An inexpensive, simple lighting upgrade can transform your kitchen’s look from boring to vibrant.
According to the American Lighting Association(ALA) Good lighting design makes kitchens more efficient, comfortable, and conducive to entertaining.
“Good lighting is vitally important in kitchens,”Jeff Dross is the corporate director for education at Kichler Lighting. “Perhaps more work in the home is done in the kitchen area than any other room, and having improper lighting would be tantamount to candles in a warehouse or flashlights on a factory floor.
“The task of food preparation is an essential, but sometimes tedious, one that’s done almost every day.” Dross continues. “Insufficient lighting can make cooking difficult and dangerous. Good lighting enhances the overall space and adds pleasure to using it.”
The very fact that kitchens are spaces where people spend a lot of time makes them valuable areas when reselling a home, as well. For this reason, many experts agree kitchen renovations are among the best ways to boost the value of your home. Along with bathrooms, kitchens are an integral part of the home to virtually everyone.
Unfortunately, when it comes time to updating kitchens with a new look, lighting does not always get the attention it deserves. According to Dross, this is to the detriment of home design.
“Lighting is as important as any design element, including wall coverings, flooring, and countertops.” says Dross. “This can make a kitchen look amazing and transform it into something extraordinary. Do you need to increase the room’s visual dimension without tearing down a wall or converting a wall? You can add lighting to the top of the cabinets and in the toe kick space.
“The importance of good, high lumen output for task (under-cabinet) lighting cannot be over emphasized,”Dross adds. “Wall-mounted cabinets create shadows on countertop work surfaces. The only way to alleviate those shadows (and the accompanying dark spots on the cutting board) is with under-cabinet lighting.”
You should also consider your energy consumption and, by extension, your electricity bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s report, American homeowners use electricity for lighting their kitchen more than any other area in the house. Invest in energy-efficient lighting for the kitchen to reduce electricity consumption.
To see the most up-to-date fixtures and shades, and to consult with a professionally trained lighting expert, visit your local ALA-member retailer, or go online to americanlightingassoc.com.
