When it comes to the lighting in your home, there is no room as important as the kitchen. After all, in what other room could substandard lighting result in a gauge in your finger or incorrect spice usage?

Okay, so maybe those things aren’t likely to happen unless you are operating in a kitchen without any light at all. But we spend so much time in our kitchens that “good enough” just isn’t good enough. For maximum liveability, we want to have lighting that not only allows us to function in our spaces but also that reflects our aesthetic preferences and design choices.

If you’re unsure of what kind of lighting to implement in your kitchen, look no further. In this article, we will go over five different kitchen lighting ideas. Hopefully, they will work to inspire you in some way!

5 Design Ideas For Your Kitchen Lighting

1. Ceiling Fixtures

Let’s start with the most common lighting fixture that is found in most kitchen set-ups. Ceiling fixtures are designed to provide all-day lighting to all corners of a room. They can either be positioned directly on the ceiling, or they can hang down with a decorative chain.

Although ceiling lighting fixtures were often associated with fluorescent lighting, today it is possible to use a variety of lighting types — most popularly, energy-efficient LED bulbs that can provide a warmer hue.

If you have a small kitchen, you may find that a ceiling fixture is sufficient for your lighting needs. However, if you have a large kitchen space that contains certain designated areas such as an eat-in kitchen or kitchen island, you may find that you need supplemental lighting in order to get the most potential out of your space.

2. Over the Cabinet Lights

Over the cabinet, lights do not only provide complimentary lighting without taking up any extra space, but they also offer an ambience for your kitchen. Lighting over your cabinets may not provide you with a great degree of function, but it is often handy to have a less intense lighting choice available for non-detail oriented tasks.

Over the cabinet, lights are also relatively inexpensive, and could even improve the resale value of your home. If you use this secondary lighting in the place of your main lighting fixtures, you may even save money on your electricity bill.

3. Track Lighting

Track lighting is installed to provide specific lighting in small nooks and crannies that are otherwise not well illuminated. Examples of these spaces could include the inside of cabinets, drawers, and other compartments. If track lighting would improve the usability of your space, an electrician or other contractor can install a light source that will fit the custom dimensions that will best serve you.

A professional can also help you determine the best position for your lights — it is important that track lighting does not shine directly into your field of vision. In addition, what is an optimal location for some homeowners that may be less ideal for you, depending on the particular tasks that you perform in your kitchen?

4. Toe-Kick Lights

If you’re unfamiliar with “toe-kick” lighting, here is a brief explanation: similar to the philosophy behind over the cabinet lights and track lighting, toe-kick lighting provides a splash of illumination in the areas underneath your cupboards, right where your toes and ankles hit (hence the name). While this has originated as a design trend among real estate and luxury house circles, there is still plenty of reason to install these in the average home. For one thing, it’s a relatively inexpensive finish that will add a high-end feel to your room and impress guests.

5. Dimmer Lights

Sometimes when your kitchen needs are not actually new lighting fixtures. Sometimes, changing the mechanics of your existing lighting will make a big enough difference on its own. One interesting solution for kitchens is to install a dimming switch which will add flexibility to your lighting set-up since different light intensities are appropriate for different situations.

If you would like to take the next step in making your kitchen lighting dreams a reality, you don’t have to do it alone. BPM Electric is here to provide you with complete lighting installation and design services — we have been proudly serving the Vancouver area for more than 30 years!