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Kitchen lighting design specifications: this article provides details about designing kitchen lighting, specifying the type and distance of lights for different kitchen areas and tasks: counters, tables, cook range top, etc. This article series details guidelines for selecting and installing interior lighting to meet the requirements for different building areas. Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman. Kitchen Lighting RequirementsThis article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Our page to photo (Taliesin West, Scottsdale, AZ, D Friedman) illustrates two of several indoor lighting methods used by Frank Lloyd Wright in "the bunker", originally a storage room, currrently used for meetings, and built with no windows. Also see LIGHTING, INTERIOR GUIDE our home page for information about all lighting topics relating to building interior Kitchen or Dining Table Top Lighting Specifications
Given the high lighting needs of a kitchen, the energy savings from fluorescent lights can be substantial. Look for fluorescent bulbs with a CRI over 80 and a color temperature near 2800K to match standard incandescent lights, or 3500K to match halogen lights. Our photo (left) illustrates bright halogen lighting installed over a kitchen dining table. Note that depending on how the table may be relocated away from its "design position" some seated at the table may see a shadow over their work or plate. Ambient Kitchen Lighting SpecificationsFor efficient general lighting, use one or more enclosed ceiling fixtures with a white diffuser that illuminates the ceiling as well as the space below. In a very small kitchen, placing the ceiling fixture near the sink and counter can provide effective task lighting as well. Our page top photo illustrates generous use of daytime outdoor lighting through a diffusing widow screen, providing good illumination without glare in a kitchen work area. For night time lighting, and for a softer glow in a kitchen, indirect lighting can also work nicely with lights placed in coves and above the cabinets to illuminate the ceiling.Although not the most energy-efficient, recessed lighting
has become a popular choice for kitchen lighting because
of its sleek appearance and dramatic effect. For even
lighting, use fixtures and lamps with wide beam spreads
and spacing based on a 36-inch work plane (Figure 5-23).
Also see the discussion on “Spacing,” page 202.
As a rough guide, the American Lighting Association suggests the following minimum lighting levels:
These numbers should be increased by 50 to 100% for indirect lighting, dark surfaces, lighting placed high in cathedral ceilings, or use of recessed lights with diffusers, baffles, or other light blocking trim. Kitchen Task Lighting Guidelines for Counters, Sinks, CooktopsWork counters, sinks, and cooktops all need high lighting levels. Where wall cabinets are present, under cabinet lighting provides excellent illumination for counters. Place lights as close as possible to the front of the cabinets to avoid glare reflecting off the work surface (Figure 5-23 shown above). Low-voltage xenon “festoon” lamps provide bright, even light similar to halogen but without the high temperatures and pressures, eliminating the safety concerns associated with halogen. Also, xenon lamps can be touched with bare skin and provide 10,000 hours of service. An alternative for lighting at counters is to place a row of recessed fixtures directly over the outer edge of the counter. If used for task lighting, place fixtures about 36 inches apart for 8-foot ceilings or 48 inches apart for 10-foot ceilings (see Task Lighting in Table 5-25).
Sinks, cooktops, islands, and counters without cabinets above can be lit by small recessed downlights or track lighting. Mini-pendants with 12-volt halogen bulbs offer an attractive and functional way to illuminate islands, peninsulas, and eating counters (Figure 5-23). Watch out: Check with local code officials in your own jurisdiction for specific lighting and electrical safety requirements. -- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction. Industry & Trade Associations for Lighting and Other Interior Components in buildingsAmerican Lighting Association www.americanlightingassoc.com Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries www.awci.org Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) www.carpet-rug.org Drywall Finishing Council www.dwfc.org Forest Stewardship Program www.fscus.org FloorFacts www.floorfacts.com The Gypsum Association www.gypsum.org National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA) www.nofma.com National Wood Flooring Association www.woodfloors.org Painting and Decorating Contractors of America www.pdca.org Smartwood/Rainforest Alliance www.smartwood.org -- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)... Ask a Question or Search InspectApediaUse the search box below to ask a question or to search the InspectApedia.com website. Ask a Question or Enter Search Terms in the InspectApedia search box just below. Technical Reviewers & ReferencesRelated Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
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