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When remodeling your new kitchen, it’s easy to get wrapped up choosing the perfect surface material, flooring, appliances, and wall paint that you overlook one of the single most important elements in your design…the lighting!

The lighting in your kitchen plays a crucial role in the overall aesthetic of your design, as well as the function of your space.   Choosing the right lighting for your kitchen is essential in creating the overall look and feel that you aim to accomplish with your design.

Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may decide to choose just one or a combination of two or three different kinds of lighting.  The kinds of lighting that you will most likely be considering will come from one of three different types – general, task, or accent.  Here is a quick look at different popular options to light your new space from each of these three categories.

1. General Lighting

• Semi-Flush Mount: A semi-flush mount can range from simple to extravagant, depending on your style and budget. 
• Flush Mount Lighting: Affordable and simple, flush mount lighting can be incorporated into either contemporary or classic designs.
• Kitchen Island Chandelier: These chandeliers have a special elongated style especially for use over kitchen islands, and work great for general/ ambient lighting.

2. Task Lighting

• Mini Pendants: These kitchen light fixtures (miniature versions of pendant lights) work wonderfully over a kitchen island or bar, and provide much-needed task lighting in the kitchen.

• Ceiling Pendants: To provide a truly focused light, choose a style that emits light mainly through the bottom. These work great over your kitchen sink, or any other area where you perform frequent tasks.

3. Accent Lighting

• Under Cabinet Lights: Draw attention to your backsplash or granite countertops with under cabinet lights! They are fairly easy to install, and available in strip or “puck” varieties. There are also under cabinet lights that can plug directly into an outlet.

• Track Lighting: A hot trend in kitchen light fixtures, track lighting is very versatile and can be used for both general and accent lighting. Simply point the track head at the item in the kitchen you wish to spotlight!
• Wall Sconces: Does your kitchen have a wall or corner that’s particularly dark? A wall sconce is a wonderful solution, providing general lighting and a touch of pizzazz.

 Hopefully this lighting guide was able to provide you with a brief introduction and basic understanding of the different options you may consider when choosing the appropriate light for your kitchen.  If you are in the Kansas City area, and would like to speak with one of our design consultants about your project, please contact us!