Lighting in the kitchen by zones. Ideal kitchen lighting: what is important to know

In order for the kitchen to become the center of the house and attract not only the housewife with the need to prepare breakfasts and dinners for her loved ones, but also everyone else, you should choose the right design. The more comfortable the household feels, the more often they will gather around the table and discuss common problems, becoming closer to each other. Kitchen lighting is one of the key stages in creating harmonious interior, since both comfort and the impression made by the room depend on correctly selected light.

The times when the kitchen was illuminated by a single light bulb in a boring chandelier are long gone. Today, both designers and room owners prefer to approach the issue of lighting this room not only rationally, but also creatively. Each area in the kitchen needs lighting that is individual and thoughtful. This is why it is important to understand that spot lighting- one of the components of a whole complex of appliances necessary to create the ideal atmosphere in the kitchen.

FACT! Organizing lighting in the kitchen is a rather complex task that requires attention not only professional designer, who will select the ideal light, but also a master electrician who guarantees uninterrupted and reliable operation designed system.

Each part of the kitchen needs individual special lighting, but it is important to find individual solutions maintain harmony when choosing devices. All lighting fixtures must be a single coherent system, each part of which does its job. In the kitchen, there are classically three zones, the lighting of which should be individual:

• Work area, requiring high-quality spot lighting.
• Dining area, for lighting which low-mounted ceiling lamps or wall sconces are most often used.
• Common area, which requires a two- or three-lamp ceiling lamp or well-placed spotlights lighting fixtures.

Spotlights in the kitchen interior

Spotlights receive a lot of attention from craftsmen. Such attention to them both on the part of apartment residents and on the part of designers is associated with a wide range and various possibilities for their use. Spot lighting in the kitchen is not only a way to illuminate a room, but also an excellent technique for dividing space, zoning it and decorating it.

Designers note the following advantages of spot lighting:

• The use of such lamps guarantees an adequate level of light throughout the room.
• With the help of specially placed lamps, one room can be divided into functional zones: for example, a dining room and a kitchen.
• Among hundreds of options for placing such devices, you can find the ideal one for a specific interior, thereby adding a touch of individuality.
• Properly placed spotlights can serve as one of the ways visual increase rooms.

ADVICE! For visual expansion room spotlights should be placed around the perimeter of the room at an equal distance from each other. This technique allows light to reflect off the walls and ceiling, scattering and blurring the boundaries of the room.

• Spot lighting allows you to create light accentuation, that is, with the help of a flow of light you can highlight individual interior details.

Spotlights are attractive for their versatility and ease of installation: they can easily be mounted in a plasterboard ceiling, suspended ceiling or surface made of plastic panels. Selected species Such lamps can be used both for the ceiling and for illuminating cabinets, since they are quite easily installed in furniture or household appliances.

Principles for placing spotlights

The versatility, ease of connection and operation, as well as the visual appeal of spotlights make them a priority when choosing lighting for the kitchen. This method of lighting a room, its parts, or even furniture at all, is not just unique opportunity creating a special mood, but also real option giving a typical kitchen elegance and lightness.

The location of this type of lamp depends on several factors:

• Room dimensions and ceiling heights. requires careful handling of lighting fixtures, because there should be enough light, but not too much. That is why spotlights are preferable to traditional chandeliers, which often clutter the room.
• Room style. Wide range types of lamps allows you to choose harmonious option both for a laconic kitchen in the style or for an elaborate and aristocratic cuisine in Baroque or .
• Ceiling type. If the plasterboard ceiling has no restrictions on the use of one or another type of lamps, then for stretch fabrics Powerful lamps (35 watts for halogen and 60 watts for incandescent lamps), which can melt the material, are strictly contraindicated.
• Features of the kitchen layout. Since spotlights are intended for zoning and accenting in the kitchen, they should not be used chaotically, but in clearly suitable places.

Using spotlights to illuminate your kitchen is a great way to create a unique ambience and... boring interior new mood. With the right approach, such lamps will make the kitchen interior cozy and homely, but at the same time stylish and effective.

And chandeliers, it is necessary, of course, to choose their layout. There are many nuances in this matter, and if you do not want to take them into account, incorrect placement will negatively affect the interior of the rooms, the quality of lighting and even energy consumption. It should also be noted that each room has its own requirements for the location of the chandelier and spots. Next, we will tell you how to place lamps on the ceiling, providing several tips, diagrams and photo examples.

