Kitchen what to light and how to light it
The kitchen is fundamentally a work area for food preparation and clean-up, but it is often used for other activities: dining, homework, games, entertaining. It should be functional, comfortable and beautiful; therefore the lighting scheme should provide a combination of general, task, and accent lighting, controlled to suit the activity.

Example of properly lighted kitchen

General lighting is needed to see into cabinets and drawers and for ease of moving about. It is best provided by surface mounted fluorescent, or by an array of downlights. Fluorescent produces the most light for the lowest cost. Californian's keep in mind Title 24 building code; "The first light fixture to be turned on in a kitchen or bath must produce a minimum of 40 lumens per watt" as your general room light. This can only be achieved by fluorescent lighting. Suggested illuminance: 10-20 f.c. Accent lighting of special objects such as cookware, a note-board or a painting, contributes to making the kitchen the featured place it has become in so many homes. Suggested illuminance: 10-50 f.c.

Lighting controls allow one to set the lighting for the activity: food preparation, a late snack, or breakfast.

Example of properly lighted kitchen

Task lighting is needed at the counter, the sink and the stove. These areas are often in shadow, whether created by the person working or the cabinet above; therefore the lighting should come from in front of the person. It must also be shielded from the view of others who may be seated nearby. Task lighting is also often required for reading at the kitchen table or dining counter: a pendant fixture not only can do the job, but adds visual appeal. Suggested illuminance: 20-100 f.c.

Example of sink lighting

At the sink, use a concentrated beam from a downlight directly above.

Example of poorly lit kithchen work area

Relying on light from a ceiling fixture in the center of the room puts one's work in shadow.

Example of task lighting in kitchen wrk area

Task lighting is at the front edge of the cabinet. The lighting should be shielded from view of those seated nearby.