Practical Guidance For Kitchen Lighting

• Find and read the articles referenced in the text to gather information about kitchen lighting.
• Analyze the recommendations from the articles to understand how to arrange ceiling spots in the kitchen for optimal visibility during cooking.
• Take note of the recommended distance between the spots, aiming for 80 cm to 100 cm.
• Consider integrating spots into upper cabinets to provide additional lighting without casting shadows.
• Explore the possibility of using smart home lighting solutions in the kitchen.
• Research the maintenance and care tips for kitchen lighting fixtures and surfaces.
• Review additional resources on kitchen lighting for further insights and recommendations.

Optimal kitchen lighting combines functionality with an inviting ambiance, which requires planning a combination of basic lighting, work surface lighting, and mood lighting [1]. When choosing lighting, the light color and color temperature should also be taken into account to create the ideal atmosphere [1]. This careful planning should take into account three specific lighting zones: general lighting, work surface lighting, and dining table lighting [1].
To achieve this, modern lighting and the integration of LED technology play a key role. The use of spots, LED strips and ceiling lights, paired with smart home solutions, enables flexible and efficient design of kitchen lighting [1]. In addition, advances such as the use of transformers, LED strips and suitable power supplies not only ensure optimized light quality, but also contribute to energy efficiency [1].

Basic lighting (General lighting)

Basic lighting, or general lighting, is the foundation of effective kitchen lighting. It ensures even illumination of the room and creates an inviting atmosphere. Here are some important aspects to consider when planning basic lighting in the kitchen:

• Light sources:

• Brightness and color temperature:

• Smart home solutions:

By taking these aspects into account, basic lighting in the kitchen can play not only a practical but also an atmospheric role, transforming the room into a warm and welcoming center of the home.

Secondary lighting (zone lighting)

In the kitchen, secondary lighting, also known as zone lighting, plays a crucial role in specifically illuminating certain areas such as work and dining areas. Here are practical tips to use this type of lighting effectively:

• Working area: 

• Dining areas: 

By combining targeted lighting and selecting the right light sources, secondary lighting in the kitchen can be designed to be both functional and atmospheric to meet the different needs of this central space.

Accent and mood lighting

• Pendant lights:

• Light color:

• Indirect and colored lighting:

Smart home lighting and automation

Smart home lighting and automation offer a revolutionary way to not only control but also personalize and optimize the lighting in the kitchen. By integrating smart lighting solutions, users can flexibly adjust their kitchen lighting, leading to improved functionality and atmosphere.

Steering methods: Lighting can be controlled in various ways, including smartphone or tablet apps, voice assistants like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple HomeKit, as well as remote controls [13]. This variety of control options allows users to adjust the lighting according to their individual needs and preferences.
Customizable lighting options:
Color and intensity adjustment: LED spots with multi-white function allow for the adjustment of the color and intensity of the lighting, which can be controlled through a smartphone app [9].
Dimmable and waterproof options: For specific needs, smart home lighting also offers dimmable and waterproof options, making them ideal for various kitchen areas [12].
Versatile applications: Smart home lighting can be integrated into a variety of themes, including but not limited to kitchen lighting, dining room lights, and even commercial lighting, highlighting the flexibility and adaptability of this technology [12].

These advanced features and the flexibility of smart home lighting and automation transform kitchen lighting from a simple necessity to an integral part of modern living, offering both practical and aesthetic benefits.

Choosing the right lamps

When choosing the right light bulbs for the kitchen, various factors play a crucial role in both creating a pleasant atmosphere and ensuring functionality. Here is an overview of the most important aspects:

• Light color and color temperature:
• A warm white light with a color temperature of 2700-3000 Kelvin is recommended to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in the kitchen [8].
• Color Rendering Index (CRI):
• A high CRI of 90 or above is recommended in order to display the colors of food and kitchen equipment as realistically as possible [8].
• LED lamps vs. halogen lamps:
• Energy efficiency: LED lamps use five times less energy than halogen lamps [9].
• Lifespan: LED bulbs have a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours (about 20 years under normal use), while halogen bulbs only last up to 6 years [8] [9].
• Heat generation: LEDs generate less heat compared to traditional light bulbs, which is particularly advantageous in the kitchen [8].

