When you’re designing kitchen lighting, there’s one big question that you will always ask: Pendant lights or recessed? And it’s important, because the lighting you choose can change the way your kitchen feels and is used. So, what do you need to think about when choosing kitchen lighting?
Pendant lights can be defined as any lighting fixture that hangs from the ceiling by a chain, rod, or cord. They are one of the most commonly used ceiling lights. Mainly because there are so many different styles available. So, what can they do for your kitchen?
When you choose a pendant light like the Jetta, there is no denying that you are bringing aesthetic value to your kitchen. Pendant lights show that kitchen lighting doesn’t have to be just functional. It can be attractive, striking even. Marrying form and function in one beautiful design. And because you can adjust the length of the cords, you can also change the height of pendant lights to suit your tastes, needs, and kitchen’s layout.
As well as providing general ambient lighting for the whole room, pendant lighting can also provide useful task lighting. When you have a light like the Rufus hanging low over a breakfast bar or a kitchen island, it provides direct illumination where you need it. And it does so stylishly.
There are a huge array of pendants designed for kitchen lighting. Which means that you can select the style, material, colour, size, height of pendant light to suit your needs. There’s the thoroughly modern designs, like the Spiral. Lights with a retro flavour, like the Mercury. Decorative lights, like the leaf-shaped chandelier – which would look fab hanging low over a dining table. Glam lights, like the Carrington. Or steampunk-inspired lights, like the Ockley. The point is, whatever design aesthetic you’re going for, there are pendant lights to suit.
If you have low ceilings in your kitchen, pendant lighting probably won’t work for you. Although pendant lights are height adjustable, they do require enough clearance space beneath… Unless you like bumping your head!
This depends very much on the design. But some pendant lights can be harder to clean. If you have a beaded light, like a chandelier, dusting is obviously more of an issue than if it would be with a large shaded light, like the Avant.
If you like the sleek, minimalist look, recessed lights can seem to blend seamlessly into the ceiling of your kitchen.
Because recessed lights are typically places in multiple apertures throughout a kitchen, they can provide uniform, ambient lighting. This means that your kitchen is evenly lit throughout.
Because recessed lights are embedded into your ceiling, they do not detract from the height of your room. This makes them a particularly good option for low-ceilinged kitchens.
Although recessed lights provide fantastic ambient light, they struggle with task lighting. Especially over islands, breakfast bars, and food prep areas.
Unless you are starting from scratch with your kitchen, recessed lights typically require more work to install. You will need a professional to cut into the ceiling. And depending on your existing layout, additional wiring may be required.
Unless you have a very compact galley kitchen, you may benefit from selecting a combination of recessed and pendant kitchen lighting. By using recessed lights for your ambient lighting and pendant lights for your task lighting, you can create a beautiful and functional space. This works particularly well for kitchen-diners, where lighting can be used to clearly differentiate between the spaces.
Ultimately, kitchen lighting has to come down to your personal preferences. You’ll need to weigh up your kitchen’s layout, along with your aesthetic, and functional needs. That way, you can find a lighting solution that makes your kitchen shine.
View the full collection of kitchen lighting available from Kitchens R Us.
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