Olga

Lighting your kitchen properly has many rewards. Reason No. 1 being so you don't cut your finger when chopping things, but also for the overall look and feel of your kitchen, proper lighting is important. Even interior designers are seeking the help of lighting designers to help them provide functional and beautiful lighting for their clients' kitchens.

So what are the lighting experts saying? Four types of lighting for any room, including the kitchen, are ideal. There should be general lighting, task lighting, accent lighting and decorative. This gives a sort of layered look.

General lighting illuminates the entire space as you come into the room and helps you move around safely. The most common types of general lighting are fluorescent fixtures on the ceiling. Also down lights in recessed cans serve the same purpose and do it more attractively.

Task lighting illuminates with a shadow-free light directly at a work surface. Under-counter lighting can provide task lighting in the kitchen and puck or strip halogen lights installed underneath the cabinet are the most common and effective choices for task illumination for counter work surfaces. In addition to task lighting, under-counter lights can provide soft lighting for ambiance. Key locations for task lighting are anywhere you will be chopping, slicing and reading recipes. And don't forget the pantry. Bright, task lighting is needed there also.

Accent lighting is used to highlight any architectural feature or decorative accessory. Kitchens are used for socializing at party time so hanging a piece of artwork in the kitchen is common and an accent light on the art makes a lot of sense. It can create dramatic impact in any room. Spotlights and up lights can be used also, though not as often. What is used frequently and with good reason are pendant lights.

Now, for the decorative lighting in this room. It is the most expensive item in your lighting design so let's pay good attention to this. Decorative lighting is great but can be overdone or underdone so choose wisely. Decorative lighting should be considered in direct proportion to the size of your kitchen. If you have a large kitchen, a larger decorative light is in order such as a chandelier. Smaller kitchens do well with small pendant lights. Decorative lighting is important and as mentioned, can be expensive. Plan on using some sort of decorative light in the kitchen even if you can't afford it right away. Install junction boxes where you plan on later installing a decorative light so when the time is right and the money is available, you can go for it without great effort.

As Carvaggio painted light into his art, using lighting properly in your kitchen can make the room illuminate artistically.