Ideas for lighting the kitchen in the work area - LED and other options

Few people, when starting to plan repairs in the kitchen, think about the proper arrangement of lighting elements. In fact, a single light source will not be enough. Each functional area must be illuminated separately. This article will discuss the features and various options for lighting the working area and installing such an option as LED lighting for the kitchen of the working area.

The comfort and convenience of cooking largely depends on the lighting in the working area of ​​the kitchen

Options for lighting the kitchen in the working area (selection of photos)

To illuminate the working area, a wide variety of lighting options can be used. Each of the options allows for full-fledged high-quality lighting, which will make the area around the countertop not only functional, but also comfortable. In this case, the best solution would be a combination of various lighting devices.

Correctly positioned and directional light is of the utmost importance.

LED Strip Light

Such lighting in the kitchen is considered the most suitable for the kitchen - it is both economical and comfortable to use. LED backlighting is becoming more and more popular for the kitchen, in particular due to its simple installation and the variety of colors. Ribbon lighting will be not only functional, but also a stylish option. For this, special RGB tapes are used.

LED strip is economical, does not heat up and has a long service life

Ice light fixtures

LED lamps can give warm, white or cold light, which a person will perceive as yellow and white light. By cold is meant a bluish tint. Ice lighting can be performed both with a tape and in any other form. In the first case, it is important that it has a high rate of protection against dust and moisture (such models will have a high cost). Other options for such lighting are built-in or overhead. As a rule, they are very easy to install and you can connect them yourself. A common option is the installation of fixtures for the kitchen above the work surface.

In the working area it will be convenient to use LED-lamps with touch control, allowing you to turn on and off the devices with a simple touch with any part of the hand

Spots

Especially well, this option will fit into a modern interior. The spots look like a small group of light sources that are fixed on a railing mounted to the wall. The key advantage of such a backlight is that its appearance is very stylish, and it is also possible to adjust the direction of the light. But there is a drawback - such a design “eats up” additional space, and therefore spots should be introduced into the small kitchen very carefully.

For fixing under the cabinets, it is better to take flat spots with a thin body, the light source in which are the LEDs

Lamp

There are many different lamp options. You can purchase wall-ceiling lights that are suitable for the dining part of the kitchen or living room.Properly selected fixtures will add a room of coziness and comfort for communication. You can consider purchasing chandeliers or ceiling lights, as well as various sconces. For a minimalist interior, square-shaped models are suitable, for a more classic, round or oval specimens will be appropriate.

The option of organizing the illumination of the working area using wall lights in the kitchen without hanging cabinets

Why is the work area in the kitchen necessary?

Not many people think about installing additional lighting for the working area, but there is always an urgent need for this. We list several reasons why it immediately becomes clear that the countertop lighting in the kitchen is simply necessary.

Additional illumination of the working surface has a beneficial effect on human vision

1. The main source of light in the kitchen is almost always located in the center. While cooking, the hostess stands with her back to this source of light. Thus, the light not only does not reach the surface of the countertop, but also creates a shadow that falls on the table and further complicates the cooking process.
2. Lighting of each zone performs the function of zoning the space, visually delimiting it.
3. The coverage of each zone individually in a small kitchen is especially relevant. By dividing the space, light visually enlarges it and makes the room more spacious.

That is, lighting can simultaneously add convenience in cooking, implement the zoning function, as well as add comfort and mood to the space.

It is worth highlighting several areas in which lighting is especially necessary - this is a cutting place, a sink and a stove

In most cases, the built-in backlight in the hood is enough to illuminate the stove

Where to place the backlight

It is not enough to choose the right fixtures, you also need to correctly place them. The most convenient and common location is considered to be placement on the bottom of the wall cabinet.

Lighting devices should be placed so that the light flux is directed directly to the working surface, and not hit the eyes of a person standing nearby

The easiest option is to install an open LED strip. The method is not the most practical - over time, the tape gets dirty, and it will be quite difficult to clean it

In the kitchen, it is advisable to use indoor fixtures in which the LEDs are hidden behind the glass. Products are more expensive, but they last longer

The depth of the fastener also matters:

• closer to the wall (inner edge of the headset);
• in the middle;
• closer to the outer edge of the apron.

Traditionally, the latter option is considered the most comfortable, because the rays “capture” a smaller number of objects located on the table, which means less shadows are created.

Spotlights built into furniture enclosures occupy part of the interior space of cabinets

Much more convenient are overhead fixtures, mounted directly on the case and not requiring a double bottom inside the cabinet

Thinking over the lighting for the dining table, you need to consider that the person in the sitting at the table is slightly lower than the person preparing the food. Therefore, the light fixed on the cabinet can blind a person. To avoid this, you can use a decorative bar that will close the angle of light distribution.

