Learn about lighting
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In your kitchen , combine multiple lighting forms and fixtures to achieve not only a more inviting look, but an environment that is easier on the eyes as well.
Optimal lighting conditions, normally measured in lumens, vary based on the task being performed and the duration of eye involvement. For detailed tasks that demand serious eye concentration, such as bill paying, sewing or reading, your eyes require low glare, concentrated lighting. Meal preparation and family gatherings around the kitchen table are best suited for softer, global lighting. In either case, you will want to avoid “hot spots” and “dead” areas where glare or shadows can cause eye strain and mild to severe discomfort. |
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To get the most out of your kitchen, you’ll need to focus on three critical components of lighting design – Fixture Type, Fixture Placement and Light Source. Matching all three to the unique layout and intended usage functions of your kitchen will add value to your remodeling project and enhance your enjoyment of one of the most popular and important rooms in your home. Dimmers Set a Lighter Mood |
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Such control allows the homeowner to set a mood in any room, not just the dining room. Adjusted lighting is ideal in a living room, bedroom, bathroom, and breakfast nook -- nearly anywhere. The only rooms that may not benefit from dimmers are laundry rooms, storage areas, and pantries. Basic dimmer controls are simple to install in any existing or new setting, but there is more to the dimmer than the common knob-style.
“As a category, lighting control is virtually unknown,” says Suzanne Miller, of Lutron in Coopersburg, Pa. “But not being able to control your lights is like not being able to control the volume on your TV, or the temperature in your oven. People want choices, they want control -- and that includes being able to control lighting levels in their own homes.”
Lighting controls come in four different types:
* Integrated dimming systems allow the most variety. Homeowners can create several preset lighting settings in a single room. With the touch of a single button from a wall box or a wireless remote control, they can recall the pre-selected settings.
* Touch dimmers create a lighting change with the press of a single button. One-touch recall allows the homeowner to return to the previous lighting level without resetting the light. Some dimmers also have a lighted indicator to show the intensity of the current setting.
* Slide dimmers offer manual control of the lighting in a room. Some also include a button on the plate so it is easy to return to the previous setting.
* Rotary dimmers are the ones most likely to conjure images of your Mom’s dining room. The manual dial allows a homeowner to alter the lighting level by turning the dial. Some have push-button control to switch the light off while keeping the current setting in place.
It is also possible to control the lighting in your entire home by building in a custom system. This is the most cost-effective route, but it is possible to add a whole-house lighting system to an existing home. Wireless, infrared systems and radio wave dimmers are available, and can go with you when you move. Another easy way to add the control of dimmers is an extension cord dimmer, which is a quick way to alter the light level of individual lamps.
Prices for lighting control systems vary based on their technology and the extent of their control. A single dimmer will cost a few dollars, but an automated system for the entire home will run in the thousands.
“Every incandescent light in your home should be connected to a dimmer,” says Lauck. “Just so that you can get the benefits of installing the light the way you want it and take advantage of a dimmer’s ability to extend lamp life.”
A dimmer’s operation is fairly simple. It essentially limits the amount of electricity that goes to the light. “The end result is you use less electricity,” says Miller. “Dimming a light 10 percent cuts electricity usage by 10 percent and [that] generally has a direct correlation to cost. What’s more, the human eye adapts to light so easily that you probably wouldn’t even notice a 10 percent decrease.”
Dimming controls will also extend the lamp’s life, which will save you cash over time. It can also save you the hassle of replacing bulbs in hard-to-reach places.
“I think the real benefit is to lamp life,” says Penny Henderson-Maher of Lightolier’s in Garland, Texas. “By dimming the light somewhat and turning it on with a soft fade, the lamps last a long time, like 3 to 4 years on a lamp that would normally last 6 months. That’s really convenient because the light bulb always blows out when you don’t have a spare. It’s all sorts of drama, convenience, and comfort, and energy, and lamp savings all wrapped into one.”
Light can dictate the activity in the room it is illuminating, according to Henderson-Maher. Bright light creates motion and a lot of activity. It’s ideal for getting everyone going in the morning, but not for relaxing. For that, or if an intimate party is what you have in mind, keep the perimeter of the room a bit darker. The “campfire effect” will draw people to the brighter area at the center of the room. Trying to get folks to mingle at a large gathering? Brighten the accent lighting around the perimeter. It will encourage people to move around.
Experiencing the environments varied lighting can create is really the key to understanding its importance in a room’s décor.
“It is one thing to say dimmers create an ambience,” says Miller. “And it is another to see it for real. Why settle for ‘on’ and ‘off’ when you can have ‘on,’ ‘off’ and everything in-between?”
ALA-member retail showrooms carry a wide selection of dimmers for the homeowner to choose from. Consumers can visit the ALA Web site at www.americanlightingassoc.com or call (800) BRIGHT IDEAS.
