Lighting makes a difference
POSTED ON Thursday, October 15, 2020 IN Kitchen
A lot of factors can affect how you view color, including natural light, and the light bulbs you choose.
The kitchen pictured above was finished with our Graphite solid color. And as you can see, the lighting you choose can definitely change the look and feel of a room.
Clearly, the photo on the left has more blue tones. When this photo was taken, we left the curtains and blinds open, allowing natural daylight to flood the room. In the second photo, we blocked the natural light from coming in and added additional artificial light. The warm light has filtered in and the island now depicts our Graphite solid color much more accurately.
What was happening?
The kitchen lights were normal style everyday light bulbs and were warm in color (towards yellow) compared to the natural daylight coming in the windows that was cooler in color (towards blue). So, during the day the kitchen with the room lights illuminated look normal to your eye while any parts of the kitchen that were illuminated by the daylight coming in the window looked blue in comparison. If you turned out the lights during the day the gray would look all the same with only the window light in the room. At night with only the room lights on the grays would also look the same. (however using the old style Edison bulbs that are so trendy today the light is very yellow Consider that when choosing the color for your kitchen if incorporating those type of fixtures.)
Light color is measured on a scale called Kelvin, (K) normal light bulbs around 2800K and daylight about 5500K. People in general like the warmer color light bulbs as they have a nice warm and fuzzy feel at home. Some bulbs like the old fashion reproduction bulbs in that kitchen only come in the warmer color. Be careful mixing normal light bulbs in a room with the old fashion repro bulbs. Incandescent light provides soft, warm yellowish light, usually used for recessed cans or downlights. Halogen lights produce a crisp white light that is appropriate for task lighting; fluorescent lights, which have a long life and low energy use, now come in many different shades from warm to cool.
In addition to selecting the right Light “Color”, selecting the type and placement of fixtures for your home is just as critical. Whether it is a pendant light, chandelier of reclaimed wood (above) or other decorative lights, you choose, you may want to combine different types of fixtures like mixing a chandelier with recessed lights (shown in the photo above). What types of activities like cooking and prep will need lighting? How many lights are appropriate along with the placement of lights especially around an island or appliance or eating area. A lighting contractor can assist with some of these decisions.
Accent lighting creates a focal point to a particular object. It can be used to highlight architectural features or artwork possibly direct your eye to special collection. Cove lighting provides soft, indirect light. Ambient or diffused lights can add atmosphere to a room but may not work for some activities. The quality of the light and bulbs will affect the atmosphere in the room. Incandescent light provides soft, warm yellowish light, usually used for recessed cans or downlights. Halogen lights produce a crisp white light that is appropriate for task lighting; fluorescent lights, which have a long life and low energy use, now come in many different shades from warm to cool.
Lighting
Beside choosing the type of fixtures for your room whether it is a pendant, chandelier of reclaimed wood or other decorative light, recessed, lights under counter, how many lights along with the placement of lights is critical especially around an island or appliance area. A lighting contractor can assist with these decisions.
Along with choosing the type of light fixtures is the placement in the room, Having adequate lighting is important in cooking and prep in the kitchen.
Ambient or diffused lights can obviously add atmosphere to a room but be careful, a single light source may not be enough
HGTV: The quality of the light and bulbs will affect the atmosphere in the room. Incandescent light provides soft, warm yellowish light, usually used for recessed cans or downlights. Halogen lights produce a crisp white light that is appropriate for task lighting; fluorescent lights, which have a long life and low energy use, now come in many different shades from warm to cool.
Accent lighting creates a focal point by drawing the eye to a particular object. It can be used to highlight architectural features like a coffered ceiling or arches, or artwork and special collections on display. Cove lighting provides soft, indirect light.
RECOMMENDED