Kitchen Lighting Design
There is probably no room in a house in
which lighting is more important than the
kitchen. It is the hub of the house and
often a room where people spend a great
deal of money making it look good. The
kitchen is also a task intensive room not
just for cooking but for paying the bills
and doing homework as well.
One common mistake when devising a lighting layout is to  use natural
light from windows and skylights. From a lighting standpoint, we don't
want to include natural light into the picture. The only time we want to
consider natural lighting is not placement, but in control. In a room where
natural light enters from one side, our eyes make the dark  side seem
darker. By having a bank of lighting on the inside wall a balance of light is
created.

A kitchen lighting layout unlike most rooms, must be designed around the
layout to be most effective. Once a floor plan for the kitchen cabinets has
been decided on a lighting plan can be designed.

The first order of business is the general lighting. There are many options
and attributes that affect how we design the lighting. Our first priority
should be the customers wants and needs as well as likes and dislikes.
Some people like fluorescent while others don't. Other people may like
recessed lighting but don't want to see large cans.

In the Photo Galleries you can see how a combination of several different
lighting types can compliment a kitchen. Recessed lights in a kitchen have
the advantage of being placed in such a way to light certain areas.
Pendants over a  island or peninsula can add style as well as function.      
 Under cabinet lighting provides task light and a certain ambiance as well
as showcasing a counter top or back splash.

Placed in such a way to light certain areas. Pendants over a  island or
peninsula can add style as well as function. Under cabinet lighting
provides task light and a certain ambiance as well as showcasing a
beautiful counter top or back splash.

Under cabinet lighting is an important aspect of a kitchen. There are
various forms of under cabinet lighting. Fluorescent is the most cost
effective. The cons are it is bright and not easily dimmable.Halogen or
xenon puck lights are another option. They are among the cheapest
forms of under cabinet lights. The cons are the lighting effect is rather
spotty. Low voltage linear lighting is one of my favorite methods for
under cabinet illumination. The cons are it is cost prohibitive.
(C)Copyright 2003 Forte Electric Inc.
General Lighting in a kitchen should
be well placed to spread light evenly
throughout the room and illuminate the
areas of importance well.
 Task Lighting is especially important
in a kitchen. Counter top work areas
need good lighting for food preparation
 Accent Lighting can turn a nice kitchen
into a masterpiece of good taste. Under
the cabinets, over the cabinets and even
inside the cabinets can add a touch of
class.
Forte Electric
Kitchen Lighting Design