sea gull lighting kitchen lighting

If you spend most of your time in the kitchen, join the club!

If you spend most of your time in the kitchen, join the club! Our expert lighting suggestions can improve the way your kitchen feels, looks and performs.

Your kitchen is a room used for many activities, so it stands to reason that whether you’re building a home or updating an existing kitchen, the right lighting can make a huge difference.

Ambient lighting is general lighting. Recessed lighting and low-voltage systems are popular choices because they provide a key layer of lighting that can illuminate the entire space, right into the corners. Years ago, many kitchens just had one 100-watt ceiling light in the center of the room, leaving the perimeter in a shadow. Since the perimeter is where a great deal of kitchen work takes place, today’s emphasis on well-diffused lighting makes more sense! Plus, expensive cabinets and appliances will look even more beautiful in a room with nicely balanced ambient lighting.

Task lighting should really be called “multi-task” lighting, because kitchen activities go far beyond food prep and clean up. A dimmer is a great idea for these lights so you can easily read fine print when paying bills or tone things down for a cozy dinner. Don’t overlook the benefits of placing lighting over the sink and stove areas—two heavily used kitchen workstations.

Accent lighting adds drama, fills in blank spots and more. Tucked in above and under cabinets, or positioned all around the toe space below your cabinetry, small low-voltage accent lights enhance your kitchen any time of day. If your kitchen is especially large, accent lighting is all the more crucial. Wall washers, overhead low-voltage spots and the like can bring the space together in one, warm visual bundle.

Decorative lighting is in a category all its own. Today there are dozens of choices, from formal chandeliers to sleek contemporary pendants and everything in between. Here is where you can really express yourself. And if you haven’t noticed, decorative fluorescent fixtures are a great way to save money on energy bills without sacrificing style. Look for the Energy Star label on decorative fluorescent fixtures—your signal that the light meets the government’s most stringent requirements. One of the broadest lines of Energy Star lighting today is offered by Sea Gull Lighting. You’ll be impressed by the wide variety of looks and styles to choose from.

When it comes to kitchens, two lighting layers are better than one. Here, recessed downlights are
positioned to illuminate the sink area and island. The accent layer is created with under-cabinet lighting. Notice how the lights do double duty, washing over tiles and countertops while also lighting the work area. Options include under-cabinet disk lights or low-voltage linear lighting, like the Ambiance LX system. Find all these lights and more at www.seagulllighting.com.

Decorative lighting gives your kitchen a personality. These mini chandeliers provide decorative style without overpowering a space or visual range. Shown in the Oxford bronze finish with seeded glass accents and parchment shades, the mini-chandeliers are part of Sea Gull Lighting’s Haddon Heights Collection.