The kitchen is a versatile room and the lighting must primarily be functional but also decorative. Functional lighting helps the chef see what he or she is doing while cooking and it helps them keep their fingers out from under the edge of the knife! Kitchen lighting has come a long way and it also needs to deliver atmosphere in the kitchen as the kitchen is nowadays used by the whole family and often ends up being the area where conversations are held after a long day at work.
There are a few types of lighting to consider for a kitchen that are mentioned here in no particular order. Central lighting with the fluorescent fixture being the most popular due to the amount of light emitted and the ease of keeping the fixture clean, including down lighters that can be positioned and angled to create plenty of light with the added benefit of setting mood, especially when used in conjunction with a dimmer. The advantage of a single fixture is that it is easy to clean the fixture but the downside of a single central fixture is that it will cast a shadow over your work as the light source will be behind you in most applications. This can be overcome by placing lighters above the work area or angled towards the work area.
Track lighting is also a very popular option due to the versatility of the lighting in that it can be moved and aimed in different positions to create different focal points similar to lighters with swivel heads. Installation of track lighting is relatively simple and will not normally incur high installation costs. The track consists of flexible cable that is strong and durable and it can be directed at many angles although it cannot be bent. It can be installed across rooms or from room to room over ceilings and at different heights. It can also be installed vertically down columns or walls or down stairs. Luminaires are attached where you want them anywhere on the track where they are needed to illuminate a work surface in the form of a spotlight or with pendants above your breakfast area. If you have an open plan kitchen, you may want to match the floor lamp in the adjacent area with your kitchen decor.