Advantages and disadvantages of LED strips

LED strips, as well as recessed spotlights, have both advantages and disadvantages in the kitchen. First things first. Let's start with the pros:

• the room is filled with soft diffused light;
• such lighting divides the space into a working area, a recreation area and the dining part of the room with the help of different lighting intensities and different shades of light;
• in a small kitchen, such lighting can be installed not only under a cabinet or a table, but also on the ceiling to make it part of the main lighting;
• on the modern market, manufacturers offer a very wide range, and therefore choosing a model suitable for a particular interior is quite simple.

The disadvantages of an open LED strip include possible excessively bright light, but this problem can be easily solved by installing a protective screen that evenly distributes the light flux

There are no serious flaws in such lighting. The only nuance may be the fact that the installation location must be chosen, starting from the brightness of the light flux or the power of the lamp itself. This planning must be carried out at the stage of creating the design of the kitchen interior.

How to illuminate a countertop with LEDs: interesting design solutions (photo selection)

To make the lighting original and stylish, you need to familiarize yourself with examples of real finished projects with interesting design ideas and solutions.

The specificity of spot lighting is that light is spotted on the surface. This feature can be used to create original design effects.

Linear luminaires provide continuous luminous flux

It is also important to consider all important rules and regulations. First, when planning a future kitchen, you need to decide how many light sources will be needed in the kitchen, as well as how much power they will have. This is not the easiest task, and therefore you can refer to the established standards. Illumination of the kitchen space should be at least 150 Lux per square meter. It is believed that calculating the power in Watts is no longer very informative, because today there are many modern lamps in which the light output per unit of power is completely different from that of incandescent lamps.

It is not so difficult to make calculations, it is necessary to multiply the area of ​​the room by the specified rate. Due to the fact that the specified standard was developed back in the USSR period, the result must be multiplied by 1.5.

There are also standards for certain types of lamps:

• for halogen - 30 watts per 1 square. m .;
• for luminescent - 9 W per 1 sq. m .;
• for incandescent lamps - 26 W per 1 sq. km. m .;
• for diode sources - 4 W per 1 sq. m

Interesting effects can be obtained using RGB-tapes, allowing you to change the color of the backlight

The original lamp of the linear type in the spirit of minimalism

How to choose fixtures: useful tips

To facilitate the process of choosing lighting for the kitchen interior, it is best to take the advice of experienced designers.

1. It is important to choose a lamp based on which zone it will be installed in. To illuminate work surfaces, brighter lamps are needed than in other areas of the room. Their shade should be cold. To illuminate the living room or dining area, it is worth choosing instances with warm light and low brightness.
2. It is important that the design of the lamp matches the overall stylistic concept of the kitchen. Plastic and minimalist models are suitable for modern styles. A classic design requires traditional chandeliers with elements of luxury and so on.
3. To illuminate the working area, do not choose lamps with shades, as well as with a large number of decorative elements. On such models, fat and dust particles will quickly accumulate.
4. It is important that the lamp should be easily cleaned of impurities (and there is more than enough of them in the kitchen), as well as the material of the lighting device must be resistant to cleaning agents.

The choice of this or that type of fixtures is based on the design of the room and personal preferences

What style of kitchen is combined with LED backlight

Of course, first of all, when thinking about which interior the LED backlight will fit best into, examples of interiors in modern styles come to mind. Such lighting will always organically look in the kitchen in the style of hi-tech, minimalism, modern. In all these styles, simplicity of shapes, their geometricity, simple and clear lines in furniture, modern technologies, technological innovations, materials - plastic, metal, iron, chrome details and futuristic appearance of all elements are appreciated. Of course, in all this variety of design innovations, LEDs will be more than ever useful. By introducing such lighting into a modern interior, you can not worry about compatibility and choose a special place.

The color temperature of purchased light sources is important.

In modern style, cold white light is more often used.

Lamps with a warm yellow glow add warmth to a minimalist interior

But what if you want to set the LED backlight in a classic style? Or, for example, in kitchens in the style of Scandi, Provence, oriental interior and so on? There are several tricks that will allow you not to give up the highlight in such designs.

1. Choose a not very bright backlight: such that it can fulfill its key function - lighting, but at the same time it does not attract much attention.
2. Perform a “hidden” installation. Let the LEDs not function in a conspicuous place.
3. Perhaps it is worth considering the possibility of a little “modernization” of the classics with other elements of the interior, so that the LED strip harmonizes with them.

In the classic interior it is important that the lamps themselves are not visible

Conclusion

When thinking through lighting, it is always important to pay attention to every detail. Especially when it comes to kitchen lighting. Light sources in the kitchen should be located exactly where they are needed, consistent with the style and perform their functions efficiently.

In addition to the practical purpose, the backlight can also play an advantageous decorative role

Properly thought out kitchen lighting can significantly facilitate the work processes in the kitchen, and make cozy family dinners and evenings even more comfortable and enjoyable.

Video: Selecting the backlight for the kitchen working area

Photo: Examples of illumination of work surfaces