Lighting Plan

Reflect back to the questions you answered in "Assess Lighting Needs". With these thoughts fresh in your mind and your new knowledge of lighting, it is time to make a preliminary lighting plan with your Kitchen Designer or visit a lighting expert at a local showroom or Home Center.

Planning the location of each light switch is a very important step. Think about how you will enter and exit the room and how and when you will be using each light. Should it be a one way, two way, or three way switch? Very often ambient/general lights are the first fixtures that are turned on in a kitchen. Plan a convenient and accessible light switch as soon as you enter the room. If the general light is a source of safety at night, you may look at installing a "lighted switch" which is illuminated in the dark. Secondary light switches can be installed closer to the area where they are lighting.

To make a lighting plan follow the steps below:

1. Make a list of all the activities that occur in your kitchen--always include each of your family members. Group similar tasks. What are the heights of the members of your family and could someone with limited mobility reach the needed light switches?

2. Take the floor plan of your kitchen (which includes cabinets) and place tracing paper over the plan. Circle every activity center: cooking, clean-up, baking, homework, computer/message center, eating area, etc. Every task and function may require different lighting, fixtures and levels of light. Reflect back upon the different types of lighting such as ambient/general, task, accent, and decorative. Simply use a G for general, T for task, A for accent and D for decorative. Work first with placement of general lighting, possibly over the kitchen table or recessed in the ceiling in a flowing pattern. Then, indicate task lighting located in positions above the countertops (installed under the cabinets) and over sinks. Next, evaluate the details in the kitchen to see if there is an area of interest to highlight or accent. Last but not least, decorative lighting can be a focal point to any kitchen. Pendant lights can be installed over a peninsula or a chandelier can be hung above a table or island to make a statement.

3. Seek out professional help from your Kitchen Designer or your local lighting showroom when deciding how many fixtures, the type of fixtures, bulbs and wattage needed to sufficiently light your kitchen.

4. Check with an Electrician and or your General Contractor to review local codes for the electrical needs, placement of lights and switches, and electricity around water.

Try GE's interactive Virtual Lighting Designer to see how different lighting options can change the look of your kitchen.