When developing the lighting design of a given room, pay attention to the combination of several light sources. Look how stylish and impressive sconces look in the kitchen interior.
Properly selected devices will make the surrounding space bright and impressive. All that remains is to find out how to choose a sconce specifically for your kitchen.
Place for sconces
Properly selected light sources will become your faithful assistant in zoning the space.
In the kitchen, attention can be focused on the work area (kitchen set) or dining area. You can also select a resting place, if you have one.
To achieve this goal, hang a chandelier above the table, and install two sconces next to it on the wall.
Built-in lights are useful when arranging the food preparation area. Also hang two wall lights above the sofa.
Local lamps are useful not only for zoning a room, but also for creating the most uniform lighting in a room, guaranteeing a comfortable stay.
This is especially true for spacious rooms. Sconces can be hung along one wall at an equal distance from each other.
If your kitchen is combined with a dining room, then additional lighting may be required above the cupboards and paintings. This will help to harmoniously combine two rooms into one, as well as correctly place accents in it.
Low ceilings are not the best option for installing a central chandelier. You can avoid it altogether by placing several wall lamps around the perimeter of the kitchen. Don't forget to highlight the eating area.
Remember: the light emanating from only one ceiling lamp will visually narrow the walls, so you should not use the chandelier itself in small and narrow rooms.
Even a couple of wall sconces will make the lighting as uniform as possible, which will visually increase the dimensions of the room.
Wall lamps can be used to illuminate paintings and photographs hung on the walls, as well as unusual decorative elements that you would like to place a special emphasis on.
If you have open shelves instead of upper cabinets, or if you prefer a single-level kitchen, then you can safely install sconces directly above the countertop of the work area.
You can also hang sconces above the bar counter, above the stove, or on the free sides of cabinets. There are simply a lot of places to install sconces, so you need to proceed from the individual characteristics of the kitchen configuration and personal preferences.
How to choose a sconce
Choosing sconces for the kitchen is not difficult in principle, but you need to take into account the style of the room
When choosing a suitable sconce lamp, you should determine the kitchen design concept and the purpose of the sconce. When looking for a suitable option for lighting a kitchen corner, any lamps with smooth contours and a pleasant pattern suitable for a specific interior are suitable. When using sconces for comprehensive lighting of the kitchen, it is advisable to choose the main lamp in the form of a chandelier, and purchase sconces similar to it and place them on all sides of the room.
Color and style
First of all, you should pay attention to the style of the sconce lamp and the possibility of combining it in color with the rest of the interior, as well as the personal taste preferences of the owner of the area for which suitable lighting fixtures are selected.
- Recently, smooth contours and classic design have been in fashion. The style of subcultures and exceptional design trends fade into the background, but do not lose their relevance.
A classic interior without sconces would be incomplete
- If a person is committed to various ornaments and ancient motifs, it is advisable to choose an option in a folklore style. Often these are ethnic styles, including motifs from the cultures of various peoples. Bright elements for lamps include lace lampshades, interesting decorations of lampshades using inlays of various stones on the sides, as well as adding brightness to the finishing materials by creating part of them from wood or painting a transparent element in an interesting, bright pattern, thanks to which the lighting is provided with a special shade.
- Sconces in the Art Nouveau style must have uneven contours and great functionality, so for this style it is imperative to purchase models with adjustable light brightness.
Modern - elegance and sophistication
- Country style is characterized by inexpensive materials; elements of wood origin are welcome. It is advisable to try to make the lamp monochromatic, since bright colors or patterns in this style do not make sense.
- The oriental style of sconces with hieroglyphs is currently almost the most popular among all sconce lamp purchases. They are often made to resemble home lanterns.
Oriental style always means small sconces instead of a central chandelier
- Minimalism provides for the simplest and most convenient forms, as well as a complete absence of decor.
- The high-tech concept provides for versatility, which can be achieved if you immediately choose a lighting device with all kinds of power adjustments and easy transfer from place to place, followed by reliable installation.
High tech – laconicism and clean lines
Indicators to pay attention to
It is advisable to choose sconce lamps whose body is made of traditional materials such as bronze, special plastic, wood or metal.
