Friday, February 25, 2011

Making The Kitchen A More Social Place

By Becky Ponder


It wasn't too long ago when the kitchen was meant simply for cooking, rather than a common area in the home. People would use their kitchen to cook and then clean up. Many people say the reason for this was due to poor lighting options in the past. It wasn't as relaxing and pleasant to eat in these conditions, but things have clearly changed!

The way kitchens used to get their lighting was through a hanging fluorescent tube from the center of the ceiling. While these lights did provide plenty of light, they didn't make the room feel very warm and comfortable.

Just like most things in our homes, the kitchen has evolved. It's a common room to pass time and hang out in. There were never kitchen islands and breakfast bars back in the day. There were never plasma TVs and lounging areas back then. Now many kitchens have these things to help make it more comfortable and socially inviting. One thing many kitchens do still lack is proper lighting.

The lighting has come a very long way since fluorescent light tubes, but most kitchens do miss some key aspects in properly lighting the kitchen. Most kitchens rely on recessed lighting now, which do a great job at lighting the room. However, these ceiling lights usually don't provide enough light for other things like reading recipes or prepping food. The recessed ceiling lights will typically create a shadow hovering over the counter due to the way most walls and counter tops are positioned.

The most effective way to give off lighting in the kitchen is definitely ceiling lights, but you still need to provide the support of additional lights. There are several different styles and options to choose from.

Pendant lights and strip lighting (for wall units) are two of the most popular options. Pendant lights will give you some bright lights as they hang over your prep area or your breakfast bar while creating a chic look. Strip lights go great in or even under a wall unit to provide some extra light on the counters.

If you're uncertain about what size lights to use, the size of the wall unit can help figure this out. One popular lighting design on a glass wall unit has been including the lighting inside the glass wall unit. LED lighting is a great way to add a touch of modern style and provide the extra light needed in the kitchen.

As you shop around, do not rush the process. There are many different ways to add light to your kitchen and once you're complete with this project you'll enjoy cooking and lounging in the kitchen even more!




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