Lighting is essential for every space in the home, but it becomes a matter of safety in the kitchen. Insufficient lighting can be downright dangerous, especially when working with sharp objects or around open flames and hot surfaces. Bright, appropriate lighting pointing at work areas like kitchen faucets is rarely available with natural light alone. Yet, it’s also valuable to bring in natural lighting whenever possible in the kitchen.
Read on to learn how to achieve the right balance between natural and artificial lighting in this part of the home.
First, check to see what exposures are available to the kitchen walls before assuming adding windows or skylights will add more light. Rooms need Southern or Western exposures to take advantage of bright light from noon through the afternoon. If the rest of the house or shade trees tend to block natural light from the kitchen, artificial lighting may be the only practical option for brightening the room.
Even if ample natural light is available for the room, weigh the costs of adding features like windows and skylights. Artificial lighting will almost always cost less than trying to punch a hole through the wall or ceiling of a room. While natural lighting may cost less to operate over time than electric lights, they have a lot of upfront costs and ongoing maintenance expenses to consider.
Finally, artificial light fixtures do more than just brighten up the space. They also double as decorative features on their own. Make sure to consider how the lighting affects the finishes: chrome, nickel and brass. Chrome looks good in both artificial and natural lighting, but brass and rubbed nickel definitely benefit from the warmth of natural light.
Find kitchen faucets to match any light fixtures here at Kingston Brass. Explore a wide selection of kitchen fixtures to complete a remodel or new construction.
