Kitchen Lighting Options General Room Lighting In the kitchen, where excellent ambient lighting is essential to general illumination and specific tasks, a combination of fixtures and bulb types is most effective. The ceiling-mounted fluorescent box is still valued for its energy efficiency and even light, but recessed down lights predominate in newer kitchens as a less obtrusive solution. Recessed "cans" may house incandescent, regular halogen, or compact fluorescent bulbs; low-voltage halogen cans require a transformer, which makes them more costly, but are also highly efficient. Down lights can be grouped for general lighting, focused on task areas such as cook top or sink, or used to spotlight objects. Flexible mini-track systems, with small fixtures and low-voltage lamps, Òcan be problem-solvers where there's a limited power supply or little chance to add switches,Ó says Joe Rey-Barreau, an American Lighting Association consultant. Hanging lights Form and function meet in hanging fixtures such as pendants (single-arm) or chandeliers (multi-arm), which facilitate tasks and act as decorative elements. Above an island or table, a hanging fixture highlights the area for working or dining and creates a focal point (just make sure that fixtures don't block sight lines). Pendants also visually break up the horizontal lines of counters and cabinetry. Undercabinet options Undercabinet fixtures brighten task work and round out a lighting plan. If you opt for fluorescents, choose a slender housing with electronic ballast and "warm white" lamps. Many pros prefer low-voltage halogens for their crisp, vibrant light. Round 3-inch "puck" lights are singly or in kits; easily installed low-voltage linear systems come in several lengths with built-in transformers. Where to find lighting Decorative fixtures are on view at many home improvement centers, but the best selection is usually found at a lighting showroom, which should also have a variety of catalogs to browse. For basic fixtures such as recessed cans and track systems, visit a lighting supply store or consult your electrician. The placement of outlets "The design and pattern of the backsplash often dictate where outlets and switches should go," advises Shirley McFarlane, and Atlanta-based kitchen designer. "Rather than chop up a backsplash, have your electrician run a low profile outlet strip under the cabinets." Placing it behind undercabinet lighting keeps it out of view. Wall outlets within six feet of a sink must be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent shock. Outlets may not be installed on counter surfaces.
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