Adding New LIghts to My Kitchen

Of all the improvements we've done to this house over the years, lighting my kitchen is a favorite. For years I worked with the low-cost, not-so-attractive track lighting that did not light my workspaces.

In a kitchen, task lighting is essential. Cooks handle knives, hot foods, breakables of all sorts. And the various tasks required to make a dinner for a small group of people happen in separate spaces within the kitchen. One light source is not enough, even in a small kitchen like mine.

The Design

The open ceiling centered to the kitchen is designated Zone 1. Two 24-inch flush mount light fixtures in this space provide general lighting. They light the space up, but when I turn to work on the island, I'm still working in shadow. A second light source is necessary.

The island is the workspace of the kitchen, and the area above it is Zone 2. Here we add three recessed lights with adjustable optics. With a widespread light source now above and slightly in front of me, I can see what it is I'm cutting with my super sharp chef's knife.

Zone 3 is the under-the-counter space. This is where the small appliances live, like the coffee pot. Bob adds puck lights, stringing the thin wire through the cabinetry. In the evening, these lights serve as night-lights; I can pour a cup of coffee safely without turning on all the lights in the room.

The Result

The installation of these three types of lights requires certain skill sets, electrical and drywall among them. If you're not versed in this sort of installation, consult with various contractors to get the best price for the highest quality work.

The results are transformative. My kitchen looks freshened up, but all we did was bring in the right lighting. I actually work faster and more efficiently now, because I can see what I'm doing. The project cost about three hundred dollars in materials, and was worth every penny.

You can see the video of this install at YouTube. And we hope you'll visit our channel for videos on home improvement, gardening, aquatics and of course, cooking. Thanks for visiting.