If you’re thinking about redecorating your kitchen, lighting will play an important role in how your new space feels and functions. Did you know that the average kitchen remodel costs $25,000? Even if you’re not planning on knocking down walls to add an extra room or to completely remodel your space, there are plenty of other ways you can use light to transform your kitchen into a functional work of art. In this article, we’ll discuss our favorite kitchen lighting ideas to get the most out of your kitchen without breaking the bank.
1) Add a Rustic Touch with the lights
When it comes to decorating a room, there’s nothing quite like rustic. Rustic touches add a rugged vibe to any space, and can help establish a mood or theme. Installing rustic lights is an easy way to create that natural feel in your kitchen. There are many different ways you can add these types of fixtures into your kitchen remodel – with each method looking completely unique depending on how you choose to install them. This means you’ll have plenty of options when it comes time to make these decisions, so let’s take a look at how you can get started today!
2) Opt for Something Natural
Artificial lighting can provide great benefits in terms of ambiance and energy efficiency, but natural light is still your best option when it comes to kitchen illumination. The reason? Natural light has a soothing effect on both people and plants, while a lamp with a 25-watt bulb can burn 500 calories or more. While you might not want to let sunlight stream into all corners of your kitchen, consider investing in an area where natural sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows or skylights. And remember: even if you don’t have such an area available for full-time use, you can maximize it by drawing blinds over any windows that don’t benefit from natural light throughout the day.
3) Add a Lantern
One of our top kitchen lighting ideas is to add a lantern, in other words hanging lights above your dining table. These types of lighting fixtures generally offer even, broad-based light that’s great for illuminating more than one surface at a time. They’re also some of our least expensive kitchen lighting ideas. If you’re looking for easy ways to update your kitchen but want them with modern flair, these sorts of lights are one way to do it. You can purchase an entire lantern kit online or find them in hardware stores and box stores like Target and Walmart. They come with all necessary wiring, so there’s no need to hire an electrician! From there, it’s just a matter or installing them and adding some fresh bulbs.
4) Keep It Simple
Outfitting a kitchen can be overwhelming, especially if you’re shopping for upgrades. But don’t try to get it all done at once. Whether you have a brand new kitchen or are looking to replace worn-out appliances, it’s best to keep things simple when lighting. Start with one or two lamps and choose ones that are functional and complement other elements in your kitchen space. Try putting them on either side of your countertop so you have good light for cooking and cleaning tasks alike. If you’re thinking about replacing an older bulb, think about upgrading to LED lighting rather than incandescent bulbs that might be bigger in size but produce more heat.
5) Let the Lighting Take Center stage
When decorating a kitchen, choosing furniture and appliances is all well and good, but choosing lighting is often overlooked. The right lighting can make all of your hard work shine! Try placing lights at strategic points to showcase what you’ve got going on in there. A kitchen island is a great place for overhead lighting; under-cabinet lighting will help you easily locate items when preparing food; hanging pendant lights add ambiance and style. The possibilities are endless!
6) Try a Mesh Pendant
Try using a mesh pendant in place of an overhead light. Mesh pendants work well in kitchen spaces, because they help diffuse light throughout a room. In addition to adding ambiance, a mesh pendant will help eliminate shadows and make it easier to see what you’re cooking. Hanging one directly over your stove or prep area can be particularly beneficial; placing additional lights nearby can also keep you from tripping over your ingredients as you cook!
7) Install a Chandelier
Chandeliers are a great way to add style and light to any kitchen. They not only look good, but they also provide ample lighting—the main benefit being that chandeliers hang from high ceilings, and therefore give off a lot of light. You’ll find them in many classic kitchens, which suggests how timeless they can be. The only downside is that you may need to get up high for maintenance purposes. You might be wondering whether it’s worth getting someone to install it for you or doing it yourself. It all depends on your skill level, but if you’ve never done something like this before then we’d recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced in installing chandeliers.