards the right direction. Our showrooms allow you to see fixtures in person and choose the right light for your kitchen. 

We are conveniently located in Cardiff and Neath, so feel free to pop in at any time.