Kitchen Lighting Madison WI - Improving Efficiency in the Kitchen

A single light fixture will never be enough to illuminate a single room to make it functional. When a room is not adequately illuminated, doing some work or activities in that room may be challenging, dangerous, or even impossible, especially at night. A multi-purpose room such as the kitchen should be functional for the many uses it serves to a family. For Kitchen Lighting Madison, one of the most effective and affordable ways to do so is light layering.

What is light layering?

Light layering means using multiple sources of light to make a room look brighter and more functional. There are two possible sources of light - natural and artificial lighting. In light layering, designers find ways to supplement natural light sources to optimize the space's usefulness and create an atmosphere. With proper and adequate lighting, cooking, cleaning, eating, or just hanging out in the kitchen becomes a much more comfortable and pleasurable experience.

The Three General Types of Lighting

There are three general types of lighting:

Ambient Lighting

This is artificial lighting that is your primary source of illumination for the room. It provides glare-free illumination and serves to supplement natural lighting. In most homes, the ambient lighting is controlled by a switch. Common examples of fixtures that provide ambient lighting are flush mount or semi-flush mount lights, chandeliers, pendant lights, wall sconces, torchieres, and cove lighting.
Task Lighting

As the name implies, task lighting provides focused and brighter light beams to reduce straining when doing specific tasks. Fixtures that provide task lighting include pendant lights, under-cabinet lighting, table lamps, and floor lamps.
Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is used for aesthetic purposes. These fixtures highlight unique parts or features of a room. They also effectively add mood and personality to the kitchen. Fixtures that provide accent lighting for the kitchen are wall sconces, picture lights, recessed lighting, and LED lights.

General Rules for Light Layering in the Kitchen:

Getting the lighting right in your kitchen can dramatically improve its efficiency. After all, the kitchen is a workspace. Here are simple rules to help you create a light plan for your kitchen:

Check your kitchen’s layout to visualize where light may become obstructed and where shadows fall.
Choosing lower lumens for ambient lighting is okay. Lumens, not watts, determine the brightness of a bulb. As a general rule, 20 lumens per square foot is needed to create adequate ambient lighting.
When choosing task lighting, go for adjustable fixtures. Select fixtures with movable arms or have dimming capabilities.
Select fixtures that harmonize with the decor and architecture of your home. You do not have to choose fixtures of the same materials.
Depending on the brightness of task and accent lighting, they can produce adequate ambient lighting when used together.
If you need help deciding the placement, size, and lighting specifications, professional service will be valuable.

Achieve your most efficient kitchen yet with us.

We can help you improve the attractiveness and efficiency of your kitchen. Contact Kitchen Lighting Madison to get in touch with a light layering expert.

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