SUCCESSFUL Lighting Design is:

1) Light fixtures which are sufficient to all activities.

2) Light fixtures which emphasize the architecture & design without being obtrusive unless they are accents.

3) Light fixtures which are energy efficient.

4) A lighting plan which passes the plan checker on the first submittal.

Needs
Since the kitchen is the heart of the house, more varied activities take place within it than in any other space. Active needs: food prep & cooking, clean up, dining, socializing, relaxing, studying, desk work, phone calls and messaging, menu planning, TV watching, feeding  pets.  Passive needs: storage of foods and beverages, dishes, silver, cleaning supplies. Satisfying these needs in a kitchen remodel can be a daunting task to the uninitiated.  However, with an experienced space planner and an interior design professional, who knows products and understands how to submit plans, a kitchen can be well-coordinated and beautiful. With planning expertise, the entire lighting and electrical plan can be carefully anticipated and executed.

Types of Fixtures

Light fixtures fall into three main categories: Ambient, Accent, and Task.  The effects of these three types of lighting should be layered and overlapped from the ceiling to the countertops, since no one type of light fixture can do the trick of serving all needs.

For example, Ambient light fixtures might be recessed cans, track lights and/or pendants and sconces.  Pendants & sconces should be coordinated to emphasize design style as accents. Under cabinet light fixtures, concealed behind a light valance, provide good work light for the chef. There are many different types of slim under cabinet lights.  There may be up lights over wall cabinets to provide reflected ceiling light or ambient lighting.  These will add a sense of spaciousness.

Lamps

Beyond just the look or style of the light fixture, the color of the lamps (bulbs) must be understood and designated for evenness of tone throughout, due to the color rendering variations.  These range from full spectrum daylight (which is really quite white or cool) to warm candle light tones.  Incandescent is golden and fluorescent includes more colors of light or a broader spectrum.  Consider also that incandescent lamps dim with time, becoming warmer in color. Fluorescent lamps remain stable in color.

Requirement & Efficiency

Kitchen lighting requirements and design are moving toward a greater use of fluorescent lights, which now have a high color rendition and greater efficiency.  There are now many handsome, sophisticated fluorescent light fixtures available.  A good interior design professional filters through many products to reach the ones of better design and style that cannot be found in the retail market place.

For efficiency and savings on your energy bill and for plans which comply with new government regulations, look for the Energy Star symbol on light fixtures.  It represents a program of the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that establishes standards, guidelines and testing for light fixtures which must use two-thirds less energy while providing the same quantity and quality of light as incandescent. More than seventy manufacturers produce over 3,000 Energy Star qualified fixtures now. In addition to energy savings on your bill, this preserves energy resources, and generates less pollution at the power plant.  These types of fixtures were thought of previously only for commercial use, but the need for energy savings is comprehensive now and the lighting industry is getting in step.

Switching

The placement and type of switches for kitchen remodels comes once the lights are determined.  There are dimmers which make the lighting more flexible, save energy and replacement costs, as well as pre-set types of controls. Fluorescent fixtures must be switched independently from incandescent fixtures which are dimmable.  However, some new fluorescents are dimmable.

Electrical & Lighting Plans

Electrical and appliance needs of the kitchen remodel go hand in hand with the lighting needs during the planning.  Knowing what the appliances are to be used and their electrical requirements is an important part of good electrical & lighting plans. This can affect the budget too. Outlets in the counter work area (island included) must not be more than four feet apart and need to be on at least two independent circuits (connected to the electrical service box).

Your Designer

As experienced interior design professionals, Chang Interiors knows how to provide you with a beautifully lit kitchen remodel.  We take care of all the technical details to create an enjoyable kitchen atmosphere.

Example

Here is a kitchen with examples of the three types of lighting: Ambient:  recessed cans, pendants, and over the cabinet up lights; Accent: pendants; Task: under cabinet lighting.