Basic rules for placement

So, the first thing you should know about is the requirements for the location of lighting fixtures. In order for the light to be of high quality and most effective, it is recommended to place products according to the following rules:

1. The minimum distance from the edge of the wall to the spotlights on the ceiling should be 20 cm.
2. it needs to be strictly in the center of the ceiling. If this is a studio, it is better to place it in the middle of a certain area (living room or kitchen), starting from the interior of the room.
3. In the case of stretch ceilings the distance from the recessed lamps to the seam of the PVC film must be at least 15 cm.
4. One spot can illuminate no more than 2 m2 of space. It is better to assume that one product will provide sufficient lighting for 1.5 m2.
5. If you decide to organize a symmetrical placement of ceiling lighting fixtures, make sure that the products are installed at the same distance as possible in relation to each other and the walls.

As for the norms for the location of lamps relative to windows, no one specifically stipulates this point. In relation to window openings You can place the products however you like. The main thing is that the lighting area is as efficient as possible, i.e. light fell on some objects.

The best formation schemes

Today, when designing ceiling lighting, the following options for the location of spots and chandeliers are used:

Additionally, the soffit placement diagrams are shown in the video:

Beautiful ideas for the arrangement of lamps

Each method of arranging spotlights is unique in its own way and will not be suitable for absolutely every room. That is why below we will provide photo examples of the placement of lighting fixtures for all rooms in the apartment/house: kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room and even the corridor. During reviews of each specific location option, we will also indicate with the corresponding number which scheme is best to arrange the lamps.

Photo examples of lighting

Corridor

Since corridors in apartments (especially in Khrushchev-era buildings) are often not very convenient layout- long and narrow, L-shaped or small square, the placement of lamps on the ceiling in this room is purely individual. In rectangular and long hallways it is recommended to place the spots along plasterboard ceiling in the center or symmetrically opposite each other. You can see examples of product placement in the photos and pictures below:

Kitchen

In the kitchen it is recommended to place the chandelier above the dining table, and in working area make lighting with spotlights. The most current schemes in this case - 2, 5, 8 and 9. Pay attention to the placement of lighting fixtures in a zigzag. We recommend using this arrangement option so that the spots illuminate only the most necessary kitchen areas, bypassing cabinets, hoods, etc.

Hall

In the hall you can place spotlights in any way you like - a chandelier in a circle, in the corners of a square, an oval in the center of the ceiling, or even a diamond. You can do without a chandelier by choosing a circular arrangement of ceiling spots, which will allow you to create dim lighting in the living room. Special attention We recommend that you pay attention to scheme No. 5 - it will be comfortable for watching movies, because will allow you to delimit the room into dark and illuminated areas.

If you do not know how to place spotlights with a chandelier on the ceiling and you do not have any special requirements for placement, we advise you to opt for diagram 6, which is a classic of the genre for the hall. Also, for reading books, you can place a sconce on the wall above the sofa.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, bright lighting is not needed at all, so here you can think about whether a chandelier is needed at all. IN modern interiors In bedrooms, there are more and more built-in and overhead spotlights, which are placed in a circle or oval. It is also recommended to arrange the spots in a zigzag or checkerboard pattern to give ceiling lighting some zest. For reading, you can place a sconce above the bed, which will be quite enough.

Children's

Since the children's room is most often divided into 2 zones: for study and sleep, it is recommended to place lighting fixtures according to scheme 9. Spotlights can be installed above desk to make this area brighter, and use a chandelier for general illumination. We provided the rest in the corresponding article.

Bathroom

Well, the last of the rooms is the bathroom. Here everything, again, depends on the layout. If the bathroom is large, we recommend placing waterproof spots symmetrically around the perimeter of the ceiling. There is no need to use ceiling lights to illuminate the face in the bathroom. It is much better and more effective to hang a sconce above the dressing table. The most beautiful options We have provided placement of spot products in the bathroom in the photo gallery.

Choose correct lighting in the kitchen is not an easy task. With the help of light, you can visually expand the space, make it cozy and pleasant to stay. Then cooking will be a joy, the food will taste better, and gatherings with friends in the kitchen will become a tradition.

To achieve the “wow” effect, it is enough to follow the basic rules:

1. The kitchen should be light. Everything here is simple and banal - it’s nice to be in a well-lit place.
2. Don't overdo it. It is important to find a middle ground, since too bright lighting hurts the eye and is uneconomical to use.
3. Multi-level lighting. It will allow you to organically distribute light in space, create unique style kitchens.
4. The more light sources, the less their power.
5. Yes - simple forms. As lampshades, it is better to use simple, smooth shapes without sharp corners, bends, curls, because the kitchen is a highly polluted area, and an intricate chandelier will soon be covered with a layer of grease and considerable effort will be required to wash it.
6. Big - with small. Large lamps go well with spotlights.
7. Freedom of imagination. Don't be afraid to experiment, and the end result will definitely please you!

