Kitchen Inspiration Gallery



Today’s kitchens are more than just places to prepare meals. In addition to its primary food function, this room ranks as the heart of the home and center of family activity. Families today truly live in the kitchen. Kids study there; parents pay the bills and write checks there; everyone reads the morning paper in the kitchen; families eat their meals there.

Such multi-tasking kitchens demand equally versatile lighting. Gone are the days when a single 100-watt fixture centered in the kitchen’s ceiling was sufficient. Fortunately, kitchen lighting has gone through quite an evolution in the last few years -- not only in the type and design, but also in the areas in which it is placed.

The right recipe for lighting your kitchen depends on the size and complexity of the room. Small kitchens may require only a central ceiling fixture and task lighting tucked under a cabinet. More elaborate kitchens will demand a blend of general, task and accent lighting.

Functional fixtures will provide well-diffused general lighting perfect for moving about the room safely, peering inside drawers and cabinets, and performing chores. While large, surface fluorescents have been popular in the past, the latest looks revolve around recessed lights and low voltage, industrial styles, often with a metal finish.

Recessed downlights assure even illumination. Install them over the stove and sink areas to create adequate task lighting for cooking and cleaning. The kitchen table is another family focal point. A decorative pendant, operating with a dimmer control, will provide sufficient lighting.

Mini pendant lighting, whether fixed or moveable on a rail system, are a beautiful solution over islands or peninsulas. Burnished glass glows in stylized colors on some, while retro-sleek stainless glam dresses others. No matter which light style you choose, be sure to light all corners of the kitchen. Lighting the spaces above and below the cabinets has become more important than ever. Available in slim, energy-efficient designs such as miniature track lights or low-voltage linear systems, under- and over-cabinet lighting quickly and easily lights up counter tops and accents ceilings.

It is also important that your lighting design meets all California’s Title 24 Building Codes. Energy efficient lighting plays an important role in lighting kitchens today. In the past, there were few choices in fluorescent lighting for residential environments, but now you can choose from many colors and numerous decorative options to make a kitchen look more like a home and less like an office. An intelligent mix of lighting is now possible, primarily because of the growing concern for a green world.

Our lighting consultants can help you design a perfect lighting plan, be functional and make your kitchen a wonderful place to enjoy.