Planning lighting for cooking and dining areas

Daylight and artificial light?

• How do I design the transition between daylight and artificial light?
• How do I make the best use of available daylight?
• How do I avoid shadowing?

Every good lighting designer can answer these questions clearly, specifically, and vividly. Not only in technical terms, but also in images and effects.

To recap, glare-free light supports cooking, food preparation, eating, and entertaining at any time of day and throughout the seasons.

This applies to private living spaces as well as to kitchens, lounge areas, or entertaining situations in commercial settings.

Good lighting design takes into account not only work surfaces and pathways, but also the furniture to come.

So factor in the positions of the kitchen island, dining table, wall units, and shelving early in your planning.

Think through flexible lighting control as well. Bright, even light for working and atmospheric light for shared meals. A subdued light mood for a cozy evening.

Also plan for a strong cleaning light. This provides well-lit work surfaces, floors, and fronts.

The surfaces of the kitchen furniture deserve special attention. High-gloss fronts can produce reflected glare.

Dark, glossy fronts often reflect more strongly than light ones and must therefore be carefully accounted for when positioning the luminaires and determining beam direction and dimming.