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 style of your kitchen. In the kitchen several requirements need to be met and these must be aided by precise lighting. Thus kitchen lighting is mostly task lighting and ambient lighting and less of decorative lighting. Direct lighting is achieved by using conventional recessed lights, surface lights or light fixtures that are on a pendant or chain.

Appliances

Even as family sizes decrease, the popularity of beautiful kitchens, designer cabinets, and custom appliances is on the rise. The latest energy saving appliances are a great way to remodel and update the kitchen. Most people who remodel their kitchen want everything new and to have it done professionally: but neither is really necessary for your kitchen to have a fresh new look. Just changing out old appliances may do the trick.

Countertops

The countertops are perhaps the most visible part of a kitchen remodeling project and there are many to choose from. Formica is the most popular due to its versatility and price. Ceramic tile countertops are available in many colors, as well as many shapes, patterns, and finishes. With kitchen color taking on more importance, many manufacturers of cabinets, appliances, flooring and countertops are offering the consumer more choices in colors. Consider new textures and colors for your countertops. And granite prices are more affordable than ever and offer some beautiful patterns, textures and colors.

Islands

The dimensions of a kitchen are an overriding concern in choosing a kitchen island. Many kitchen islands are wooden and use northern maple, red oak, poplar, birch, and plantation-grown exotic woods, but others are constructed of stainless steel, some combining wood with stainless steel. Use custom kitchen islands ideas to help you know how to create an attractive area that will perform a variety of useful functions. Designed correctly, kitchen islands will make your work area more functional and efficient and will be enjoyed by everyone for many years.

There are many more options when remodeling your kitchen but you must be creative and plan. Shelf storage islands can come with open shelves or closed storage shelves with cabinet doors. Pendants make excellent task lighting choices over stationary islands and will provide the added illumination when performing chores but can be turned off when dining or no longer necessary. Kitchen islands are typically used for completion of tasks which is why pendant lighting fixtures above this area are almost always a great idea.

Home Design – Kitchen Design Ideas is a post from: FunDKitchen

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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 kitchen because they provide both task lighting and accent lighting.

Everyone needs task lighting in the kitchen. For concentrated down lighting, recessed kitchen lighting fixtures are perfect for lighting a counter, stove, or sink because it concentrates light to specific areas making detailed tasks easier to perform. Appropriate task lighting should be free of distracting glares but also bright enough to prevent shadows and eyestrain.

Accent lighting is popular among homeowners these days. Recessed kitchen lighting is a great way to make those special items in your home, such as paintings, photographs, and architectural features, more visible without over-lighting the entire kitchen.

These recessed lighting fixtures can also be installed in china cabinets and display cases to illuminate those special collections you have. Even if you have a small kitchen, properly placed recessed lighting fixtures can make it appear larger by washing a wall with light. This will create a visual depth by adding contrasts and shadows to your kitchen, as well as any room in the house. If you get recessed lights that can be dimmed, you can enhance these dramatic effects.

When remodeling or building a kitchen, it’s important to create a lighting design that layers different light sources. Don’t be convinced that recessed kitchen lighting alone will be adequate. Layering the light in your kitchen will help reduce glare. Recessed lighting is a popular choice for overhead kitchen lighting however, if this is your sole choice, just remember that you’ll need adequate lighting so that you don’t create shadows. Keep in mind – you won’t be happy with your lighting design unless you have other light sources to fill in the gaps.

Recessed Kitchen Lighting is a post from: FunDKitchen

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