This will allow you not to worry about harmful emissions from new materials when you turn on the lamp. To add a touch of chic to your interior, you can choose a sconce lamp with a marble body.
When choosing a lamp, you need to decide on its purpose:
- Lamps with halogen light sources are hung from functional objects and places of residence of people at a distance of more than 20 cm, since during operation they heat up and give off excess heat to the environment.
- Fluorescent lighting must be equipped with a light filter, since without such protection it can lead to the destruction of the materials of the objects at which it is directed.
- LED kitchen lights under cabinets are most preferred in the interior. They are very convenient to use, but the clarity of the lighting will become moderate.
See how to choose a lamp, what you need to consider, tips from consultants:
Practical tips
If you want to create cozy and comfortable lighting, hang the sconces lower. But at the same time, the room will visually become smaller. If you hang the lamps higher and direct the light flux upward, the kitchen will seem more spacious.
Installing several wall devices at the same height and with a certain step from each other will also help to visually adjust the size of the room to a larger side. This will be especially relevant for narrow kitchens, the walls of which are painted with fairly dark paint.
To design your kitchen as harmoniously as possible, choose sconces and chandeliers from the same designer collection.
If you haven’t found a suitable set for yourself, you can choose different lamps that would be harmoniously combined in style, shape, color and material.
Materials
Modern pendant lights are made from different materials. They differ from each other in performance characteristics, service life and, of course, appearance.
Wooden appliances rank first in terms of environmental friendliness. Even during the heating process, such products do not emit harmful substances and are absolutely safe for the health of the whole family.
However, when purchasing such a lamp, we must not forget that it requires special care. Natural wood needs to be treated from time to time with special protective agents so that it does not dry out and lose its brightness of color.
Metal models are the most durable and durable. They are not subject to mechanical damage and physical wear, so they retain their presentation for many years. Point models are also made from this material.
The trend of recent years is considered to be original lamps, the shades of which are assembled from metal rods. They can have a simple shape or be a multifaceted design.
The most fragile, but incredibly elegant, are glass and crystal models. Crystal is more expensive, but its beautiful image justifies the price.
Only this material has a unique play of light during operation of the lamp.
Glass options are not only transparent. Recently, frosted products and products decorated with multi-colored stained glass have been in great demand. Such models are more expensive than simple colorless specimens and look much brighter.
Also on the lighting market there are spectacular copper, forged and even bronze lamps with pendants. Such durable and reliable models look impressive and expensive.
Light direction
The effectiveness of lighting design will largely depend on how correctly the lampshades are selected and where the light flux is directed.
If you choose lamps with solid shades that completely cover the lamps, they will emit a softer light.
If your sconce has diffusers installed only at the bottom, then the maximum amount of light will go to the ceiling and the top of the wall. This solution is suitable for those who want to create general rather than local lighting.
Lamps covered with a lampshade at the top will direct the flow downwards. Such lamps are suitable for creating lighting for functional areas. To prevent them from blinding your eyes, give preference to matte lamps.
There are quite a lot of sconces on the modern market with the function of redirecting the light flux up or down, through diffusers or a lampshade. This is a universal option for many, because it allows you to create both local and general lighting of the kitchen.
Design and materials
Ease of maintenance is one of the key requirements for lighting devices installed in the kitchen.
Refuse fabric lampshades, because it will be difficult to avoid droplets of fat and soot settling on them, which will lead to a premature loss of aesthetics and attractiveness.
Do you prefer wooden elements? Be sure to pay attention to the presence of a layer of protective varnish. Forged elements must also be coated with a special mastic, which provides reliable protection of the metal from soot and other contaminants.
Chrome or gold-plated, shiny brackets will show fingerprints. When exposed to light, various contaminants will be clearly visible. Consider the feasibility of hanging these sconces above your dining table or work area.
Classic models with glass, crystal or plastic are also not a suitable option for the work area. A regularly turned on hood will help you protect the surface of the sconce from grease deposits.
