Lighting in the kitchen is an important aspect of the design and has a number of functions to perform, apart from function the kitchen can be a great feature in your house even when it is not in use.

Lighting functions can be divided into a number of distinct categories:

General or ambient lighting

Ambient, or general lighting, is the overall lighting that feels a space, thereby reducing contrast and lighting vertical and horizontal surfaces. The most common form of general lighting is natural light, which is complimented with artificial lighting (which can be recessed or ceiling mounted) during night time hours. Ceiling height, together with the number of skylights and windows, plays a key role in determining how much artificial lighting is required. General lighting units are usually placed 1.5 m – 1 m apart and bulbs equivalent to 100 W are the most popular for kitchens. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the ceiling, the closer the lights should be placed. For ambient kitchen lighting, fluorescent lighting is well suited for the job as it provides broad, even illumination. Fluorescence are also efficient and can be dimmed. As LED and compact fluorescent lighting improves, designers will have other options to compliment general lighting.

Task lighting

Task lighting, as the name suggests, is needed to provide light where tasks are performed. The main areas of a kitchen that requires the most attention to task lighting are the cooking, food preparation and cleanup zones.

Task lighting should be good quality, bright, shadowless light that is situated above counters, sink areas, cooking zones, tables and the like. It is ideal to have the fitting close to the area which needs to light.

It is a good idea to get a lighting plan done at the same time as the kitchen design, most good lighting retailers will have an in-store lighting designer who may suggest solutions that you have not considered. The lighting designer is also a great source of information about new products as well as up-and-coming releases.

The lighting plan should take into consideration the natural light available, task lighting requirements, general lighting needs and mood lighting (if it is to be incorporated). The most common task light source is a down light. These are often small diameter lights that are recessed into the cupboard above the ceiling and provide a natural white light.

Accent lighting

Accent lighting is used to make an item into a special feature and can be a part of the mood lighting plan. Accent light will draw the eye, so it should be used to lure attention to an object or particular part of the kitchen. A particularly bright splashback, for example, can benefit from accent light that highlights its position as a special feature within the kitchen.

Decorative lighting

Decorative lighting refers to inclusions such as chandeliers or light art. The item is included as a decorative peace rather than functional, although its late can be used to enhance mood. Consult the lighting designer if this type of light fitting is required as they will need to ensure that it does not conflict with other lighting in the room.

Kinetic lighting

Kinetic light refers to light sources that are not stable and might flicker and move, such as a candle or transitional light. These can be used to great effect in the kitchen, particularly at night where a softer and more gentle light can be used after the meal is served and there is no longer a need for general or task lighting. Strip LEDs are often used along kickboards or at the top edge of cabinets to create this type of light and today’s technology means the light can transition through a colour spectrum, which can look spectacular.

Mood lighting

No longer simply about functionality and task oriented illumination, mood lighting has found its way into modern Australian kitchen design, following the European trend. Many manufacturers have introduced products that specifically apply to this concept. Lights have become smaller, more elegant, economical and even easier to mount, making it easier for kitchen designers to incorporate them into their designs. Reflecting the latest European light designs, strip and spotlights, low-voltage halogen lights, and flush and surface mounted LEDs are now featured in cabinet, shelves, niches and plinths.

Light types

Natural light – space as the name suggests, natural light comes from sources such as windows, skylights, glass sliding doors, stacker doors etc. Most kitchens today have at least some access to natural light and, because of the Open Plan nature of most homes, it is fairly uncommon to come across a kitchen with no external windows or doors in the adjoining spaces. Because natural light waxes and wanes during the day and evening, and will be at varying strengths at different times of the year, it cannot be relied on as the only light source in the kitchen. However, clever lighting design can make the most of what natural light is available and make it work within the overall lighting plan for the room.

Incandescent – incandescent lights have been the traditional light source used in Australian homes for many years but have been phased out for most common household applications. Bulbs come with either bayonetOr Edison screw fittings and are available in 10, 15, 25, 40, 60, 75, and 100 watt options in either clear or pearl. Incandescent lights run off a 240 V source and can usually be dimmed.

Fluorescent — New-generation fluorescent lights are an extremely energy efficient, long-lasting source of light. Compact versions can be mounted into the traditional incandescent, bayonet and screw in fittings. The compact fluorescent my last up to 16,000 hours. Fluorescent globes have an equivalent brightness to an incandescent globes, so you can still achieve the same lighting levels. Fluorescents are available in cool and warm tones. The tone can have a significant impact on the quality of the light, so it is important to choose the right tone for the right location. Compact fluorescent lamps are good in downlights and are a particularly good source of light in the kitchen as well as being a great energy-efficient option.

Halogen or dichroic – These two terms are often interchanged and refer to small diameter lights that you will see in recessed light fittings. Halogens require transformers to change standard 240-volt power to 12 volts. They are specifically designed for task lighting but commonly misused as general lighting. Halogen or dichroic lights are best used in combination with florescent or incandescent lights to achieve a general ambience.

LED – LED is an acronym for light emitting diodes and refers to the action of the electrons which release photons when turned on. A highly flexible and adaptable piece of equipment, LED is now more commonly used in the home to create mood or highlight features of the kitchen. LEDs can be used for task and ambient lighting and is a great way to introduce colour into a kitchen design.

As they are almost maintenance free, you should expect to obtain around 100,000 hours of use from LED lights. One of the most energy efficient lighting options, LEDs are a great option for any environmentally conscious homeowner. As designers become more adept at including LEDs into their designs, we are likely to see the incorporation expand to different areas of the home including wardrobes, bedrooms, home theatre, stairs and the like. LEDs can be installed under countertops, around toe kicks, behind glass panels and a host of other interesting places.

On any kitchen project, a licensed electrician must carry out all electrical work and all such work is to be undertaken in accordance with Australian standards

Essential lighting tips

1. start with the end in mind. Make sure that lighting is designed into the project near the beginning – this will provide a better and well thought through result.
2. lighting can be used for functional purposes or to set the mood when entertaining. Lighting can dramatically transform the mood of the kitchen as a lifestyle entertainment area.
3. the kitchen is now more than a functional area, so research or lighting options to suit your personality and lifestyle early in the process.
4. Use quality lighting – check the specifications for hours of usage. Better quality lighting should give you longer usage hours
5. LED lighting provides a wide range of options, including task or mood options, uses lower levels of energy and is cooler than halogen or other lighting i.e. generates less heat.
6. Some brands of LED lighting is ‘plug and play’ it can easily be installed with some design pre-planning as a DIY project, as the range does not require an electrician.
7. research the range of switch options – there are many different options that enhance the chosen lighting system.
8. when purchasing lighting make sure it has been tested and meets Australian standards. If not, you are taking a potentially dangerous risk.
9. Lights can also be used internally, allowing your dark internal cupboard to be brought to life. Homeowners will enjoy the newfound ability to locate items that previously were difficult to find, making storage and much more user-friendly experience. To allow for lights within your cabinets make sure they are connected to a contact switch where the light will only turn on upon opening the drawer cupboard door.

At Benchmarc we will work with you to create you ideal lighting design for you next kitchen. Call us today.