Illuminating Kitchens 

Now that the kitchen has become the central hub of the home, it’s sociable rather than simply utilitarian. You’ll certainly prep and cook in there, but chances are you’ll also dine, entertain, do homework, watch TV and possibly even lounge. 

David Amos, MD of Amos Lighting in Exeter, says the most common mistakes made in kitchen lighting are “over-lighting by using too many downlights, or having recessed lights in the wrong location. This only presents itself when using the kitchen for the first time and you are standing in a shadow. Or, it’s so bright that there’s lots of uncomfortable glare.” For an effective but achievable scheme, David recommends introducing layers of lighting that can work individually or in harmony. By having pendants, recessed lights and cabinet lights on different switches and with dimmers, you can create different moods and areas of focus, without ever feeling it’s too bright or too dark. 

A multi-tasking room demands versatile lighting. Think of zones (cooker, sink, over cabinets, under counters, islands, dining tables), mood (crisp for function, warm for relaxation), style (do you want lights to be low key or design features?) and, most importantly, what your most frequent tasks will be. Planning is key, and there’s a lot to consider…