Variety of types and tips for choosing lamps for the kitchen

The design of the kitchen space implies not only a very careful selection of furniture and interior items, but also thoughtful lighting of all areas of the room. It is here that it is very important to accurately differentiate the brightness, directionality of the light flux. Modern kitchen lamps are quite diverse in design, they can harmoniously fit into the interior with different layouts. But how to understand their features, functionality and types of construction?

Kitchen sconces and wall-mounted touch-sensitive lamps, surface-mounted and track shades and models, other options for constructing home lighting equipment - how do they differ from each other? Is it necessary to hang a chandelier from the ceiling and how to replace it in a modern interior? These issues have to be addressed by designers and individual home owners. And the more information is available, the easier it will be to choose the right lighting.

Among the lamps for the kitchen found on the market, you can find several groups of goods at once, differing in the type of their location and the direction of the luminous flux. Depending on the chosen design project in one room there may be not one, but several groups of such products at once.

Kitchen lighting fixtures placed on the ceiling can be equipped with shades or have a different type of housing. Built-in lighting options can be installed directly into the ceiling structure. Among the most popular solutions, there are several options suitable for installation in the interior of the kitchen. By the type of their design, they are mortise, suspended, overhead and can be fixed on different surfaces - from a plasterboard box to a conventional concrete floor.

The most common element of a lighting system used to create general and diffuse luminous flux. Modern chandelier models can have both the usual shape with a pendant mount and one or more shades, or the original one, which takes up a minimum of space. Above the bar counter and in the dining area, it is customary to place a row of 3 or 5 devices arranged in a linear fashion.

Chandeliers belong to the pendant type of lamps; in the kitchen they are most often equipped with several multidirectional lamps with closed or semi-open shades. In single-lamp models, lampshades are used that create a more directional diffusion of the light flux. Modern chandeliers are equipped with light intensity regulators that allow you to control the lighting power and change it at your discretion.

Lighting fixtures for kitchen ceilings can be built-in and surface-mounted. Most often, spots and spotlights are used in this capacity. They are usually installed in the work area and provide a local directional light above the cabinets. The best choice here can be models of appliances that can change direction - in this case, it will be possible to ensure their rational use in both large and small kitchens.

Such lighting can be built into wooden furniture facades by choosing the thinnest LED lamps that do not take up a significant area inside the cabinets. Touch models will be triggered by touch without wasting extra power. Motion sensor options eliminate the need to flip a switch.

In modern versions, it can also be halogen, LED or fluorescent lamps, placed in a surface-mounted housing and fixed to the ceiling. Such lighting is also considered local, but it is suitable for high-tech, minimalism and other options where chandeliers are inappropriate. Due to the fact that you can find models of different lengths that can cover even a significant part of the ceiling, these lamps can easily replace classic suspended ceiling lamps.

Large LED panels can be flush-mounted inside a plasterboard box or installed as overlays. The futuristic appearance of such structures goes well with high-tech interiors. The panels are very thin and light, give a lot of light, are economical but expensive and require proper installation.

This category of kitchen lighting is usually mounted above the dining area or seating area. It is made in the form of sports on a special rail, which is easy to adjust in height.

Lighting devices for local use are most often wall-mounted. Such models do not give diffused light, but they help well to zone the space. They are easy to mount and can be fixed at different heights. But wall lighting cannot exist separately from the base one.

Quite a popular option for local wall lighting. Despite their demand, sconces with an angular or straight-line fastening are suitable only for fastening in a dining room or a soft corner. If you nevertheless decide to use this type of luminaire, it is better to pay attention to the mounted models, which can be easily moved to a new place in case of rearrangement.

Luminaires widely used as an element of local or decorative lighting design.They easily hide in specially cut niches, look aesthetically pleasing, and are energy efficient. Tubular models are equipped with fluorescent or LED lamps, and can be presented in the form of flexible strips. They are chosen to illuminate the working area.

Track luminaires that are rarely used in a residential interior are radically different from all other types in their design features. The modular system on the guide rail can be linear or closed, the elements on it move freely and change direction. Track lighting systems are categorized as accent lighting systems that allow for the emphasis of specific illuminated areas.

Busbar trunking in this type of equipment can have the following fastening:

• suspended;
• invoice;
• built-in.

The modularity of the equipment allows you to easily adjust the kitchen lighting for different tasks - change the number of fixed lamps, group them, turn in the desired direction.

Kitchen lamps may well become a bright and stylish accent in the interior. Moreover, among the existing design options, you can really find suitable solutions for almost any style of space design. So, fashionable large-format LED panels will look good in the futuristic interior of a spacious kitchen-living room. They will decorate the interior, help to ensure sufficient lighting brightness.

Among the interesting design options for kitchen lamps, you should definitely pay attention to the following current solutions.

• Classic wrought iron chandeliers on a long suspension. Candle lamps are mounted in them, creating the effect of palace luxury. It is important to consider that such a design solution requires a significant area of ​​the room and the height of the ceilings.

