Kitchen
The kitchen is where people congregate, not just where food is prepared. Therefore, the lighting should be both practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. The lights should also be able to be dimmed.
There are several types of lighting used in a kitchen—down lights (recessed), under-cabinet strip lighting, and hanging (pendant) lighting. Usually, MR16 Halogens or LEDs are used in recessed fixtures, LEDs in the strip lights, and incandescents in pendants, though the wattage will vary based on the space. Opt for a warm yellow color.
Down Lights: These are good for lighting a room overall and reducing glare and shadows. They work well in areas of “traffic” as well as used for task lighting.
LED Strip Lights: Task lighting that stays cooler are LED strip lights. These are mounted behind the fascia board at the cabinet’s front, thus making them invisible. They shine the light downwards onto the counter. Legrand’s adore allows you to mount outlets and USB ports in addition to the lighting.
Pendants: These are a more stylish option that lights up an island or dining area. They should be 40 inches above the surface to stay out of people’s way.
Track Lighting: This is a good option in a kitchen because you can aim the lights so they shine into cabinets and onto workspaces to make the room more functional. Incandescents, fluorescents, and high- and low-voltage halogens are used. There are lots of specialized features and connectors that allow you to rearrange the lighting as you would like.
If your kitchen is already flooded with light, you can still add some accent light. To do this, add floated shelves with LED strip lights to wash the back of the cabinets, highlighting the objects on the shelves. Use only one pendant light. Installing several pendants is a big mistake people make. Your goal is to accent the area, not clutter it.
Changing to Better Light Bulbs: Knowing how wide different lamps glow helps you choose which ones to put where. A standard reflector-type floodlight shines a beam that’s around 70 degrees (good for general lighting), a spotlight beam is around 20 degrees (good for task lighting), a narrow spotlight bulb (NSP) is around 12 degrees (good for bright, highly-focused light), and a standard A-type bulb casts a very broad light beam. You should also keep in mind that the farther away a light source gets from the object it’s intended to illuminate, the less “concentrated” the light becomes—100% at 1 foot, 1/4 at 2 feet, and 1/16 at 4 feet. Be sure to choose the correct bulb.
Bathroom
While people may think that lighting in the bathroom isn’t a big deal, it actually is. Because if you think about it, you start the day there by getting ready in the morning in front of the mirror. In addition, you try to recharge in there at night, with either a spa or a steam shower. Therefore, you’ll want to put some consideration into making it a well-lit room. With this, you’ll also want several layers of lighting for both practical reasons as well as to create an ambiance.
Task Lighting: The lights that work hardest in the bathroom are the lights near the vanity. The biggest mistake most people make is putting recessed cans right above the mirror. Instead of creating clear lighting, this makes it harder to accurately see yourself because it creates shadows. The best option in these situations is to install vertical fixtures or sconces on the sides of the mirror. This creates an even distribution of light across it. However, depending on the size and positioning of the mirror, sidelights can be an impractical option. In this case, you’ll need to install an overhead light. It should 75 to 80 inches above the floor with 150 watts that spread over a 24 inch fixture. This ensures that the lighting will be even over your hair and face.
Task lighting can also be used in the shower as well. In a small bathroom in which there is a glass door on the shower, this isn’t necessary. However, in a larger bathroom with a standalone tub, shower, or toilet, adding a recessed can light with a protective glass lens is a smart idea.
Ambient Lighting: A “fill-in” light substitutes for natural lighting. This can be done with a central fixture—a surface-mounted ceiling light or (for more creative homeowners) a pendant lamp or chandelier. Another option is “cove lighting”—rope lighting that’s a couple inches below the ceiling and hidden behind some molding that gives the room a soft glow.
You can highlight the tilework, fixtures, or a decorative piece in a bathroom with accent lighting, just as you would with any other room in your home.
Remember that mounting fixtures on either side of the mirror (36-40 inches apart) produces optimal lighting conditions.
In addition, you want each fixture to be around eye level (66 inches above the floor). This, again, creates an even distribution of light across your face and hair.
Other Things to Consider:
Having a crisp, white light ensures your skin is depicted as accurately as possible. Halogen bulbs set the gold standards, while low-voltage varieties (transforms 120 volts to 12 volts) provide a sparkling effect. Most features have screw-in bases that allow several types of bulbs to be used in them. While halogens may cost a few extra bucks, they last three times as long. Additionally, new compact fluorescent bulbs have good color rendering and can be up to 10x more efficient than incandescents.
Installing dimmers can create all-in-one (task, ambient, and accent) lighting as well as provide control over the lighting, forming the mood of the room, and saving energy. There are also dimmers now that work for every kind of light source. Incandescents and halogens use an incandescent dimmer, while low-voltage and fluorescents utilize different compatible dimmers. The bulbs may buzz when you dim them, therefore, it’s a good idea to buy a lower-watt bulb to prevent that from happening.
Staying safe is always important, no matter how nice a bathroom looks. Always remember that electricity and water don’t mix. Before you start even the smallest lighting project, consult a certified electrician.
While the National Electric Code requires new outlets to have GFCIs (and some old outlets can have them put in as well), this doesn’t mean you can plug a lamp or other external light fixtures into them that are close to the sink or tub. Not only must they be 6 feet (usually, check your local code) away, they also must be “wet” or “shower-location” rated. Be sure they are and not just “damp-location” (used for outdoor lighting) rated.
A Few More Tips:
- One accent lighting tip is to put strip lighting under wall-mounted cabinets.
- Don’t add too many recessed can lights to where the ceiling looks like it’s full of black holes.
- When installing lights, try to place them above a walkway where they will shine behind you and not harshly straight onto your face.
- In order to avoid shadows, use an opaque or frosted bulb instead of a clear one.
- The best types of bulbs to use in bathrooms are LEDs and MR-16s.
- Avoid having fabric shades on fixtures, especially if you have a Jacuzzi tub.
- When it comes to the different metals used, brushed chrome, nickel, and stainless do better than cast bronze and brass, which corrode quicker.