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| Cool Ideas to Light Up Your Kitchen |
Choosing the lighting for your kitchen is a matter of both design and practicality. You want your lights to
make your kitchen look beautiful, but at the same time they must make it safe to use. While soft lighting might look good, you don't want to feel like you're fumbling in the dark when you have a knife in your hand. Bright kitchen lighting will open up the space, which is great if you have a small kitchen. And don't forget to make use of your windows, as well as putting in artificial lighting. Here are some great kitchen lighting ideas to inspire you to make some changes to your kitchen.
Statement Lighting
If you have a reasonably-sized kitchen, a large statement piece of lighting can give your kitchen that wow factor. For example, a chandelier will add a grand touch to a plain kitchen. It could take up a bit too much space in a smaller kitchen, but it's the perfect centerpiece if you want an eye-catching feature. Illuminate your kitchen cabinets or hang a crystal chandelier in the center of the room to bathe the whole room in sparkling light.
Under-cupboard Lights
Placing lights under your kitchen cupboards can help to light up all the dark corners of your kitchen. For example, the LED strip lights from
http://wattlite.co.uk use space that would otherwise go unused. And they bathe kitchen countertops in bright light. LED lights are perfect for under your cupboards because they're long-lasting. You don't need to replace any bulbs, and the running costs are low, so you're saving money at the same time.
Hang Lights Over an Island
Kitchens with an
island have a built-in focal point, perfect for socializing. Since you already have somewhere that's the center of your kitchen, emphasize its presence by hanging lights over the island. You can have low-hanging lights because they won't get in anyone's way over the island. How about some Middle Eastern inspired lanterns or some French lamps?
Mismatched Lights
Who says that everything in your kitchen has to match? If your kitchen lights don't match the rest of your fixtures perfectly, they'll stand out and be more eye-catching. You could even take it one step further and have your lights not even match each other. Give your kitchen a quirky, warm feel with a slightly chaotic design. This can look more interesting than perfectly matching fixtures and fittings.
Standing and Tabletop Lamps
You don't often find standing lamps in kitchens because they take up space, which you need for moving around when you cook. But if you have the room, either on your countertops or the floor, a lamp can make a unique lighting option. Either stand them in the counter or place them on the floor, in a corner.
When you choose your kitchen lighting, make sure you keep in mind what you use your kitchen for. Any lighting should be able to stand potential mess and dirt from cooking, as well as general dust and grime. It's best if you can clean your fixtures without too much fuss.