The heart of the home is its kitchen. That’s where memories are made as meals are cooked and eaten together. It’s where friends and family gather during holiday parties. Children do their homework on the counters, while parents prepare dinner. So, there aren’t many things more frustrating than a kitchen that isn’t well lit and bright enough to work in.
If your kitchen is dim and dreary, it’s time to revamp the space with new lighting. And if you’re planning a full kitchen remodel, it’s even more important to plan out the lighting design ahead of time, so you can have a bright, vibrant space that is a joy to spend time in. Our team at Iron River Construction loves giving homeowners a smooth, functional, beautiful kitchen with creative and attractive lighting. We’ll help you assess what you need and suggest the perfect kitchen lights to fit your home.
To get you started dreaming of your new kitchen, here’s a list of Minneapolis and St. Paul area homeowners’ favorite places for light placement in their kitchens.
Ceilings
Recessed downlighting from kitchen ceilings is an appealing, practical option. In kitchens of the past, one large ceiling light in the exact center of the kitchen was common, but that design is old-fashioned these days. Recessed lights give a more customized, modern feel. Multiple recessed cannons allow light to evenly wash your kitchen with a warm, welcoming glow. During a kitchen remodel, add ceiling lights along the line of your cabinets. It’s a perfect way to add light to multiple high-use areas in your new kitchen.
Interior Cabinet Lighting
One area that can easily be overlooked but shouldn’t be during a kitchen remodel is the lighting inside your cabinets. Whether you opt for having lights professionally built-in, or prefer to install battery-operated lights you purchase at the local hardware or houseware store, cabinet light fixtures make it easier to find what you’re looking for. Even a small light on the inside of a cabinet can be sufficient to do the trick.
Underneath Cabinets
Another popular kitchen remodel idea is to illuminate counters by affixing lighting to the outer parts of your cabinets. Sleek, thin strip lights can easily be installed underneath the cabinet skirt, hiding the fixture from view while offering you a lovely glow to brighten the countertops. Additional touches like this help make your kitchen area appear more spacious, and the added light provides a comforting feeling as you move around and do your cooking.
Over the Island
When remodeling a kitchen, a butcher block or island is a popular and welcome addition, as it adds space for cooking, eating, and gathering as a family to enjoy each other’s company. The right lighting is important for such a vital space. Consider mixing recessed downlighting with low-hanging glass pendants, which add charm and warmth to your room’s design. A fixture that serves as a conversation piece is also a great way to create a kitchen with personality. And with several lights above an island, other fixtures in the kitchen could become less needed, keeping your energy use efficient and saving time and money in other ways.
Above the Dining Area
If you have a dining area attached to the kitchen, an excellent kitchen remodeling idea is to redo the lighting above the dining table. Perhaps no other area in the house is used by the entire family as much as the dining table, and it needs to be lit properly. Just like the kitchen island, the dining room table with a mix of hanging and recessed light adds not only efficient lighting, but also additional style and taste that family members and visitors alike will be pleased with.
Kitchen Nooks
Kitchen nooks are a common and useful addition during kitchen remodel projects. And although they are normally placed next to windows to provide natural daylight, light fixtures for your nook are useful during the evening. The type of lighting you select will depend on how much light you need in the nook, compared to where the rest of your kitchen light fixtures are located. Some homeowners opt for classic, traditional chandeliers. For a modern, sleek breakfast nook, you might opt for pendant, recessed or other trendy kitchen fixtures.
Wall Lighting
If the ceilings in a kitchen are low, wall lighting may be included in the remodel design to help brighten the space. And don’t think you have to use old-fashioned, glitzy, golden sconces to make this look happen. Modern wall lights are versatile and attractive. They come in many different colors and styles that can blend well with your chosen new kitchen design, adding a creative touch of elegance.
Directly over Walkways
As you think about ways to brighten your kitchen area, don’t overlook hallways and entrances. Walkways to the kitchen can be lit directly overhead to eliminate dark areas that otherwise might occur. This clever kitchen model idea helps ensure your new lighting design doesn’t miss the outskirts of the kitchen. Also, light fixtures installed at doorways create a smooth flow into the space and offer a bright, cheery feel that is welcoming and inviting.
Kitchen Remodel Options You’ll Love
A kitchen remodel is a terrific way to create added value in your home, and if you choose your design wisely, you’ll get solid return on your investment as well.
Begin dreaming about the look you want by visiting our gallery of home remodeling projects. The possibilities are nearly endless! From wooden flooring and marble countertops to attractive drop kitchen lights and cabinets with specially designed shelving to fit your needs and more—discover how we can help you create your dream kitchen.
