Exclusive LightingTo shed some light on the question of how to light your kitchen, you must consider 4 things: work areas, eating/entertaining areas, general traffic spaces, and accent lighting for a little drama.
1.In order to prevent shadows, lights should be placed over top of the work surfaces. A center of the room ceiling fixture can not do this. Every work surface needs to be lit: cabinet tops by under-cabinet lights, islands and sinks by hanging pendants, lanterns, or recessed lights, and the kitchen desk. Make sure the lighting is placed where your body won’t block it when you are working.
Canopy Glass Island Chandelier
Heritage Hanging Lantern
Colored Seeded Glass Pendants
2.Place hanging fixtures with multiple bulbs over eating tables. Several bulbs will always give you the maximum flexibility where you need it. Make sure the fixture is on a dimmer to allow for different functions (reading the newspaper, romantic dining, homework, etc.)
Downlight Kitchen Chandelier
Cherry Bar Chandelier
Create Your Look Island Chandelier
3.General or ambient lighting helps to fill in the gaps in traffic spaces. Recessed lights are great for this purpose. Put these on a dimmer as well to allow for proper light levels from cleaning to dining.
Square Adapter for Recessed Light
Magic Pendant Light Hardware
Trellis Linen Drum Shade Pendant
4.Accent lighting in the kitchen can include lights inside the cabinets (open or with glass doors), picture or sculpture lights, cover lighting, lighting above the cabinets, kickplate lighting under the cabinets (makes a great nightlight), or simply a fun or decorative wall sconce that is simply art itself!
Cone Pivot Shade Wall Lamp
Modern Classic Wall Sconce
In total, you should have at least 2.5 watts per square foot of incandescent light or the equivalent (or 40 lumens per square foot).
Clear Glass Globe Industrial
Mercury Glass Bulb Pendant
Rectangle Radiator Screen Pendant