Small kitchens bring their own set of challenges, including adequate lighting solutions. If you’re a renter, you may not want the hassle of installing lighting fixtures that you’ll have to change when you move out. Your layout may also not lend itself to inspiration at first glance.
As the go-to custom kitchen remodeling services in Folsom, CA, Go Pro Handyman Services has a few ideas to make small kitchen lighting ideas accessible. Tenants and property owners who don’t have much time to invest might also want to consider the team for projects, from professionally installed lighting over a kitchen island to complete renovations!
#1 Utilize Under-Cabinet Space
The space under kitchen cabinets is always too dark to see what you’re doing. Installing lighting under the cabinets makes your kitchen a safer place to cook and work on other projects. It will also make the space feel welcoming.
Solutions like LED strip lights are fully customizable through a remote or an app. You can also change the color and brightness or have them pulse to the beat of your favorite tunes. These lights are easy to install with adhesive and just as easy to remove if you ever move or decide to remodel.
#2 Get Cozy with Candles
Nothing creates an atmosphere like the glow and fragrance of a candle. Why not choose scented candles to customize the space or home? You can also opt for unscented candles and just enjoy the soft light they provide.
Understandably, if you have small children or pets, you may not feel safe using candles in the kitchen. Much like strip lights, LED candles offer a safe, customizable option that looks just like the real thing. Plus, you’ll never have to worry that you’ve left candles burning after you’ve left home.
One expert tip is to place a small mirror behind the candles to reflect the flame and craft a lovely ambiance throughout a smaller kitchen.
#3 Customize Countertop Lamps
A small lamp on your countertop takes up minimal space when you need extra light in a small kitchen. Choose a lamp that fits your personal style for an added boost. A lamp is one of the more customizable lighting ideas because it’s portable enough to provide adequate lighting wherever you happen to be entertaining, cooking, or relaxing.
#4 Install Task Lighting Over the Sink
If you’ve tried a few small kitchen lighting ideas to no avail, look at the work areas individually. For example, it will amaze you to see the difference lighting over the sink makes. You can see clearly as you wash the dishes and double up a great nightlight for anyone coming home late.
Why not leave a light on over the sink to illuminate nearby countertops so that you can read a recipe or chop vegetables without cutting yourself?
#5 Illuminate Cabinet Interiors
Cabinet lighting can do wonders to make a space seem bigger. For example, motion-activated lights will turn on when you open the cabinets. It provides a high-end feel and allows you to see exactly what’s in each one.
With automatic lights, you also won’t have to worry about running down the batteries; they switch off by themselves.
#6 Maximize Natural Light
Maximizing the natural light entering your kitchen does more than you might think. Instead of closing up with blinds on your windows, you could hang sheer curtains that you can open during the day. People, pets, and indoor plants benefit from daily sun exposure, and the kitchen space is no exception.
#7 Decorate Your Table
Any lamp on your table will mimic the feel of an intimate bistro, where anyone will feel joy in sharing a meal with family or staying up late to swap stories. A lamp that’s too big will look out of place, so pay attention to the size as you’re shopping. But once you find it, the right table lamp will provide your small kitchen with a soft glow that lights up a game night or aids tired eyes in putting together a jigsaw puzzle.
#8 Keep Light Hues Consistent
Modern light bulbs come in different touches of warmth and brightness. Since light bulbs never burn out all at once, it’s easy to end up with a kitchen full of different types of bulbs. However, mismatched light bulbs will sometimes have the overall effect of being too dark in some areas and too overpowering in others.
If you want to prevent making the space look disjointed, install the same light bulbs throughout and keep a few spares handy of the same type.
#9 Increase Light With Reflective Surfaces
While many prefer matte paint finishes in the kitchen, utilizing reflective surfaces the right way can increase the appearance of light in a small space. Shiny countertops or glossy paint might seem like unusual choices, but they’re perfect if you want to make your space feel bigger and brighter. It also adds a personal touch to your kitchen for a more inviting space.
#10 Less Lighting is More
In a small kitchen, less is more in every sense. Busy decor and multiple lamps clutter the space, so maintain clean lines and keep extra light sources to a minimum. You might also want to avoid bold cabinet colors because while these feel like an extension of your personality, they can also stifle a smaller kitchen space.
Instead, choose lighter colors for walls and cabinets, and add pops of color with decor, such as a lamp or LED strip lights.
Custom Kitchen Remodeling at a Fair Price
There are several ways to add lighting to your small kitchen, such as choosing to install LED strip lights, a countertop lamp, or mood-enhancing candles. And if you replace blinds with sheer curtains, you’ll feel inspired to let in enough natural light during the day to elevate the space and your mood.
Have your small kitchen lighting ideas evolved into a total kitchen remodeling plan? Go Pro Handyman Services can handle all home additions with unmatched customer service. Fill out our online form or call 916-668-5318 for a free estimate from our licensed and insured general contractor in Folsom, CA!