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Even the best gourmet chef knows that the most delicious dishes can look bland and unappetizing under inappropriate lighting. This is why top restaurants and hotels make sure their kitchens and dining rooms are well-stocked with the right kind of amenities and are well-lit so no culinary mishaps occur.
It cannot be stressed enough how lighting plays an important role in both the preparation and presentation of food. For your home, here are a few lighting tips and tricks to cast the most appetizing illumination to each and every dish you serve up without costing you a pretty penny.
Go for recessed lighting in small kitchens.
Expect a lot of traffic in a busy kitchen, even if it’s not a commercial one. More often than not, home kitchens have multiple functions apart from addressing gustatory needs. The lure of the fridge can have family members and guests going in and out of the kitchen several times a day. There are also plenty of instances when people choose to do paperwork or meetings on the kitchen table. These activities are fine with a big kitchen or dining area. However, smaller kitchens can benefit from recessed lighting instead of overhead ones. Under-cabinet and shelf LED lights are practical, inexpensive, and work well with modular kitchens. They are perfect task lights for cooking, baking, and preparing food.
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A chandelier is not just for the living room.
Set the mood with a dramatic chandelier or drop light, especially if your dining area has sizable head room. Crystal or glass accents add glamour and sparkle for a fine dining atmosphere. As well, the kind of soft lighting a chandelier emits is flattering for the complexion, and sets a romantic tone perfect for a dinner date. For moderately-sized spaces, go for a single-tier chandelier instead of a multiple one.
Consider wall sconces for an elegant touch.
Wall sconces not only look good in any space, they also add much-needed head room in a cramped kitchen or dining area. They are practical and ornamental fixtures which can be kept on for hours instead of a single overhead light. Many models are designed with a dimmer to adjust the brightness to suit any mood or activity. For the dining room, consider frosted-glass wall sconces with warm-toned bulbs because these complement most types of skin tones.
Dine al fresco with path and fairy lights.
Outdoor dining, especially at night, can be extra-appetizing and romantic with creative lighting. If your garden has path lights, switch them on to add mood and to keep accidents at bay. You can also artistically drape fairy lights over bushes and potted plants for extra flair. Deck barbecues can benefit from bracket lamp illumination and porch lighting so you can make sure your meat is prepared just right.
There are many lighting fixtures to complement your kitchen and dining spaces and furniture. The key is to consider important details in your lifestyle and personal tastes, and choosing the kind of illumination that works best with them.
Therese Shaw is a freelance home decorator and writer. When planning ways on how to design beautiful and office spaces beautifully, she writes about interesting furniture finds and collaborates with InstyleModern.com, supplier of philippe starck ghost chairs.
