Types of Lighting

There are four basic types of lighting that give you a wide range of options. Installing appropriate lighting can make a tiny kitchen seem larger or a huge one seem more intimate.

1. Ambient (or General) lighting sets the mood of a room and provides basic illumination over a broad area.

2. Task lighting is used to help illuminate areas in which you perform activities such as food preparation, cooking, cleanup, etc.

3. Accent lighting is used to emphasize a certain subject or characteristic in a room.

4. Decorative lighting adds that extra flair and can often be a focal point in your kitchen. Think about choosing lighting fixtures that will combine both the functional aspects listed above and your decorative needs together.

The combination of any or all four types of lighting can be used for practical and ornamental purposes to allow you to customize your kitchen's environment and enhance the functionality of your kitchen layout.

Kichler Lighting can help you blend all types of lighting to make your vision a reality. While you’re on Kichler’s web site, get a quick overview of their lighting style categories by clicking on the Style Guide.

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