Many people are eager to reduce their carbon footprint and often see their homes as an obvious place where they can really cut down on their energy consumption. But while everyone knows about the importance of recycling or the savings that can be made from insulating their home, not many have thought about 'greener' kitchen lighting as a gateway to an eco-friendly home.
Your kitchen has massive potential as an energy-efficient focal point and lighting is one of the easiest places to start as you progress towards a greener household. Sure, you've thought about replacing those old light bulbs for new eco-friendly ones, but have you ever considered how you might maximise the room's natural light? Or how you could reduce the number of lights in the kitchen without compromising its aesthetic? Here are some tips and tricks to get you started.
Natural light - Benefits and things to consider
Most kitchens have some degree of natural light streaming through a window, but are you making the most of this free, eco-friendly light source? Having a kitchen bathed in sunlight is the simplest way to reduce the need for energy-consuming artificial lighting and it can also help to greatly enhance the overall appeal of the room. Think about where you could put in an extra window or, if appropriate, consider installing a skylight for maximum light exposure. 'Domed' skylights have the added benefit of absorbing harmful UV rays and spread light to give the impression of a room 'flooded' with natural light.
If you're planning to open your kitchen up to more natural light, though, there are a couple of important considerations that you need to make. First, think about the room's colour scheme. Certain colours and surfaces work better with natural light than others, and it's important to know that you're creating your desired visual effect. As a general rule, gentler, more 'neutral' colour schemes that incorporate whites, yellows and light blues work superbly with natural light, while bolder blacks and reds sometimes feel off-putting and intrusive. Also, think about how the room will look at night. More natural light is great, but it's not a complete substitute for artificial lighting.
Artificial lighting - Adaptable, efficient solutions
Artificial lighting will always have a role to play in your kitchen. It's just a case of choosing efficient lighting that meets the wider functions of the room. As a first step, swap your conventional energy-guzzling bulbs for compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), which last much longer while providing the same levels of light. Alternatively, why not go for LED lighting? These lights are incredibly energy-efficient and offer more focused, intensive light for an interesting visual effect.
Of course, kitchens are often more than just places for food preparation and some may desire lighting that sets the mood and helps creates an atmosphere. In this case, a dimmer switch or three-setting control could be the answer, allowing you to use light in an eco-conscious, responsive manner. Or consider using several smaller lights to create an ambience that uses only the optimum amount of energy.
An integrated approach
In the end, your lighting choices will depend on both the design and function of your kitchen. What's important is that you take an integrated approach that makes the most of both natural and artificial light. For example, you could open your room out with a skylight but use under-cabinet LED lights to give the room an attractive and distinctive night-time character. Whatever your approach, there are many options open to those looking to implement environmentally-friendly kitchen lighting solutions.
