The key to a successful kitchen design is the complete understanding of the true needs of the intended user. Universal Design means planning the spaces that everyone finds easy to use. One of the most basic principles of kitchen design is offering a variety of work top heights.

The first thing to examine is the counter surface area. Look at where you put everything in your existing kitchen and where in your new kitchen design will these things will go in the new space. Kitchens need a personality and a look and feel that can liven up the senses in addition to being a functional place for the preparation of food. A good kitchen design should have sensible work triangles and the right appliance arrangements so it will be easy to move around.

Lighting

Even if the kitchen has generally good lighting, the counter areas can be somewhat dark. For these areas under-cabinet lighting can help provide more light to work in. In addition to decorative lighting which can match any style, remember to but abundant task lighting over food preparation areas. Mood lighting can accent glass front cabinets and cove ceilings. Accent lights can be located under cabinets, against walls, or other areas. Additional lighting can be added in larger kitchen spaces with wall sconces.

You’ll also want to consider how you light the island and table areas. Here is where you will want to insure that lighting is adequate, and looks great with the Read the rest of this entry

Long gone are the days when the single, dim, overhead kitchen light provided illumination to one of the busiest rooms in the house. The modern, multi-functional kitchen is larger than the kitchens of yesteryear. Various lighting options such as recessed kitchen lighting may be required to properly illuminate the many areas of the kitchen that are used.

Kitchens have been more than just kitchens for some time. They’re now used as a focal space where homework is done, visiting and entertaining friends is done, reading the paper is done, and where people spend time just relaxing. Kitchens therefore require a mixture of lighting motifs to provide the appropriate amount of illumination for different activities. Ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting all play an important role in providing a comfortable, inviting, livable space.

By utilizing these different lighting motifs, you can create a dramatic look in your kitchen that will combine indirect lighting with direct lighting. Recessed kitchen lighting is a superb way to create indirect lighting because recessed fixtures are hidden from view. Recessed kitchen lighting fixtures can be installed underneath cabinets, above cabinets, as well as in the ceiling to provide an inviting atmosphere in the kitchen. Direct lighting can also be achieved with recessed kitchen lighting fixtures. Installed in the right areas, and using the correct light source, recessed kitchen lighting fixtures can provide wonderful spot illumination to areas where work needs to be done. This makes recessed kitchen lighting a great option for your Read the rest of this entry