Kitchen Lighting
Buying Guide
How to properly light your kitchen
We explore the terms, features and products for the best solution for your application
Overview
Kitchens need proper and planned illumination.
Think about it. In most cases, you are actually dimming lights like when watching TV or reading on an iPad in bed. Also, you can’t light a kitchen with lamps like a living room, hallway or bedroom, so kitchen lighting needs to be designed properly the first time. As kitchens and dining rooms have merged into one Great Room there are more
objects to light than ever before. It has become more complicated unless you have the right plan.
Table of Contents
The Kelvin Scale
The Kelvin Scale determines the quality of light by color. Each light quality has different applications.
Types of Light
Fluorescent, Incandescent and LED are the most popular but each has distinct advantages and differences.
Four Elements of Lighting
When properly designing a lighting layout there are 4 elements to consider: Task, Accent, Decorative and Ambient.
Executing the Plan
We look at several projects that have designed a kitchen properly and show you what you need to look for to do it right.
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Kelvin Scale
The Quality of Light
Kelvin Scale Graph
The Kelvin scale plots light quality on a scale from 0-5000 degrees (most commonly). Each type of bulb will have a different degree depending if it’s fluorescent, LED, halogen or incandescent.
Candle Light
Makes everyone look good, most closely emulated by incandescent bulbs
Daylight
A very blue light, good at distinguishing darker colors
Task + Accent
Rated at 2700-3200 degrees for best effects
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Note
Halogen and xenon casts a “whiter” light. It’s only a couple hundred degrees “whiter” than a yellow incandescent.
Kelvin Scale
The Kelvin scale measures lighting quality in degrees from 0-5000. 5000 degrees on the quality scale most closely emulates sunlight. Now you wouldn’t think sunlight as bad, but it washes out earth tones and accentuates blacks and blues.
Fluorescent (not color rendering) is the closest to sunlight. You want to use this light in your closet for distinguishing darker colors, but keep it out of your kitchen.
Incandescent is the most favorable type of light despite its lack of efficiency. It renders yellow and adds color to earth tones like fire (everyone looks good in candle light). Incandescent renders at 2500-2700 degrees Kelvin. So for task and accent lighting, you want the Kelvin between 2700-3200 degrees. Unfortunately, there is no regulatory body for Kelvin adherence, so we recommend you see the light working for yourself before purchasing.
Types of Light
Fluorescent, Incandescent and LED
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Fluorescent Lighting
Fluorescent is the original energy saving bulb. It lasts around 7 years and doesn’t emit the heat of an incandescent bulb; 100 degrees versus 300 degrees for an incandescent.
Fluorescent has the reputation for high Kelvin, low quality of light with an inability to be dimmed. Yet for years people placed a huge fluorescent light in the middle of their kitchen.
There have been some advances in fluorescent. If you are replacing, buy Color Rendering Fluorescent for better quality and ability to be dimmed.
The Original Energy Saver
Incandescent Lighting
Without question, incandescent, in all its iterations like halogen, low voltage and xenon, has the best quality of light.
It’s yellowish hue renders well, especially for earthtones found in kitchens and baths. Unfortunately, every other aspect is bad.
Incandescent lighting was invented in the 1880s and is only 10% efficient. 90% is wasted heat. The lamp life is only 750 hours, with more longevity with a xenon bulb.
The Best Quality of Light
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LED Lighting
Light Emitting Diodes. LED has been around since the 1980s. LED offers unbelievable efficiency at 90% and 13-year lamp life with the color rendering of incandescent.
LED does not emit much heat. Although the quality is improving, you still have to see the light before purchasing. LED renders bluish naturally and needs to be filtered. The claims of 2700-3200 Kelvin can be exaggerated by some brands. Still, LED should be considered for almost any application including the kitchen.
The Energy Efficient Alternative
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It is more expensive, but will pay for itself in reduced energy costs after 2-3 years. If you are retrofitting LED from incandescent, you
will need to change your dimmers and
switches. LED uses less power than a normal/older switch can detect.
Four Elements of Lighting
Task, Accent, Decorative & Ambient
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Four Elements of Lighting
Task Lighting
Provides the general lighting for the space. Most common task fixtures are recessed, track and under cabinet lighting, we’ll detail each.
Accent Lighting
Highlights objects. This is usually accomplished with a low voltage or now LED spotlight shined directly on an object.
Decorative Lighting
Decorative are chandeliers, flush mounts, semi flush, pendants and sconces which personalize the room or area.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient is the most overlooked lighting element, yet it provides the main environmental lighting.