Multi-level lighting on

The combination of large lamps with spotlights on

2. Work surface lighting

Lighting options:

1. Built-in lighting under wall cabinets.

2. Lighting in the ceiling along the work area (table top).

3. Lamps built into the cornice.

4. Lamps with automatic switching on when opening the doors built into cabinets with glass fronts.

5. Lighting above wall cabinets.

Example on

LEDs are most often used as kitchen lighting, as they consume little electricity and are durable. LED strip, protected by silicone, is not afraid of water, which is a significant advantage in the kitchen. Halogen and fluorescent light sources are also used.

3. Dining area lighting

Often the main light source is deliberately placed above the table. Today chandeliers with long cords have become fashionable. A single lampshade or several in a row look impressive and create a unique atmosphere of comfort and warmth.

You should not place the chandelier directly above the head of the person sitting. The number of lamps should be proportional to the size of the table.

As chandeliers for the kitchen, lampshades of simple shapes are mainly used: rectangular, cones, balls, made of glass, plastic, crystal.

Single lamp over the dining area

4. Lighting in a small kitchen

The peculiarities of Khrushchev buildings are that the lighting of which has its own nuances.

1. Large ornate chandeliers and lampshades on long bases would not be appropriate here. The dimensions of lighting fixtures should be proportional to the size of the room.
2. No need for large quantities light sources. In a small kitchen, a compact single chandelier in the center of the ceiling in tandem with LED lighting working area.
3. To visually raise the ceiling, you can build into it led light bulbs, and direct the light from them not downwards, but onto the ceiling itself. Directed in this way, it will give the ceiling the effect of floating in the air.

5. Lighting in the kitchen living room

Often the problem of a small kitchen is solved by combining it with the living room. To visually divide the space into two functional zones, you can install dining table or a bar counter. Both require their own backlight. This could be a pendant lamp, a large chandelier, or spotlights.

The living room area should be lighter than the kitchen. Great solution there would be built-in spotlights in a multi-level or single-level living room ceiling. If the kitchen and living room are separated by a difference in floor heights, you can install light sources at this difference. This technique will visually delimit the space and become the highlight of the interior.

Backlight on

Lighting built into the floor height difference

6. Types of lamps

1. LED lamps. The main advantages of LED lamps are low energy consumption, durability, more low temperature housing compared to an incandescent lamp, ease of installation, small dimensions, high mechanical strength. Also led lamp is one of the most environmentally friendly light sources; its disposal does not require special conditions.

The disadvantages include the high cost (however, this is offset by for a long time service and low energy consumption), if one of the elements fails, the lamp is unlikely to be repaired. In cheap LEDs, burnout sometimes occurs due to overheating, especially in closed lampshades.

1. Incandescent lamps. The main advantages of incandescent lamps include low cost, small sizes, no fear of low and elevated temperature environment, and condensation. Incandescent lamps can also be found in a variety of voltages.

The main disadvantages are low light output, relatively short service life, fragility, high heat at long work, which causes a fire hazard.

1. Halogen lamps. The main advantage of halogen lamps compared to incandescent lamps is their compactness, longer service life and efficiency.

The negative side is high sensitivity to grease and strong heating during operation. When installing such lamps, do not touch them with your hands, as fingerprints quickly burn out during operation, leaving black marks. In case of accidental contact, wipe the lamp with a clean cloth (for example, microfiber) and alcohol.

IRC-halogen lamps. The peculiarity of such lamps is special coating bulb that allows visible light to pass through but blocks infrared radiation, returning it back to the spiral. Due to this, heat loss is reduced, and as a result, energy consumption is reduced and service life is increased.

1. Fluorescent lamps. Positive side such lamps are based on high luminous efficiency, long term service (compared to incandescent lamps), diffused light and a variety of shades.

The disadvantages include chemical hazards (fluorescent lamps contain mercury), low lamp power factor, uneven spectrum, unpleasant to the eyes.

7. Cost of lighting for the kitchen

Now let’s try to figure out the cost of all the beauty described above. It turns out that “cheap” and “beautiful” can be combined!

Let's take as an example small kitchen 7 square meters:

• The basis of the lighting is a five-light chandelier located above the table. Since the kitchen is small, it illuminates directly dining area, and the entire room as a whole. The cost of such a chandelier ranges from $80-200.
• Next, we evaluate the illumination of the work area. Three to five recessed LED or halogen lamps will be quite enough. This is another plus of $60-150.
• If you want something unusual, then tabletop lighting in the form of an RGB LED strip will be just right. A kit consisting of a five-meter waterproof tape, a control panel and a power cable costs about $30-50.

