Best Lighting Fixtures for Your Kitchen Renovation

Choosing the Best Lighting Fixtures for Your Kitchen
Whether you’re gearing up for a major kitchen renovation or are just looking for ways to enhance and improve the design, lighting is a key piece in any design puzzle. It plays an important role in the overall look, feel and functionality of a room. But choosing the best lighting fixtures for your kitchen can feel a bit tricky with so many options out there today. From blingy statement fixtures to cozy ambient lighting to subtle modern pendant lights – it can feel daunting when you don’t know what you want or need. To help you narrow it down and find the right one, here are some tips to guide you in selecting the best lights for your kitchen.

Fixtures for Ambient Lighting

The kitchen typically requires more light than other areas of the home. And the primary source usually comes from overhead ambient light fixtures. It’s important to be able to see what you’re doing when you’re cooking up a storm, which is why we recommend spending a little time calculating the amount of wattage you’ll need for your kitchen renovation. This way, when you’re shopping around for a light fixture, you can narrow down your scope and make sure you end up with the proper amount of light. Generally, for a larger kitchen, a light fixture with at least 5 light bulbs is ideal for your ambient lighting. Having a light that fills the space really makes a big difference, so make sure to pay attention to the number of bulbs.

Fixtures for Task or Direct Lighting

Beyond the main source of lighting, there are many other types of light fixtures that can add more character and make it easier to see during dim evenings. For example, task lighting can be helpful when you want to place direct light in certain areas. This could include light sconces to see better at night, lamps, or under-the-counter lighting to make it easier to read your cookbook or see which spices you’re adding to your new recipe. Consider these smaller fixtures for any areas where you think you’ll need more direct light.  

Decorative Lighting to Accent Features

Similar to task lighting, accent lighting also adds more illumination, but its primary purpose is to enhance the design, highlight certain features in your kitchen, and make it feel cozy. Light installed under the counter plays into this too since it helps to highlight the backsplash. You could also add a light fixture behind one of your glass cabinet doors to show off your fancy wine glass collection, and place a few built-in ones throughout the counter area. If you want your kitchen to have a decorative look and feel, don’t skip out on accent lighting. Here are some of the most common light fixtures for your kitchen renovation:  

Chandeliers

If you love a little decorative bling and need a light fixture overtop of your kitchen table, a chandelier is a popular choice. There are lots of different sizes and styles to consider. If you’re adding other fixtures, we suggest sticking to one particular style and theme.  

Pendants

Pendants are smaller and won’t produce as might light. These generally have only one bulb in them, so they’re not suitable as a main overhead source of light. But they could work well to supplement another fixture.  

Flush Mounts

For smaller kitchens that have a lower ceiling, flush mounts might work well. These are the standard light fixtures that you can find in many homes. They provide strong, diffused light. If you prefer something subtle that can blend in with the surroundings, this could be better suited to your kitchen.  

Determining Your Lighting Style

Keep in mind that your lighting fixtures will always be on display which is why they should play into the overall theme and design of your kitchen and home. If you have a modern kitchen, it won’t make much sense to add in a light fixture that’s super busy, blingy or traditional. To make sure it will look good and cohesive, focus on other elements of your kitchen – are they predominantly metallic, simple black matte, chic and copper? Whatever the common look is, stick with that as much as possible. If most items are finished in black matte, then look for a fixture that’s similar to that style too. It doesn’t have to be the exact same, but it should complement the other features in the kitchen.  Lighting seems like a simple afterthought during home renovations and remodels, but when you stop to think about it, it plays a significant role in the overall aesthetics, comfort and function of each space in your home. If you’re planning to redo your kitchen this year, get in touch with our team, or give us a call at (613) 727-9427 at the Renosgroup.ca. We can help transform your space and offer our professional recommendations to enhance your design.