Jessie Taylor
When designing a kitchen, lighting is an important consideration. The National Kitchen & Bath Association recommends a general lighting level of 30 foot-candles and task lighting of 75 foot-candles. To achieve these lighting levels, you can use a combination of recessed lights, undercabinet lights, and dropped pendant lights. The lighting levels in a kitchen are affected by ceiling height and room colour. Higher ceilings and darker walls will soak up more light, so these factors should be considered when planning kitchen lighting.
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What You'll Learn
Task lighting: 75 foot-candles
Lighting is an important aspect of kitchen design. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) suggests a general lighting level of 30 foot-candles and task lighting of 75 foot-candles. The number of foot-candles required can vary depending on the specific tasks being performed and the size and layout of the kitchen.
Task lighting of 75 foot-candles is recommended for kitchen work zones to prevent unwanted shadows. This can be achieved through under-cabinet lights and dropped pendant lights over an island. It is important to ensure that light is directed to where it is needed, such as a surface where food is being prepared, to avoid shadows falling on these areas.
To achieve 75 foot-candles for task lighting, lighting fixtures should be spaced 4 feet apart. This can result in a high number of watts, so it is recommended to use compact fluorescent lamps for at least 50% of the lighting wattage in new and renovated kitchens in California. Dimmer switches can also be used to control the brightness of the lights, as 75 foot-candles may be too bright in some situations.
Foot-candles are a standard unit of measurement used to quantify the amount of light reaching a surface. One foot-candle is equivalent to the illumination provided by a single candle from one foot away. This measurement is important for designing effective lighting setups and ensuring adequate visibility and safety in various environments, including kitchens.
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General lighting: 30 foot-candles
Lighting is an important aspect of kitchen design, and the recommended lighting levels are 30 foot-candles for general lighting and 75 foot-candles for task lighting. Foot-candles measure light per square foot, and different lighting types are needed for different purposes.
General lighting is the main illumination of a room and is necessary to avoid unwanted shadows in work zones. For a kitchen with a simple design, such as an 8-foot-high ceiling and white walls, the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends a general lighting level of 30 foot-candles. This can be achieved through recessed fixtures and sconces along walls.
To achieve the recommended 30 foot-candles with 4-inch-diameter recessed lights, these lights should be spaced about 6 feet apart, and a 50w MR16 low-voltage bulb should be used. This setup can be found in lighting catalogs, such as Juno. However, it is important to note that higher ceilings and darker walls will soak up more light, so these factors should be considered when planning kitchen lighting.
In addition to general lighting, task lighting is crucial in kitchens for specific tasks such as chopping vegetables or kneading dough. Task lighting should be brighter than general lighting, and it can be achieved through under-cabinet lights and dropped pendant lights over an island. For a 6-foot island, two to three small pendants can be placed in a row directly above where tasks will be performed.
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Lighting types: under-cabinet, recessed, pendant, etc
The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a general-lighting level of 30 foot-candles and task lighting of 75 foot-candles for kitchens. To achieve this, you can use a combination of lighting types, including under-cabinet, recessed, and pendant lights.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting is a type of lighting that is installed beneath kitchen cabinets. It provides task lighting for countertops and key workspaces, making it easier to read cookbooks, chop vegetables, and perform other tasks. This type of lighting can be used to illuminate specific areas, such as a counter space where prep work or reading is done. It can also be used to improve the atmosphere of the kitchen by highlighting a backsplash or illuminating the workspace. Under-cabinet lighting is typically not the main lighting source in a kitchen but rather serves as accent lighting or task lighting. Different types of under-cabinet lighting include light bars, tape lighting, puck lights, and lighting strips.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is another option for task lighting in the kitchen. These lights can be placed right where you need them, providing focused light on specific areas. However, the light from recessed fixtures may not spread out as evenly, potentially creating unwanted shadows. Adjustable recessed lights that can be positioned at different angles are great for highlighting centrepieces, candles, or flowers.
Pendant Lighting
Pendant lights are often considered the star of kitchen lighting design. They can be hung over kitchen islands or counters to provide task lighting and ambient lighting. Pendant lights come in various styles, such as mini pendants, cage pendants, and LED pendants, allowing you to choose a design that complements your kitchen's aesthetic.
By combining different types of lighting, such as under-cabinet, recessed, and pendant lights, you can achieve the recommended foot-candle levels for general and task lighting in your kitchen while also creating a visually appealing and functional space.
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Lighting fixtures: spacing and sizing
Lighting fixtures should be spaced and sized in a kitchen according to the type of lighting they provide. For task lighting, under-cabinet lights and dropped pendant lights above an island can be used. For a 6-foot island, two to three small pendants can be placed in a row directly above where you'll be standing. Recessed fixtures and sconces along walls can provide general lighting.
The spacing of lighting fixtures depends on the type of fixture and the lighting level you want to achieve. For example, to achieve 30 foot-candles of general lighting with 4-inch-dia recessed lights, these should be spaced about 6 feet apart. For task lighting, the same fixtures should be spaced 4 feet apart.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a general lighting level of 30 foot-candles and task lighting of 75 foot-candles. However, 75 foot-candles can be too bright in some situations, so dimmer switches are recommended to control lighting levels.
The height of the ceiling and the colour of the room will also affect lighting levels. Higher ceilings and darker walls will soak up more light, so these factors should be considered when spacing and sizing lighting fixtures. For ambient and mood lighting, above-cabinet lighting can be used, but avoid placing lights directly over seating unless they are angled away.
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Lighting controls: dimmer switches
Lighting controls such as dimmer switches are an important consideration when planning kitchen lighting. Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness of your lights, which is particularly useful in the kitchen where different types of lighting and light levels are needed for various tasks. For example, a bright light is needed for tasks such as chopping vegetables, but a more ambient, softer light might be preferred for dining.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a general lighting level of 30 foot-candles and a brighter task lighting level of 75 foot-candles for kitchens. However, 75 foot-candles can be too bright in some situations, so dimmer switches are a good way to control the brightness of your lights and create a more flexible lighting scheme.
Dimmer switches can be used with various types of kitchen lighting, including recessed lights, under-cabinet lights, and pendant lights. For example, you could install dimmable recessed lights in the ceiling to provide general lighting and use under-cabinet lights with dimmer switches to provide task lighting for food preparation areas. Dimmer switches can also be used with pendant lights over a kitchen island to provide adjustable task lighting and ambient lighting for dining.
When choosing dimmer switches for your kitchen lighting, it's important to consider the type of light bulbs you will be using. Some dimmer switches are designed for use with specific types of bulbs, such as incandescent, halogen, or LED bulbs, so you'll need to ensure compatibility. It's also important to consider the wattage of your bulbs and the number of bulbs that will be connected to each dimmer switch, as this can impact the performance of the dimmer.
In addition to providing lighting flexibility, dimmer switches can also help to reduce energy consumption and extend the lifespan of your light bulbs. By adjusting the brightness of your lights with a dimmer switch, you can ensure that you're using only the amount of light you need, which can lead to energy savings. Dimming your lights can also reduce the heat generated by the bulbs, which can prolong their lifespan and reduce the need for frequent replacements.
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Frequently asked questions
The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a general lighting level of 30 foot-candles and task lighting of 75 foot-candles.
A foot-candle measures light per square foot.
To avoid shadows in your kitchen, it is recommended to have at least two types of lighting, such as general lighting and task-specific lighting.
Undercabinet lights and pendant lights over an island are examples of task lighting in a kitchen.
Dimmers can be useful in the kitchen to control the brightness of the lights and set the mood.
