How to improve kitchen lighting

Is your kitchen poky, drab or difficult to work in? It may not need a facelift or rebuild at all, inadequate or inappropriate lighting could be the problem. Lighting can make a world of difference to any room, but particularly to a functional one like the kitchen where work lighting is so important to safety as well as comfort. Redesigning your lighting can make the space more beautiful and practical as well as making it feel bigger.

Improving kitchen lighting

Your kitchen lighting can be improved in a variety of subtle or dramatic ways. Before beginning, though, it is important to note that any changes that are required to fittings, cabling or other electrical infrastructure must be completed by a licensed electrician. You must never do this work yourself, although it is safe to change light bulbs and reset safety switches.

Improve the look and feel of your kitchen using these simple tips:

• First, consider how the current lighting interacts with the natural light and other features of your kitchen. A repaint in a lighter colour or a rich warm colour can change the way the room absorbs or reflects light
• Consider a light tube or skylight to add diffused ambient natural lighting to a dark kitchen
• Task lighting is of great importance in a kitchen, for safety as well as enjoyment and practical reasons. One central light is rarely the way to go, as it casts shadows and corners where you don't want them, and your body will block the light you require to work
• Track lighting can work well as task lighting in kitchens, as it enables you to change the positions of the lights to suit your kitchen's design
• Recessed lighting for counters and workbenches is ideal for kitchens. Try softer but clear lights in these areas, even ones with a yellowish glow
• Use accent lighting to pick out areas that you want noticed. Accent lighting can throw light on beautiful furniture or features such as a large vase of flowers
• Use drop down hanging lights over benches, tables or islands meant for eating at. The height of your table will dictate the length of the cords
• If you simply want to improve on what you have without changing too much, use smaller table lights at important points
• If your kitchen has come equipped with fluorescent strip lighting, this will have to go! No kitchen looks anything other than clinical and cold with this type of lighting, and it brings out the worst features while providing little useful light where you need it

Changing the feel and workability of your kitchen can be as easy as adding a few lights, or changing one central one for a few more subtle ones.

Kitchen lights

Never be afraid to change your kitchen lighting, as most kitchens could really stand to be improved by this. If yours is dark, shadowy or simply not a pleasant space to be in, then consider how your lights work with the rest of the furniture and design, and with the colours of your kitchen. A few single lights could be all you need to transform the space completely. Remember, though, to always use a licensed electrician for any electrical work.