Courtesy of A.R.A. Content
KITCHEN LIGHTING FIXTURE TYPES |
The most common lighting fixtures found in today’s kitchens are recessed, track, drop-down or pendant, under cabinet and ceiling. The majority of these fixtures are designed to provide spot or “focus” lighting on the functional areas within the kitchen where the lion’s share of any work is to be performed: counter tops, sink, cooking surfaces and eating areas. Properly deployed in conjunction with global lighting from common ceiling fixtures and ambient light from windows and adjoining rooms, these fixtures can alleviate shadows and deliver light where it is most needed. Improperly used, they can create multiple hot spots and dead areas that are unhealthy for your eyes and displeasing to the appearance of your kitchen. |
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LIGHT SOURCES
While most lighting fixtures are designed for use with specific bulb types and wattages, it is important to know the advantages and intended usage applications of each bulb before making your selection.
The most common sources of indoor lighting are incandescent, fluorescent and halogen bulbs. Incandescent or filament bulbs create light by using an electrical current to heat a fine coil of tungsten wire filament to + 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit, causing it to release energy in the form of visible light. The filament in a standard 60-watt bulb measures approximately 6.5 feet in length and is held in place by a glass mount housed in a bulb filled with inert argon gas. The gas prevents the rapid evaporation of tungsten atoms at the extremely high temperature which would cause the bulb to quickly burn out.
Fluorescent bulbs use a phosphor powder coated glass tube containing argon and a small bit of mercury. When electrically charged, the mercury within the tube is changed from a liquid to a gas, releasing ultraviolet light photons which interact with phosphor atoms to produce visible white light. The advantage of fluorescent bulbs is that, unlike incandescent bulbs, they waste very little energy in the production of heat. As a result, they produce between 50 to 100 lumens per watt versus only 15 lumens per watt for the standard incandescent bulb. This makes fluorescents 4 to 6 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs (a 15-watt fluorescent bulb will produce as much light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb).A great manufacturer is Kichler .
Halogen bulbs operate under the same principal as standard incandescent bulbs, but are far more efficient. Standard incandescent bulbs radiate large amounts of infrared heat, which wastes energy and causes the tungsten in the bulb’s filament to evaporate and deposit on the interior glass. The loss of tungsten eventually causes the filament to break, burning out the bulb. Halogen bulbs encase the tungsten filament in a smaller quartz envelope filled with gas from the halogen group. At high temperatures, the halogen gas combines with the evaporating tungsten atoms, re depositing them onto the filament. This “re depositing” process offers several advantages. The first being that the filament within the halogen bulb does not burn out as quickly, increasing the life of the bulb itself. The second advantage is that the bulb can be run at much hotter temperatures, producing more light per unit of energy. Lastly, the small size of the Halogen bulb allows for the manufacturing of mini fixtures that take up very little space and can be installed in small, out of the way locations.
CONTROLS
Chances are, you will be installing multiple fixtures of many different types and styles throughout your new kitchen. Your ability to control each, both separately and in tandem, will prove critical if you are to create a flexible lighting environment.
Lighting controls need to be placed at kitchen entry and exit points, as well as at key work areas such as desk alcoves, islands, etc. You may also want to consider incorporating one or more of the infrared remote control units that allow you to control your lighting much the same way as your entertainment components. Timers and electronic sensors that turn lights on and off automatically are also seeing increased use in the kitchen.
Before you go high tech, you will want to make sure not to overlook one of the simplest and most effective lighting controls – the common dimmer switch. Today’s dimmer switches operate by rapidly switching a light bulb off and on many times a second using a switching cycle build around standard fluctuations in household current occurring 60 time each second. These inexpensive switches allow you to control the amount of light put out by a fixture, thereby adapting it to fit your specific needs.
The lighting store for your kitchen needs |
Before laying out plans for your new kitchen or visiting a lighting store to pick out your fixtures, you may want to sit down with our lighting design professional. Armed with their advice, you’ll be much more comfortable, and knowledgeable, when facing the hundreds of different style and design choices that await you.
Here’s a quick check list of things to bring along on your fixture shopping trip:
1. Copies of the floor plan and/or pictures of your completed kitchen
2. Color chips and samples of floor and wall coverings
3. List of all planned uses for your kitchen
4. A rough sketch of electrical outlet and junction box locations
5. List of appliance, furniture and cabinet styles and colors Above all, remember, you want fixtures that not only look good but cast a pleasing light on one of the most important room in your home – your new kitchen.
Top Ten Tips for kitchen lighting !