For rational and harmonious lighting a kitchen of 7 sq.m is enough for $170-400.

Modern kitchen - the most many functional room in the house. Therefore, properly organizing its lighting is an important task. Light in the kitchen interior - what do experts advise on this matter? What should be the correct lighting in the kitchen? In the article we will also consider design options for kitchen lighting solutions with photos.

With the help of well-placed lighting fixtures, you can literally control the space: make a small kitchen visually larger, emphasize necessary details, shift accents, divide the room into different zones.

In the kitchen you will have to work with several lighting options at once:

• general lighting,
• work area lighting,
• dining area lighting.

Each of them has its own requirements. The design of the lamps, the color and material of their body can be chosen to suit the style of the kitchen - high-tech, classic or rustic.

You can see everything from above

Speaking in the dry language of professionals, two types of lighting are usually used in any zone - upper and lower (for the kitchen the word “working” is often chosen).

First things first ceiling chandelier or lamps mounted in a suspended ceiling.

Typically this option is suitable for general lighting kitchens.

However, many designers are against this decision and advise using several sources: this is how you can achieve a uniform distribution of light, soft and at the same time bright.

Will also fit fluorescent lamps with a warm emission spectrum, and spot rotating light options. The latter are especially popular today. Placed along the perimeter of the ceiling, they visually expand the space.

You can also place them over the entire surface, creating the illusion of a “starry sky”.

Work comes first

But it's not the overhead lighting that plays main role, especially in the kitchen. The bottom offers more possibilities use your imagination and achieve the desired result.

Moreover, if you have a Khrushchev-era apartment, then the light in a small kitchen can come, for example, only from designated functional areas. You can completely abandon overhead lighting and “direct” the general light in the kitchen interior with sources for different zones: working, lunch, etc.

So, we found out that proper kitchen lighting includes the allocation of work areas, since housewives cannot do without “working” light. To solve this problem, manufacturers kitchen furniture They offer a special cornice with built-in light bulbs located above the hanging shelves.

But it is more convenient to place lamps directly above the tables. These can be tubular fluorescent lamps of warm white, halogen clip-on bulbs, the location of which is easy to change.

A sconce will also look good above the sink, stove, or bar counter.

It's time to eat!

The dining table should be well lit.

This also applies to those sitting at the table. If it stands against the wall, one or two sconces fixed at a height of about a meter above the tabletop, or lamps placed directly above the table will help out.

A desk lamp with a thick lampshade it will be a good decoration during evening tea parties.

The original solution is a floor lamp on a high arched leg.

Avoid sharp contrasts

Proper lighting in the kitchen depends on the power of the lighting fixtures located in certain functional areas. The overall illumination of the room is considered sufficient if at 1 meter square area, the power of incandescent lamps ranges from 15 to 25 W. But the kitchen is special case, the light in the kitchen interior should be sufficient for cooking and dining. Here it is necessary to maintain a total illumination of 75 W/m2. In the cooking area this figure should be 100 W/m2, and in the dining area at least 50 W/m2. In addition, lighting should not cause sharp contrasts (transitions from light to shadow), glare and shiny surfaces, as it has a bad effect on vision. That is why the lighting intensity must be selected depending on the color of the finish.

Kitchen lamps should not be too pretentious. And designers advise using colored light only as a decorative element.

Types of lamps

Incandescent lamps are still the most popular. They give a pleasant warm light and are used both for general lighting and for lighting furniture.

Colored incandescent lamps are perfect for creating decorative effects,

and mirror ones, emitting directional light, will help to consolidate a certain light accent (as in the photo - the light from the lamp advantageously highlights a picture hanging on the wall). However, the coefficient useful action incandescent lamps is quite low.

Halogen lamps emit a soft white light and last much longer. If you add a reflector to a halogen cold light lamp, the illuminated objects will not heat up.

The most expensive lamps are fluorescent. They allow you to significantly save energy.
Moreover, their service life is 10 times longer than that of other lamps. They have excellent color rendering, as well as a variety of shades - from warm white to daylight.

The light plays in the kitchen interior great value. This is where a woman spends quite a lot of time every day, cooking, washing dishes, etc. And for many, the kitchen is a meeting place for the whole family in the evening for pleasant conversations while drinking tea or eating. That is why it is important to pay a lot of attention not only to design, but also to ensuring that the lighting in the kitchen is correct.