5 TIPS TO IMPROVE THE LIGHTING IN YOUR KITCHEN

Friday afternoon I had the pleasure of sipping a Starbucks pumpkin spice soy latte while chatting with my favorite local lighting expert Marcia (that’s MAR-see-uh) Exelrud .  (Click here for previous guest post by Marcia.) As we discussed how to save the world from poor kitchen design and bad lighting , I asked her to come up with  a list of the TOP 5 Lighting Fixes for your kitchen. Here's what she had to say:

[caption id="attachment_183" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Matching white trim blends recessed light fixtures into this crisp white kitchen ceiling.  Photo by Apartmenttherapy"][/caption]

1. Replace trims and bulbs in existing recessed fixtures. New trim will give you a fresh updated look.  Replace bulbs so that they are all the same type for uniform and even lighting. Remember that the most up to date fixtures and bulbs will usually also be more energy efficient.  The initial investment is greater but they more than pay for themselves and save you time and aggravation in the long run.

2. Move or add fixtures to add direct light where you need it. Take a moment to study your kitchen both during the day and at night with the lights on.  Does your current arrangement work or do you need to make some changes?

[caption id="attachment_184" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Note pendant fixtures over island, cove lighting above cabinets and lights below upper cabinets. Photo by Apartmenttherapy"][/caption]

3.  Add cove lighting with an LED or xenon strip light fixture. Do you have space above your cabinets?  This is a perfect opportunity for cove lighting.  LED or Xenon strips are perfect for this area.

[caption id="attachment_187" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="This kitchen has good "bones" i.e. storage and counter space. The plastic covered fluorecents need to go. New cabinets (or just a reface) and tops will give this kitchen a totally updated look. Photo by picdigger"][/caption]

4. Remove unsightly dropped ceilings.   You know what I’m talking about, those plastic squares set into a metal grid concealing fluorescent tubes.  Yeah that’s them.  Remove them and you instantly create an open feeling!  Replace those tube lights with some recessed high hats for better light. Welcome to 2010!  A word of caution, if you have a concrete ceiling you may have to lower it just enough to recess lights.  If that’s not in the budget consider a surface mounted fixture.

[caption id="attachment_186" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Recessed lights provide main lighting. Red pendants add task lighting over the island and a punch of red in this black and white kitchen. Photo by Apartmenttherapy"][/caption]

5. Install lighting under the upper cabinets and above islands.. Never install open fixtures such as pendants, spot lights or recessed lights witout lenses directly over cooking areas.

If you have questions about any type of lighting you can contact Marcia at

http://marcia@brightlightdesigns.net/

You can also find her listed under LOCAL RESOURCES  at Kitchens for Living

TRADITIONAL & FUNCTIONAL TRANSFORMATION

This homeowner was originally interested in refacing their existing cabinets (photo with tired white cabinets).  However when they decided that for just a little more they could improve the function of their kitchen and get all new cabinetry, they were sold!  The new River Run cabinets are traditional raised panel with applied moulding in birch wood with a stain and glaze.  We added spice pull outs on either side of the cooktop and transformed a little used desk area into a functional and attractive nook!  Click on our Flickr photo album for more about this great kitchen remodel.

TRADITIONAL & FUNCTIONAL TRANSFORMATION

This homeowner was originally interested in refacing their existing cabinets (photo with tired white cabinets).  However when they decided that for just a little more they could improve the function of their kitchen and get all new cabinetry, they were sold!  The new River Run cabinets are traditional raised panel with applied moulding in birch wood with a stain and glaze.  We added spice pull outs on either side of the cooktop and transformed a little used desk area into a functional and attractive nook!  Click on our Flickr photo album for more about this great kitchen remodel.

CABINET STYLE 101

One of the myriad decisions you'll have to make when considering new kitchen cabinets is STYLE.  What do you say when your kitchen professional poses the question, what style are you?  There are, of course, many but we can safely narrow it down to three categories.  The first one is known as TRADITIONAL.  Anything Old World, Country, French Country or Tuscan would come under that category.  You know you're traditional when cabinet doors are ornate with lots of finish detail and moulding.  Because of this, a classic or traditional look is usually the most expensive to create.  The second category is CONTEMPORARY.  This style is usually very simple and streamlined with not a lot of detail.  This type of kitchen gets its beauty from the materials used.  For example a beautiful wood grain or color.  If you are careful about the materials used this can by your most inexpensive option.  Remember less can be more.  The third style is TRANSITIONAL.  A lot of us come under this category which could also be described as eclectic. The popular Shaker door is a good example of this.  It can be either modern or traditional looking depending on the hardware you select and the rest of the finishes in the kitchen.  If you're interested in resale value this is the way to go as it will appeal to the majority. Now can you identify the style of kitchen in these three photos from Holiday Kitchens?

CABINET STYLE 101

One of the myriad decisions you'll have to make when considering new kitchen cabinets is STYLE.  What do you say when your kitchen professional poses the question, what style are you?  There are, of course, many but we can safely narrow it down to three categories.  The first one is known as TRADITIONAL.  Anything Old World, Country, French Country or Tuscan would come under that category.  You know you're traditional when cabinet doors are ornate with lots of finish detail and moulding.  Because of this, a classic or traditional look is usually the most expensive to create.  The second category is CONTEMPORARY.  This style is usually very simple and streamlined with not a lot of detail.  This type of kitchen gets its beauty from the materials used.  For example a beautiful wood grain or color.  If you are careful about the materials used this can by your most inexpensive option.  Remember less can be more.  The third style is TRANSITIONAL.  A lot of us come under this category which could also be described as eclectic. The popular Shaker door is a good example of this.  It can be either modern or traditional looking depending on the hardware you select and the rest of the finishes in the kitchen.  If you're interested in resale value this is the way to go as it will appeal to the majority. Now can you identify the style of kitchen in these three photos from Holiday Kitchens?