Kitchen Lighting - Interview with Kenny Collins, The Lighting Store

Published
05/22/2013 by Caroline Ratner

1) How important is good planning, when should you consider lighting in the kitchen renovation process?

Very important, the best way is to put the lights where you want at the beginning, it’s less costly and get a proper lighting expert in right at the start of your project.

2) What do you need to take into consideration?

Think about where you need the lights.

3) What kind of lighting is best in the kitchen - do different lights do different jobs and should they be of different strengths?

Spotlights – you can angle them exactly where you need, on work surface, above overs and hobs, so that you can prepare food safely and the light is directed correctly.

4) What bulbs are best – and what are the latest eco-friendly options for task light bulbs?

Halogen are the best bulbs, they show a true white light. The most eco friendly is LED which is more expensive compared to other lights but more economical in the long run because the bulbs last for thousands of hours. 

5) How do you go about choosing the right spots and pendants and where should they be positioned?

Go to a lighting store, discuss with experts. If you are choosing a pendant for over a table it depends on the style of the room. It’s all down to taste – a traditional chandelier can look great in a very modern kitchen.

6) How many lights are too many and what are the perfect heights?

In a kitchen you should have different lights for different tasks. The perfect height depends on two factors, the height of the people living in the house and the height of the ceilings.

7) How can I avoid banks of ugly switches?

Most people don’t need that many switches in a room

8) What advice and tips do you have for installing feature lighting in the kitchen – including colour changing, plinth lights, in-cupboard lights etc?

Keep feature lighting to a minimum, subtlety actually improves the “wow” factor. You don’t want your kitchen looking like Blackpool Illuminations.

9) What about colour rendition of white light – how can you stop cabinets looking sickly – and, when using colour changing lights, what cabinet shades work best (ie a pink or blue light might look dreadful on a yellow cabinet door)?

Because there are so many other factors to take into consideration (size of room, location of lights, natural light) it’s actually best to experiment with different coloured bulbs before you decide, aim the light at the surface then install.

10) What are the lighting requirements in a really big open-plan room with lots of different functions?

Powerful wall lights, nothing hanging. Halogen or spots might be over the wrong place, be very careful.

11) And ditto for a small room with limited natural light?

Wall lights are also really good in a small room with limited natural lights. 

12) Any other advice or ideas for ensuring a kitchen is beautifully illuminated…

Always consult an expert and make sure you budget sufficiently for lighting, there’s no point spending a fortune on a kitchen only for it to be lit badly. Lighting can make all the difference to a room. The Lighting Store is the UK’s premier lighting company, run by the same family for three generations, with two London showrooms in Baker Street and Finchley Road and a fabulous revamped online store www.lightingstoredirect.co.uk.  We have been supplying and advising customers on beautiful lighting for over 60 years with brands like Flos, Artemide, Foscarini and more. The Lighting Store has a loyal following of retail customers based throughout the UK and its knowledgeable team work with individual customers and also some of London’s leading developers and interior designers advising customers the right lighting at the right prices. They have a well deserved reputation for their expertise, extensive and stylish selection of lighting to suit all budgets and of course for exceptional customer service.

To see more lights please go to www.lightingstoredirect.co.uk