The biggest mistake is not having a good mix of lighting that meets your needs. “When you talk to someone who doesn’t really know what’s new in the business, you may end up with only recessed can lighting,” says Barry Levett, owner and president of House of Lights in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. “Recessed lighting is great for creating a blanket of light, but not for bringing light specifically to where you need it.” When visiting a lighting showroom, be prepared. Bring a picture of your kitchen, if possible or at least know your kitchen dimensions. How tall is the ceiling? Where are the doors? How much space is there between the cabinets and the ceiling? How much space is there between the cabinets and the countertop? If you are building a new kitchen, bring in a layout. “With new construction, we sometimes hear “This isn’t exactly how the kitchen will be but it’s close.” says Gilbertson. “But we need to know where everything will be -- cabinets. It’s critical to where you put the lights.” If you are planning to update an existing kitchen, tell the lighting expert how much deconstruction you want to do. “If you are tearing the ceiling out, that is important to know because then we can add recessed lighting,” says Gilbertson. “If you don’t want to destroy the ceiling, then we have to go a different way with mounting installations.” Consider asking the lighting professionals to make a house call. “Sometimes it’s easier when you see the physical space,” says Gilbertson. Once you have the plan in place, use the same color bulbs throughout the kitchen so that the tone of the floor, counters and cabinets will all be the same intensity.A great lighting manufacturer is Kichler .
A Splendid Lighting Construction Will Sparkle Your New Kitchen
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Today’s kitchens are more than just places to prepare meals. In addition to its primary food function, this room ranks as the heart of the home and center of family activity. Families today truly live in the kitchen. Kids study there; parents pay the bills and write checks there; everyone reads the morning paper in the kitchen; families eat their meals there.
Such multi-tasking kitchens demand equally versatile lighting. Gone are the days when a single 100-watt fixture centered in the kitchen’s ceiling was sufficient. Fortunately, kitchen lighting has gone through quite an evolution in the last few years -- not only in the type and design, but also in the areas in which it is placed.
The right recipe for lighting your kitchen depends on the size and complexity of the room. Small kitchens may require only a central ceiling fixture and task lighting tucked under a cabinet. More elaborate kitchens will demand a blend of general, task and accent lighting.
“Lights have specific functions, whether it’s to accent a specific area, create general ambience, focus on a task or wash a wall,” says Monty Gilbertson, CLC, manager and buyer for Lighting Design by Wettsteins in Lacrosse, Wisc. “You are seeing all types incorporated into the kitchen.” A great manufacturer is Kichler .
Functional fixtures will provide well-diffused general lighting perfect for moving about the room safely, peering inside drawers and cabinets, and performing chores. While large, surface fluorescents have been popular in the past, the latest looks revolve around recessed lights and low voltage, industrial styles, often with a metal finish.
Recessed downlights assure even illumination. Install them over the stove and sink areas to create adequate task lighting for cooking and cleaning. The kitchen table is another family focal point. A decorative pendant, operating with a dimmer control, will provide sufficient lighting.
Pendant lighting also rates raves installed over islands or peninsulas. Or consider a decorative fixture with three lights. “A trio over an island provides good light,” says Levett. “It breaks up the kitchen but you can still see through it.”
The top trends in decorative finishes include wrought iron, often in rust or other earth tones. Painted finishes are also popular. Colored glass bypasses plain white in popularity. Pewter and satin nickel finishes replace the basic brass look.
No matter which light style you choose, be sure to light all corners of the kitchen. Lighting the spaces above and below the cabinets has become more important than ever. Available in slim, energy-efficient designs such as miniature track lights or low-voltage linear systems, under- and overcabinet lighting quickly and easily lights up counter tops and accents ceilings. A great manufacturer is Kichler .
Halogens offer consumers a whiter, more accentuating light. “Halogen provides great drama in the kitchen,” says Levett. “Used undercabinet, it electrifies the look of granite and marble countertops. It even makes food look better.
The kitchen “office” or workspace is the latest trend in need of good lighting. Sometimes these are desk areas for paying bills or copying recipes. More often than not, however, they include a computer. Consider a fluorescent task light for the computer and be sure to cover the key board and work materials.
Halogen undercabinet lighting offers another option. “Sometimes, there is not enough space for a wall light or a table top lamp in this workspace,” says Levett. “But a small halogen desk lamp might work well, putting the light where you need it.”
No matter how many lights you install in your kitchen, the experts recommend circuiting them separately so the lighting is zoned. This allows you to create ambience by mixing the various lights you turn on.
Visit your local American Lighting Association showroom to view the variety of light fixture styles, sizes and shapes available for creating the perfect kitchen.A great lighting manufacturer is Kichler .
For more information or to find a lighting showroom near you, call toll-free (800) BRIGHT IDEAS (274-4484). For a brochure on how to incorporate lighting in your life, send $2 for shipping and handling to the American Lighting Association, P.O. Box 420288, Dallas, TX 75342. Or visit www.americanlightingassoc.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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