 | We all know that lighting is absolutely essential when designing a new kitchen. But natural light can play just a big a part as artificial task and mood lighting when it comes to the feel of the space. With only artificial light, even the brightest and lightest kitchen can feel gloomy. This is why it’s essential to get as much sunlight into the room as possible, and here’s how to do it: |
Opt for lighter colours
Lighter colours tend to make a room appear brighter and airier, whereas darker colours can appear gloomy when there isn’t enough natural light available to bring out their intensity. If you’re bored by the idea of too many pastels and wishy-washy shades, consider leaving your walls white or pale and injecting colour through sparing use of exciting wall tiles.
Have lots of reflective surfaces
This doesn’t mean you have to go for a fully stainless steel worktop or mirror tiles, but incorporating reflective elements can help you bounce light into all parts of the kitchen. There are lots of ways to do this, including choosing doors and drawer fronts with a glossy finish or installing taps, handles and even plug sockets which have a shiny chrome finish. You can have a mirror in the room for an extra decorative touch. All of this gives your kitchen a little extra sparkle as well as making the most of the natural light entering the room.
Be careful with cupboards
When deciding where all of your wall cupboards and shelves will go, pay extra attention to the area immediately surrounding the kitchen. If you fit bulky cupboards right up to the very edge of the window, they could block the light from getting to the rest of the room – or their doors could when open. Leaving extra space or installing open shelving around windows lets the light flood in.
Consider light tunnels and skylights
Light tunnels can be a great way to bring in extra sunlight when an extra window isn’t a practical option, but you do need to have a very particular kind of space to be able to fit one. It’s a similar story with skylights, as these are ideal for kitchen extensions and rooms with no floors above them.
Install glass panel doors
This tip applies to both your cupboard doors, and any doors leading off your kitchen. Glass cupboard doors will reflect natural light around the room, while glass panels in other doors will help to bring the light in from other parts of the house. If the room or hallway next to the kitchen has lots of windows and is flooded with natural light, you can use glass panel doors to share some of this light with the kitchen.
Need more advice? For expert tips and help with all aspects of kitchen planning and fitting, get in touch with the specialists at A&J Kitchens. With all their years of experience in kitchen fitting, there aren’t many kitchen design challenges they haven’t come across.
Lighter colours tend to make a room appear brighter and airier, whereas darker colours can appear gloomy when there isn’t enough natural light available to bring out their intensity. If you’re bored by the idea of too many pastels and wishy-washy shades, consider leaving your walls white or pale and injecting colour through sparing use of exciting wall tiles.
Have lots of reflective surfaces
This doesn’t mean you have to go for a fully stainless steel worktop or mirror tiles, but incorporating reflective elements can help you bounce light into all parts of the kitchen. There are lots of ways to do this, including choosing doors and drawer fronts with a glossy finish or installing taps, handles and even plug sockets which have a shiny chrome finish. You can have a mirror in the room for an extra decorative touch. All of this gives your kitchen a little extra sparkle as well as making the most of the natural light entering the room.
Be careful with cupboards
When deciding where all of your wall cupboards and shelves will go, pay extra attention to the area immediately surrounding the kitchen. If you fit bulky cupboards right up to the very edge of the window, they could block the light from getting to the rest of the room – or their doors could when open. Leaving extra space or installing open shelving around windows lets the light flood in.
Consider light tunnels and skylights
Light tunnels can be a great way to bring in extra sunlight when an extra window isn’t a practical option, but you do need to have a very particular kind of space to be able to fit one. It’s a similar story with skylights, as these are ideal for kitchen extensions and rooms with no floors above them.
Install glass panel doors
This tip applies to both your cupboard doors, and any doors leading off your kitchen. Glass cupboard doors will reflect natural light around the room, while glass panels in other doors will help to bring the light in from other parts of the house. If the room or hallway next to the kitchen has lots of windows and is flooded with natural light, you can use glass panel doors to share some of this light with the kitchen.
Need more advice? For expert tips and help with all aspects of kitchen planning and fitting, get in touch with the specialists at A&J Kitchens. With all their years of experience in kitchen fitting, there aren’t many kitchen design challenges they haven’t come across.
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