Opting for LED lamps in the kitchen not only offers significant economic benefits through lower power consumption and a longer lifespan, but also contributes to a pleasant atmosphere by providing a warm, cozy light [9]. Before choosing a bulb, it is advisable to see the light in operation to ensure that the color temperature and rendering meet your expectations [6].

Finishing and care instructions

Optimizing kitchen lighting through careful selection of primary, secondary and accent lighting leads to the creation of a space that is both functional and atmospheric, meeting the diverse needs of modern life. By integrating modern LED technologies and smart home solutions, a flexible, energy-efficient and individually adaptable lighting environment can be created. This not only ensures improved visibility during food preparation, but also creates an inviting ambience that enlivens the room.
The importance of well-thought-out lighting planning in the kitchen cannot be overestimated, as it directly influences the well-being and mood of the residents. It is therefore advisable to take time to plan and carefully evaluate the available options. Particular emphasis should be placed on selecting lamps that are not only functional, but also contribute to the aesthetic design of the room. Ultimately, well-thought-out kitchen lighting contributes significantly to the quality of life and transforms the kitchen into an oasis of well-being where family and friends enjoy gathering.

FAQs

How do you achieve the ideal lighting in the kitchen?

For adequate basic lighting in your kitchen, you should aim for a light intensity of 200 to 400 lux. A light intensity of around 500 lux is recommended for lighting work surfaces or work areas. In order to adjust the brightness as needed, it makes sense to use dimmable lighting devices.

What type of lamp is recommended for kitchen lighting?

In the kitchen, neutral white light with an illuminance of 500 lux, which corresponds to 500 lumens per square meter, is preferable. Make sure that the lighting on the work surfaces does not cast shadows, which is best achieved when the light comes directly from above.

What aspects should you pay attention to when choosing lighting?

When choosing lighting, keep in mind that warm light creates a cozy atmosphere, while colder light has an invigorating effect. Colder light of around 4000 Kelvin (K) is therefore suitable for work areas, while warm light of around 2700 K makes living and bedrooms more comfortable. Ordinary incandescent bulbs have a color temperature between 2600K and 3000K, while compact fluorescent bulbs cover a range between 2300K and 7000K.

How should you arrange ceiling spotlights in the kitchen?

Ceiling spotlights in the kitchen should be installed in such a way that optimal visibility is guaranteed while cooking. The distance between the spotlights should be a maximum of 80 cm, ideally just 50 cm. It is also good practice to integrate spotlights into upper cabinets that illuminate the work area without casting shadows.

Reference

[1] - https://www.gira.de/g-pulse-magazin/bauplanung/kuechenbeleuchtung
[2] - https://www.kuechen-atlas.de/kuechenplanung/grundlagen-kuechenplanung/licht-in-der-kueche/
[3] - https://www.kuechentestkauf.de/ratgeber/beleuchtung-in-der-kueche
[4] - https://www.obi.de/magazin/kueche/kuechenbeleuchtung-und-accessoires
[5] - https://www.licht.de/de/lichtanwendungen/bereich/1-gesundheit-und-pflege/40-kueche
[6] - https://markenbaumarkt24.de/blog/ratgeber/kuechenbeleuchtung-licht-kueche-planen/
[7] - https://www.kuechen-staude.de/magazin/tipps-tricks/kuechenbeleuchtung-perfektes-licht-in-der-kueche/
[8] - https://www.reuter.de/magazin/kueche-richtig-beleuchten.html
[9] - https://www.hth.de/kueche/materialwahl/kuechenbeleuchtung/
[10] - https://lampada.de/kuechenbeleuchtung-planen/
[11] - https://de.paulmann.com/beratung/raumbeleuchtung/kuechenbeleuchtung/
[12] - https://www.leds24.com/smart-home-beleuchtung
[13] - https://shop.ledvance.com/collections/alle-smart-produkte
[14] - https://www.paul-neuhaus.de/lichtmagazin/news/kueche/
[15] - https://isoled.info/de/miniamp-steckerfertig/miniamp-anwendungsbeispiel-kuche/
[16] - https://www.lampen-lee-berlin.de/38-oberflachen-pflege
[17] - https://www.kuechenschneider.de/service/pflegetipps