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There are 4 elements to proper illumination: Task, Accent,
Decorative and Ambient. The next few slides will detail each.
Task Lighting
Task provides the general lighting for the space. Most common task fixtures are
recessed, track and under cabinet lighting. Task is the skeleton of the plan. For this use recessed or track as well as under cabinet lighting.
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Task Lighting – Recessed Lighting
Recessed is defined as the “can” or electrical part in the ceiling and the “trim” or the part you actually see in the room.
The most popular recessed light is a simple glare-reducing 4” or 5” baffle. Recessed is a really clean, linear and timeless look for a kitchen.
Although each plan is different depending on the ceiling height and kitchen flow, standard installation is 12-24” off the cabinets with one every 3-4 feet apart. Do not place the lighting behind you in the main working areas. It will create shadowing and block the actual light.
Related Resource: How to Buy a Recessed Light
Recessed Lighting at Yale
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Task Lighting – Track Lighting
Track lighting has become popular because it adds personality and convenience in a way recessed lighting cannot.
Track is available in lengths of 2, 4, 6 and 8 foot. The lights can be placed anywhere on the track itself, so it doesn’t have to be planned as exactly as recessed. It can also be used in tougher applications like post and beam ceiling, unlike recessed.
Our appliance showroom is lit exclusively by track, because our displays are forever changing. The ceiling also has no space above for the recessed housing.
Related Resource: How to Light a Kitchen: Track vs Recessed
Track Lighting Application
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Task Lighting – Under Cabinet
Under cabinet lighting illuminates the kitchen counters and can provide night lighting as well.
We cover under cabinet lighting in it’s own guide, but it should definitely be considered in any kitchen. There are new ways to light under the cabinets which include iPad docking as well as portable BlueTooth speakers.
Related Resource: Under Cabinet Lighting Guide
Legrand Under Cabinet Display
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LED Tape
Accent Lighting
Accent highlights objects like pictures, works of art, flowers and glassware.
This is usually accomplished with a low voltage, or now LED, spot shined directly on an object. Under cabinet also qualifies as accent lighting, because it accents as well as illuminates the countertops.
You never want to light any room with just accent lighting. Accent lighting should be used in conjunction with other forms lighting. It should compliment the space and highlight important objects.
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Accent Lighting Examples
Decorative Lighting
Decorative are chandeliers, flush mounts, pendants and sconces that add personality to the room.
Decorative fixtures add personality. A common mistake is using decorative as the main source of light. A fixture with high wattage bulbs will add more glare than comfortable light.
For larger kitchens with islands, look at grouping 2 or 3 smaller pendants together.
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Decorative Lighting Examples
Decorative Lighting Examples
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Ambient Lighting
Ambient is the most overlooked element, yet it provides the main environmental lighting.
It is lighting the ceiling or up-lighting in general. It can be accomplished by pendants, under cabinet lighting placed in soffits as well as certain sconces as well.
Ambient Lighting Examples
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Executing the Plan
Examples of proper kitchen lighting plans
Kitchen Applications
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Kitchen Applications
Kitchen Applications
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Kitchen Applications
Kitchen Applications
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Kitchen Applications
Conclusion
Lay out the task lighting. Be mindful of lighting heavily trafficked areas like sink and stove
Add under cabinet lighting. Do not place lights behind you as it will obscure the light
Don’t be afraid to personalize with different decorative elements. Use pendants for islands, nooks
and peninsulas
Don’t forget ambient lighting. Use a semi-flush fixture or light the soffits with under cabinet lighting
Use accent lighting, especially when highlighting glass
Have some fun with it. People spend more time in the kitchen these days. You want to enjoy the
environment
When planning your kitchen’s lighting design, keep in mind...
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A Little About Us
We have been awarded Best of Boston, Best of Yelp and Best of Angie’s List.
In 2013, we have been nominated for Lighting Showroom of the Year in North America by Residential Lighting Magazine.
Read more about us here
We have been doing business in Boston for over 90 years and are committed to offering the best service possible for our customers.
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Kitchen Lighting at Yale
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Kitchen Lighting at Yale
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Kitchen Lighting at Yale
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Kitchen Lighting at Yale
Kitchen Lighting at Yale
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Contact Information
For product recommendations, questions or anything else please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Facebook: fb.com/YaleApplianceLighting
Address: 296 Freeport St., Boston, MA
Website: www.yaleappliance.com Blog: blog.yaleappliance.com Email: [email protected] Twitter: @MyYale 44 Phone: 617-825-9253