• Bright and stylish cascading chandeliers. They often use iridescent pendants, similar to falling jets of water. Do not be afraid of such spectacular models, they are in good harmony with Art Nouveau interiors and mirrored ceilings. You can find both compact models and rather massive chandeliers for the dining area.

• Complex geometric patterns. Triangular, polygonal, square kitchen lamps are most often found in the form of sconces or small pendant options arranged in a row. This design solution is combined with minimalistic or high-tech interiors.

• Wicker pendant lights. They are usually placed in a row of 2-3, attached to the ceiling on a suspension, and supplemented with similar curtains. The spherical shape gives such an unusual shade a particularly striking appearance. The weaving is made of rattan and is a real fashion hit, harmoniously combined with ethnic styles, loft and eco-friendly design.

• Multi-colored spots with a changing shade of illumination. Remote-controlled systems require professional installation. But it is precisely such overhead or recessed lamps that look especially impressive in the combined space of the kitchen-living room.

• Crystal chandeliers in retro style. They triumphantly returned to fashion and are not going to give their place to other trends. The abundance of pendants, creating a complex play of light, looks grand and solemn.

• Ceiling chandeliers with floral ornaments. Such lamps are mounted directly on the surface of the ceiling, they remain a truly stylish decoration even for a small kitchen and give a fairly soft diffused light.

• Lamps in the Art Nouveau style. They use the simplest materials - glass, plastic, use unusual shapes and colors. This addition will harmoniously fit into both vintage and avant-garde interiors.

• Luminaires with dark fabric shades. They do not scatter light on the sides, but they are in good harmony with the dining, dining area. This design solution is in harmony with chrome fittings, high-tech or minimalist kitchens.

• Bright and light domed chandeliers with metal shades. They are created in order to serve as an unusual accent in the interior. If the kitchen lacks freshness, sometimes just replacing the fixtures is enough.

The selection of appliances for kitchen lighting should take into account their location in the interior, some other features of the product itself and the way it is placed. Among the important points, several can be noted.

• Construction type. A classic chandelier will be needed to organize general lighting. A modular luminaire or spot light will provide the necessary lighting in certain areas of the kitchen. It is imperative to take into account the peculiarities of the place where the lamps are attached. It can be said unambiguously that you will definitely not be able to do with only auxiliary lighting.
• Energy efficiency... The most profitable are LED lamps that can be replaced, and non-separable lamps, which, after the LEDs burn out, will have to be scrapped. In addition, fluorescent lighting devices have increased energy efficiency, which have a long service life and consume much less electrical energy. In comparison, conventional incandescent bulbs look much less attractive.
• Control method... The time of classic switches, led out into the corridor or located at the door, is long gone. Modern luminaires are equipped with built-in switches, with the help of which you can easily provide easy and quick regulation of the intensity of illumination in individual zones. In the working, bar areas, you can install sensor models with a motion sensor. They will react to the appearance of a moving object, but if there are animals in the house, the option can lead to an increase in energy costs.
• Luminous flux type. Basically, this point is important for LEDs, but when choosing other lamps, you should pay attention to whether the glow will be warm or cold. Incandescent lamps give soft yellow light. Cool bluish - halogen spotlights, pure daylight provide fluorescent lighting options. It is better to choose LED lamps with a warm and cold white glow - they are the brightest and most comfortable for the eyes.
• Height of indoor ceilings... It is better not to choose lamps for the kitchen in a typical apartment among models with a long suspension. To compensate for the lack of brightness of the chandelier in a small kitchen, you can use LED ceiling lights or built-in lamps.
• The peculiarity of the organization of lighting. Devices with diffused or reflected light can be used to form the total luminous flux. For localization, models with a directional type of illumination are suitable.
• Diffuser type. This indicator affects the light transmittance and safety of the backlight. The optimal solution is considered to be easy-to-maintain glass diffuser elements, completely non-combustible, with high transparency. Over time, plastic products lose their presentability, have less light transmission, and are flammable. Paper and cloth diffusers should be used with great care and only in places where prolonged lamp burning is not required.

The features of the placement of lamps for the kitchen also need to be taken into account. Depending on the choice of model, these can be designs with different fasteners.

1. On the wall. As a rule, the height of their placement is chosen based on the design features of the headset or soft corner. It is better to place corner models not too high, choosing sconces with several multidirectional shades.
2. Built-in or mortise... For them, a plasterboard or tension base is used, you can use PVC and MDF ceiling panels. It is permissible to mount recessed luminaires into pieces of furniture and podiums, complex elements of multi-level ceilings, bar counters.
3. Suspended. They are fixed on special height-adjustable hangers. This category includes chandeliers that decorate the dining area of ​​the kitchen.
4. Overhead... They can be mounted on ceilings, walls, furniture cases. Easy to fix, usually have a built-in switch. Easy to move when renovating or rearranging the house.

The following video will help you choose lighting for your kitchen.