Light plays an incredibly important role in how you feel in a room. Naturally, the kitchen is no exception. However, the right lighting is not just a matter of aesthetics! Good lighting is of paramount importance in the kitchen; after all, who wants to be working with sharp knives in the dark? It’s worth planning this well in advance, as making changes later on can be a real hassle and very costly.

What we always emphasise holds true here too: it does matter what you use your kitchen for. Its basic function is, of course, to prepare food, which includes preparation, cooking and storage. But in many cases, the kitchen serves more functions than that: it is also a dining area, a place where the family gathers or where we entertain guests. We consider all these factors before any design process begins, as this step is essential for creating the right lighting.

 

 

What can we use lighting for?

#1. Functionality

This is where the list we drew up when we were reviewing our kitchen workflows will come in very handy. We need to make sure there’s light everywhere, and we’ll probably need more than just a single light fitting to achieve this.

The purpose of ambient lighting is to illuminate the whole kitchen so that you can move around safely. This could be, for example, recessed ceiling or wall lighting, or a chandelier. Task lighting is used to illuminate a specific area of the room where you are carrying out a particular task. This is where localised lighting comes into play – fixtures positioned above the hob or worktop, or perhaps inside a cupboard. The range of options is almost endless, so it’s well worth exploring the subject thoroughly.

#2. Decoration

There are some light fittings that are simply beautiful. They complement the style of our kitchen and brighten up the whole interior. They perfectly complement the kitchen furniture and, in many cases, draw the eye to themselves. First and foremost, they are a delight to look at; secondly, they provide light. This is where accent lighting comes in, for example, when you want to draw attention to a particular detail in the room, thereby highlighting its focal point.

#3. Mood lighting

Its sole purpose is to create the right atmosphere in your kitchen. Here, you can play around with the brightness as you like. Think about it: you probably don’t want the same level of light when you’re preparing lunch as when you’re enjoying a romantic dinner with your partner in the evening.

Each of the three functions mentioned above has its own purpose, and none can replace the others. For example, mood lighting can create a pleasant atmosphere at mealtimes, but it is unsuitable for providing adequate lighting for kitchen tasks.

 

One important thing you must never forget: the technical planning. Once you have chosen the locations for the various lights, you must also ensure that the flat’s electrical wiring fits in with your plans. A professional kitchen designer will not only make suggestions regarding the necessary lighting, but will also provide detailed technical recommendations which you can pass on to the electrician carrying out the work. If you feel you need help with designing your kitchen, Please feel free to contact the Mobilan team!