To make the right lighting in the kitchen, it is not at all necessary to order an expensive project from designers.

By following certain steps and rules, you can independently calculate the required number of light sources and choose the best option for combining them with each other.

Any lighting in an apartment or house has three main functions:

• light to see - general lighting

• light to see - accent lighting

• light to look at - decorative lighting

The main lighting in the kitchen - a chandelier or spotlights

Let's start with general lighting in the kitchen. The light to see is actually a central ceiling light.

It should evenly fill the entire room with light. How to choose the right lamp or chandelier?

First, locate the electrical outlet under it on the ceiling. Many mistakenly place this lamp exactly in the center, not paying attention to the kitchen set or refrigerator. It is not right.

Take the plan with the arrangement of furniture and draw a rectangle, stepping back from the edge of the kitchen unit. Next, find the center and this is where you draw the conclusion for the ceiling lamp.

If the kitchen is narrow or long, then the central chandelier can be replaced with overhead spotlights or built-in lights.

To do this, also find the center of the ceiling, stepping back from the kitchen unit, and place the lamps along the kitchen furniture.

With a large area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room and its elongated shape, it is possible to place light sources in two rows.

What types of fixtures may not be suitable as the main light and why? For example, modern popular models are the so-called track lights moving on rails or tracks.

Although they have a swivel design, plus they move under power to any point, but for kitchens with low ceilings it is better not to use them.

The design will look too bulky and create the feeling of a technical room.

However, in some interiors they look very personal.

For a loft style, it may be suitable, but for other styles, what is called an amateur.

Kitchen accent lighting

When you have decided on the conclusions of the main light, you can begin designing the location of the accent. That is, the light to see.

What is accent lighting for? To illuminate the kitchen work surface while cooking.

For this purpose it is best to use two levels of illumination. The first level is located on the main ceiling or in a constructed box above the upper cabinets.

These are spot or overhead built-in lamps. The depth of the upper cabinets of the kitchen is usually 35 cm, and the lower ones - 60 cm.

Therefore, to illuminate the tabletop, it is necessary to place the output at a distance of 45cm or 47cm from the wall.

Also, do not forget to take into account the diameter of the lamp itself. If it is large, then the distance from the wall also increases.

The first level of lighting should not be used if the kitchen is narrow, and you have already chosen spotlights as the main lighting.

The second level of accent lighting is located at the bottom of the hanging cabinets. Previously, these were only point light sources, but today LED strips are increasingly being used here.

They are very easy to install. They do not require replacement of light bulbs, and besides, they are hardly noticeable.

Many may have a question, if there is a first level of accent lighting, then why do the second?

First, it is necessary for people with poor eyesight. Secondly, in many kitchens there are no windows at all and, accordingly, there is not enough light.

And thirdly, the more light in the kitchen, the better. It is unlikely that you have heard complaints that someone has too much light in the kitchen. But more than once faced with a situation where it is sorely lacking.

How to correctly calculate the number of light points, and not make mistakes in this matter, trusting various online calculators, read below.

It should be especially noted that it is better to mount the LED strip in a special profile and use a waterproof design.

Location of switches and sockets

And how to provide lighting if the kitchen furniture is still at the order stage? The most important thing here is not to forget to make a conclusion for this backlight, at a height of about 160cm from the level of the finished floor, in the place of one of the upper kitchen cabinets.

You can provide a separate switch for this backlight, or use a built-in switch that reacts to movement or touch.

Where to place the sockets in the kitchen in compliance with all distances and norms, you can learn in detail from the article below.

decorative lighting

This lighting is needed for eating, tea drinking, a romantic dinner or just a pleasant conversation in the kitchen with your friends or relatives.

Decorative lighting should be in the dining area. There are three main table lighting options:

• pendant lamps on a long wire

They are suitable if the main lamp is a ceiling lamp, and not a pendant one. Also, if you do not plan to change the location of the table in the future.

More pendant and spotlights are ideal for placement above the kitchen island.

• table sconces

They will illuminate not only the dining area, but will also serve as wall decor at the table. Sconces are suitable if the dining table is placed close to the wall.

• desk lamp

This option requires a console or chest of drawers located near the dining table.

After you have decided on the location and purpose of the fixtures in the kitchen, you need to start choosing the design and characteristics of each light source.