As a kitchen designer I am often asked "how do we brighten up our kitchen"
10 ways to brighten up your kitchen
10 ways to brighten up your kitchen
Let's talk style! Lighting is an accessory, end of story. Think of it as such. It says something, a big something. Whatever you want it to say, it says it, and says it loudly. Do you want to pick something safe? It will say safe. Do you want style that's "out there"? That's your message. What's the point? Take your fixture design SERIOUSLY pleaseput TIME into choosing your lighting accessories.
Pendants hang em LOW! Low is cozy. Low is dining table-like. Low is cool. If your mother tells you they are too low, you know they're close to perfect, and maybe a little bit lower will do. If your contractor says they're too low, lower them two feet! And, no, you need not worry as much as you think you need to worry, about the fixtures bumping your head. See? I knew you were thinking that!
Pendants hang em HIGH! Some pendants look okay hung high, and they would be wider/bigger/fatter fixtures, please, not the small ones hung high. Please! They will look lost, or worse, insignificant. I can think of lots more adjectives of an unfortunately negative nature for small pendants hung high!
Pendants hang em CLOSE TOGETHER! They do not have to be hung 3 apart (yawn) over the island. Put a few close together, especially on a smaller island. Where you'd normally put 2, put 3 closer together.
Does the island have a seating area? Put two different types of fixtures on the islandpendants on the work part, a larger fixture to feature the seated part.
Mix your metals, finishes, colorsdo it with care, I don't want the lighting police banging on your door, but get creative with complementary styles and color.
Don't forget the dimmers.
Recessed lighting Save the planet and use CFL (flourescent fixtures)
Under cabinet (not under counter as it is typically called) lighting There are several choices I like the Kitchler fixture with xenon bulbs. LED lighting is another choice its crazily energy efficient!
Recessed Lighting There are two schools of thoughtthe recessed lighting plan is either
Equally spaced in a logical grid type pattern.
Positioned over certain elements without a strict grid pattern. Give thought to which you prefer, keeping in mind if a light is off center close to a featured cabinet, it could look like a mistake.
Take care in your planning. Me, I usually look to see what features are important in the kitchen, and sometimes use a particular feature as a starting point and then move off from that, like the hood, for example.
Then, of course, get ready to do it all over again once the electrician says, "lady, there's a beam in the way!"
BOB'S BONUS - for the many people like me that left on the light over the stove for years so they could find their way to the refrigerator at 2 am or the client that likes mood lighting. I recommend putting and extra couple of outlets above the wall cabinets and plug get some wonderful uplighting with inexpensive rope lighting. These can be controlled manually or with automatic timers either way it provides and upscale look for a bargain price!
Get more information at
KraftMasterBob Gockeler
As a kitchen designer I am often asked "how do we brighten up our kitchen"
By: Bob Gockeler
The Four Steps To Success With Real Estate Negotiating Real Estate Benefits Of Forest Heights The Solution For Everyone With San Diego Real Estate For Cheap Homes and Great Bargains Consider Repo Homes For Sale Why You Need Modern TV Stands For Your Home How To Go Shopping For A Holiday Home In The Sun There Are Many Distinct Kinds Of Office Furniture Available Where to Find Real Estate Investments Patio Umbrella Completes the Outdoor Living The Many Pitfalls Of Selling Your Home Alone Some Things That You Should Consider When You Are Going To Sell A Home What To Look For When Buying A Home Some Rule Covering Foreclosed Homes in Florida
As a kitchen designer I am often asked "how do we brighten up our kitchen" Anaheim