The kitchen is often a second living space where not only meals are prepared, but comfort is also sought. Adequate lighting is therefore essential to create the desired atmosphere. Lighting in the kitchen should serve both functional and cozy purposes. With our tips, you can effectively light your kitchen. If you are looking for suitable lamps and lights, you will certainly find what you are looking for at ledonline.de.
Kitchen lighting must meet special requirements
To create an ideal lighting environment in the kitchen, it must be ensured that the room is well-lit and that no shadowed areas are created in the work zones. This can be achieved through a combination of ambient, secondary, and task lighting, with each serving its own purpose.
It is also important to choose lights that are easy to clean, energy-efficient, and glare-free. A recommended guideline for central kitchen lighting is a light intensity of at least 300 lumens per square meter, while work areas should have an optimal brightness of about 500 lumens.
Optimal lighting is the be-all and end-all in the kitchen
The light color is not insignificant in the kitchen
When it comes to lighting, it is important to choose warm white light with a color temperature between 2,700 and 3,000 Kelvin to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. For secondary lighting in the dining area, a color temperature of about 2,700 Kelvin is advantageous to ensure the area appears neither too bright nor too dark.
For cozy and functional lighting around the dining table, pendant lights with dimmers are recommended. For the work surface and cooking area, however, neutral white light with a color temperature between 3,300 and 5,300 Kelvin is better, as it renders the colors of the food well and facilitates concentrated cooking.
Basic lighting
Basic lighting is essential for orientation and overview in the kitchen. This is usually achieved through the use of ceiling lights. However, recessed lights such as downlights, surface-mounted lights such as spots and spotlights, or pendant lights are also suitable for basic lighting. In difficult room conditions and with limited power outlets, flexible track systems are the best choice. Lights such as LED panels, which offer the possibility of changing the color temperature, can also be considered.
Lighting the individual kitchen zones
General lighting in the kitchen is not sufficient for comprehensive lighting planning; additional lighting is required for specific areas such as the dining area and the kitchen unit. This additional lighting, also known as secondary lighting, highlights certain room elements and supports the lighting of the kitchen island, counter, dining area, and work area. Recessed lights that can be adjusted horizontally and vertically to the individual zones are the ideal solution for this. Pendant lights that complement the kitchen decor can also be used to set striking design accents, especially in the dining area.
Worktop lighting must ensure safety
When cooking, adequate lighting is important to avoid injuries and promote concentration. Work surfaces should be brightly and directly lit without glare. When working in the kitchen, it is important to avoid shadows. LED light strips, under-cabinet lights, or recessed furniture lights above the work surface or under wall cabinets and shelves can be an effective solution.
In many kitchens, lighting is installed above the work areas, but it is often insufficient for cooking. The right lighting is important to avoid injuries while working in the kitchen, and it may make sense to switch to LED light strips or furniture lights to obtain better illumination. A common and effective way to light the work area in the kitchen is using LED under-cabinet lights. These lights provide direct, uniform, and shadow-free illumination without glare.
Combining direct and indirect lighting
To ensure a uniform appearance, it is important to divide each room into zones that require different types of lighting. In the kitchen, a combination of direct and indirect lighting is important to get the right amount of light for cooking and cleaning. Direct lighting should be used over work surfaces and kitchen islands, while indirect lighting is ideal for shelves, kitchen cabinets, or extractor hoods.
In the dining area, both types of lighting can be used to create a cozy atmosphere with different light colors. However, it is important that a pleasant overall atmosphere is created in the dining area. The use of LED strips or LED light strips allows for indirect lighting of the kitchen with strong light effects.
