Spotlights in the kitchen: features of selection and placement

Spotlights play a very important role in the interior of a room. They are often installed in the kitchen, either on the ceiling or, for example, above the work surface. But in order for the appearance of the room to please the eye and create a feeling of coziness, you need to follow some recommendations and follow the basic rules for placing such lighting fixtures. We will talk in more detail about all the intricacies in our article.

Currently, consumers, when making repairs in the kitchen, increasingly prefer to abandon the usual chandelier, or in addition to it, they install spotlights. Their main advantage is the ability to create uniform diffused illumination. As for the traditional chandelier, in the absence of additional lighting, it creates shadows. As a result, the room is visually narrowed.

In addition to convenience, it should be noted also the possibility of significantly saving energy. This is because lighting can be turned on not completely in the entire kitchen, but only in a certain area of ​​it: above the kitchen table or above the hob during cooking.

It should also be noted that today manufacturers offer lamps in a wide range of colors... You can use both monochrome and color options. It will also help create a unique and original kitchen style, highlight areas and focus on them.

However, it would be dishonest not to talk about the lack of such lighting fixtures. Among them, the complexity of installation can be noted, since a simple chandelier is undoubtedly much easier to install.

Someone may think that such lighting is too "office". However, such reasoning is a delusion, since today such devices can be placed in any apartment, giving it even more comfort and emphasizing the beneficial aspects. The main thing is not to be mistaken with the design and placement.

Spotlights can be divided into subspecies according to the installation method. Overhead, suspended and cut-in models are marked.

Recessed luminaires are installed exclusively in stretch ceilings made of any material. They can hide in the ceiling itself, or, on the contrary, act as a decorative element.

Surface-mounted lighting fixtures can be easily placed on a regular base, as they have a mounting plate for screws.

However, most often, as practice shows, consumers stop at built-in options. I must say that it is they that are offered on store shelves in an extremely wide range. They are available in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

Spotlights meet all fire safety standards. The moisture-proof material from which the body is made allows them to be used in the kitchen, where the humidity can be increased. The light bulb can be located both inside and outside, respectively, the light can be made both directed and diffused.

Experienced users give some advice to those who decide to choose spot lighting for their kitchen. First of all, they note that the simpler the design, the easier it will be to care for, wash and clean the fixtures.

Among the lamps themselves can be noted incandescent lamps, LED or halogen appliances. I must say that LEDs are especially popular due to their economy, as well as the fact that they almost do not heat up. They can be used regardless of the finish, since even those materials that are flammable can be located in close proximity to them. And it is absolutely safe, since fire is excluded. They can be either rotary, changing the direction of light, or fixed.

Incandescent lamps able to provide a bright and familiar color. However, they have drawbacks. They are quite large and also burn out very quickly. In addition, they get very hot.

Halogen lamps have a long service life and are economical in energy consumption, but at the same time they have the most expensive purchase price.

It is necessary to arrange such lamps, focusing on some factors. First of all, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the kitchen and the height of the ceilings. If the room is small, it is worth considering further actions more carefully, after all, the main goal is for there to be enough light, but not too much... In addition, in such rooms, spotlights will not look bulky when compared to a conventional chandelier.

It must also be remembered that the style of the room should not be violated. Spotlights are presented on store shelves in a wide range, so there will be no difficulties with choosing appliances for a kitchen made in a style, for example, high-tech or modern.

The chaotic placement of spotlights should not be allowed. They are specially designed to highlight certain areas or to make accents on something, therefore it is very important to arrange according to a well-thought-out scheme.

If we are talking about ceiling lamps, they must be placed at a distance of at least 30 cm from each other. The distance to the wall must be more than 20 cm. Calculate the number of lamps so that one piece is approximately 1.5 m2. Experts recommend doing it even easier and placing 1 lamp of 20 W for each sq. ceiling meter. In the case when the power of the planned devices is more than the specified value, or there is also a main chandelier in the room, the recommended number of lamps can be reduced.

As for large rooms, the task here is to create the necessary lighting, first of all, in all the necessary areas. At the same time, the kitchen should be cozy and comfortable as a whole. In such a situation, a pendant chandelier is also most often used. The chandelier is usually placed in the very center of the room, and the spots are installed in the necessary working areas.

Under the condition of low ceilings, the situation will be saved by swivel spotlights, the light from which is directed to the ceiling. In addition, the lamps are located on wall cabinets. Hanging chandeliers in such cases is not recommended.

We must not forget that such lighting allows you to zone the space. You can select any of the functional areas. This is especially true in studio kitchens.

It is worth mentioning the two-level ceilings, which take on a completely different look thanks to the spotlight. In this situation, the choice is made in favor of recessed luminaires. You can select each level or only one of them.

How to install spot lights, see below.