subject: Making The Kitchen A More Social Place [print this page] If we go back in time and look at the common kitchen in our homes, we would notice that the kitchen wasn't a social area. The kitchen was a place where cooking and cleaning up the mess took place. Why has it changed into more of a social area? Many would argue that the lighting in the past didn't make it comfortable and warm.
One of the more popular lighting options during the old days was hanging fluorescent tubes. They were placed in the middle of the ceiling to maximize light throughout the entire room. As bright as these lights were, they didn't provide the cozy feel home owners were looking for.
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.
In order to properly omit enough light for the daily duties in a kitchen, you'll need additional background lights combined with recessed lighting. There are many different ways to provide this extra lighting.
Pendant lights or even mini pendant lights look great in any kitchen, especially when they're hanging over a bar or table. They can also provide the right amount of light as the LED lights are quite bright. Additionally, wall units can be a great place to position lighting as well as under counter tops.
LED lighting will provide a great glow in your room. They even look great inside of a glass wall unit for a nice modern touch. LED lighting can be used as track lighting or as part of any of the options I mentioned above.
One common mistake home owners often make is finding the right size lighting for the space. Always consult a professional for advice. Take your time shopping around as this can be a major investment in your home. Good light can completely change the feel of the room, so be do it right!
