Illuminating a working area such as the kitchen is not only necessary but also an opportunity to enhance the ambience and complexity of the built-in fixtures. With clever lighting techniques a kitchen can, literally take on a whole new dimension.

Augmenting the good

Lighting a specific feature is the best way to bring attention to its beauty as the eye automatically focuses on illuminated points. This requires planning as to which area you want people to concentrate on and notice. By the same token, areas considered an eyesore can be downplayed by being left in relative darkness.

Here are a few simple rules when lighting a kitchen:

• Lighting should be first and foremost functional
• In an open-plan kitchen dimmers are handy to tone down the work area when eating
• Countertop spots and cupboards that are lit up give the kitchen depth
• Consider whether your appliances will have built-in lighting when planning the layout of your kitchen lighting
• If natural lighting is limited in the day, consider using long life globes to light up busy areas during the day
• Light should fall in front of you and not behind your head

Sea Gull Lighting Disk Light Kit

Progress Lighting Kitchen Pendant

Pot Rack Chandelier

Downplaying the bad

Whatever you do, don't light up areas that may become cluttered. Rather opt for a roll-up shutter door and screen off the area, like coffee cabins and appliance housing cupboards.

Bringing it all together

Lighting can be one of the feature points in a kitchen. By creating a large bulkhead above an island, down-lighting sports can be inset to generate a soft glow emanating from a large protrusion. This functions as an emphasis for the main prep area and also brings the bulbs closer to the work surface.

Likewise, elongated panel lighting can be suspended above an exposed area to constitute an all-over glare above the ain pre sport without detracting from the cupboards.

Very often this type of lighting is incorporated into an extractor if the hob is fitted into the island. The suspended chimney then has a dual purpose.