Previously, the kitchen was only referred to as the room where food was prepared for the family. Nowadays, however, the modern kitchen-living room is considered the center of the home: this is where people cook, eat together with family and celebrate special occasions with friends. In order for this area to best meet all of these requirements, you should plan the right kitchen lighting. Which light is best for the kitchen, which and how many lamps do you need for functional lighting and other helpful tips on the subject can be found in this article.
Which light in the kitchen?
If you have oneKitchen renovationIf you are planning a kitchen or are building a completely new kitchen, you should pay special attention to the lighting. Since modern kitchens often consist of several areas that require different amounts of light, a single light source is not enough at all. For work areas where you cut, process food and prepare food, a completely different light is required than, for example, above the dining table. Therefore, when planning, a distinction is made between three separate components: basic lighting, work light and dining table lighting.
On the whole, white light is recommended for all areas of the kitchen. However, the work area requires several lumens per square meter than the other areas because the light needs to be particularly strong and as bright as possible when working. As far as the light color is concerned, a neutral white light is best suited for the work surface, whereasfor the room lightand the lighting of the dining area should be warm white.
If you want to plan good lighting in the kitchen and choose the best light bulbs for this area, then it's best to use LED kitchen lamps. These have high energy efficiency and are considered to be very durable, which is very advantageous for rooms such as the kitchen. The lamps there are switched on often and for long periods of time, so an energy-saving option is definitely worth it. Besides, they areLED lightsThey are even dimmable and are very suitable for atmospheric lighting.
The basic lighting in the kitchen
Of course, you should first consider the basic lighting of the room. Acentral room lightshould not be missing in any kitchen, as it provides orientation and ensures an even distribution of light in the room. Therefore, ceiling lights with a shade that is too narrow are rather unsuitable as central lighting for the kitchen. The perfect selection for this area aremulti-flame spots and spotlights, which can be rotated in any direction.
The right kitchen lamps should also be as easy to clean as possible, because even with a high ceiling, dirt and grease will settle on the lamps. For the same reason, fabric lampshades should be avoided in the kitchen.
And how many lumens per square meter are recommended for basic lighting in the kitchen? Since this lighting is not intended for work surfaces, 300 lumens per square meter is completely sufficient. For a kitchen that is 15 square meters in size, for example, 4500 lumens of brightness are recommended. The central kitchen lighting should also radiate a feeling of well-being, which is why warm white light is best suited for this.
The right light for the work areas
The areas in the kitchen where you cook, wash and prepare food should receive the greatest amount of light. These are primarily the worktops, the kitchen island, as well as the stove and the sink. A neutral white light with an illuminance of no less than 500 lumens per square meter is recommended.
The lighting of the work areas should also be shadow-free so that the upper cabinets or you yourself do not cast a shadow on the worktops. For ceiling lighting, the light source should be approximately 100 cm from the wall if there are wall cabinets. However, if there are no upper cabinets above the worktop, a distance of 60 cm from the wall is sufficient.
A popular lighting concept for kitchens with upper cabinets are under-cabinet lights. These are installed under the cupboards and illuminate the work surfaces from above without any shadows. A clear, neutral white light is suitable for this. LED strips are the perfect choice for this and offer a long-lasting and functional option if you want to plan energy-saving kitchen lighting. Even if the LEDs are permanently installed, you should not be afraid that they will become defective. Their lifespan is typically between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, which is approximately 20 years with an average burn time of 4 hours per day. In addition, defective lights can also be easily repaired if necessary.
Properly plan lighting over the dining area
The kitchen-living room with associated dining area is a dream of many apartment owners and represents a popular living concept that characterizes the modern apartment. If your own kitchen also has a dining area, then you should plan good kitchen lighting for that too. The light there should create a cozy atmosphere, so a warm white light is best. Dimmable lights offer a wonderful idea for romantics who want to enjoy a romantic dinner with their partner every now and then.
When it comes to kitchen lamps for the dining area, you're definitely in the right place with beautiful pendant lights. Their number and design depend on the size and shape of the dining table. A round pendant lamp, for example, is perfect for a round or square table, whereas it is the same for long rectangular tablesseveral pendant lightsor an elongated hanging lamp fits perfectly.
An important aspect that should be taken into account when attaching the pendant light is the distance to the dining table. Under no circumstances should the lamp hang too low, as it could disrupt communication with the other person. The ideal distance between the lamp and the table should be 60 to 70 centimeters. The same applies to higher wefts in the kitchen.
Beautiful lighting with decorative lights
If you have already taken care of the basic lighting, the kitchen lamps for the work area and the hanging lights above the dining table, then you can create a very special atmosphere with decorative lights. Decorative lights can be used to create wonderful lighting accents in the kitchen, giving the room a homely character. Color-changing LED strips are often used to create unusual effects. Indirect lighting can successfully highlight certain areas and transform the kitchen into a very special living space.
