Thinking of going the traditional route with your kitchen lighting? There are actually many novel design ideas you can try instead, and many of them proved better results than the tired, old overhead fixtures. Better still, these lighting options won’t cost you much more than your typical lighting fixtures, and the results can be much more impressive.
Nowadays, there are many options in functional lighting that look good and perform well. Often referred to as “functional sculptures”, these monorail lights are great for adding pizzazz to a drab, old kitchen. Because they are fixed onto a flexible metal track, these types of lights can be shaped into graceful, flowing curves, and even be fixed along uneven surfaces. Monorail lights are available in a wide variety of shapes, colors, and designs.
It is rare that a kitchen will require only one type of lighting. In most cases, you will need to install different types of lighting for specific areas of the kitchen such as the sink, the counter, and the dining area (if you have one). Each of these areas is associated with specific tasks, so it makes perfect sense to tailor your lights according to each specific need. You might find for example, that you need a hanging light for the table, recessed lights over the sink, and spotlights over the counter. By planning out your kitchen lighting according to specific tasks, you will get a much more functional kitchen without any dead spots or overly illuminated areas.
Think about the color of your lights as well. What you should go for is a warm and even glow that illuminates the room and complements your overall design as well. White light is generally the best option, as it is the closest color to natural light. It also reflects easily, so you might find that you need much less light than you initially thought.