Opting for classic candle-shaped lamps. Choose matte lamps for them. They will not blind your eyes, but will create a soft light.
Lamps with shades in warm neutral tones are best placed above the dining table. Under this influence, your culinary masterpieces will look even more appetizing.
Transparent glass of purple or lilac color is not the best solution. Avoid them if you don’t want to worsen the appetite of your household.
Recommendations
To provide general lighting and visually increase the area of the room, choose a device whose edges of the lampshade are directed towards the ceiling. Lighting devices with a downward-facing lampshade produce a directional flow of light. They are ideal for lighting the kitchen, reading area or coffee table.
If you want to create an atmosphere of calm and tranquility, choose a model with soft, diffused lighting.
A suspended ceiling lamp in the form of a chandelier will look original, especially if you install several built-in lighting sources above it.
When choosing a pendant lighting structure, first decide on the material of the lampshade. It can be either transparent or not. The first option is ideal for diffuse lighting, and the second for directional lighting.
Special lamps with several pendants equipped with separate light sources will help to add lightness to spacious rooms.
Evaluate the energy efficiency of your favorite pendant lamp. It is better if its value is maximum.
Carefully inspect the device before purchasing, check the quality of the materials used for its manufacture. Remember that they must be environmentally friendly. This can be checked by asking the seller for a certificate of conformity and a hygiene certificate.
The purchase and installation of a pendant lighting device requires that the following nuances be observed:
- The material of the base and lampshades, as well as the number of light bulbs, must be taken into account in the design solution of the lamp.
- The materials used in the production of the lighting device should be easy to maintain and visually light.
- It is advisable to give preference to economical lamps.
- Having the ability to adjust the height will greatly facilitate the operation of the pendant lamp.
- The height of the lamp for the kitchen work area should be no more than 0.8 m from the ceiling.
If you're thinking about purchasing a pendant lighting fixture, the first step is to decide on three things: the pendant lamp's style, its size, and its color. The design of the light source should be combined with the style of the room as a whole.
Today, consumers are provided with a huge number of different models of lighting devices. A universal solution is considered to be a chandelier with crystal or glass pendants for several lamps.
Fans of originality should take a closer look at lamps with geometric shapes.
You can install suspended lighting structures yourself, without the help of specialists. To do this, just look on the Internet for the features of step-by-step installation with your own hands.
Recessed lamps
The power and type of lamps are also important selection criteria. For a 10-square kitchen, the optimal indicator is a luminous flux power of 120 W.
Incandescent lamps are the most optimal for the eyes in terms of their light spectrum, but they are too energy-consuming. In addition, they have a short service life.
Fluorescent cold-glow models emit too much brightness, which can be tiring for the eyes.
When thinking about which lamps to choose, transparent or matte, pay attention to the lampshade of the sconce.
If it has holes or slits, you can choose transparent models. Thanks to this tandem, original shadow patterns will appear on your ceiling and walls.
If the lamp does not have a diffuser, lampshade, or shade, then a matte lamp will be the best solution.
For sconces installed in the work surface area, lamps emitting a luminous flux in the cold spectrum are suitable, while it is better to illuminate the eating area with muted warm shades.
Looking for a place for pendant lamps
Pendant lights can be used in different rooms, where they solve a wide variety of problems, but they are easiest to place in rooms with high ceilings.
In the office, table lamps illuminate the work area, and pendant lamps act as general lighting and reduce the difference in illumination at night.
Pendant lamps look appropriate in the living room and dining room. You can use a lamp that will become the central element in the lighting composition of the room. Another option is to use a group of pendant lights.
Pendant lamps are placed above the kitchen table or peninsula. Their light is directed onto the countertop, which allows the “mistress of the kitchen” to comfortably prepare delicious dishes.
A profitable solution is to use single pendants instead of lamps on bedside tables. This approach will save space on the cabinets and will be interesting from a design point of view. In this case, it is necessary to choose the optimal length of the suspension so that there is enough light on the illuminated surface, and the lamp does not interfere with the placement of necessary things.
Optimal height
If you refuse a central chandelier in favor of sconces, then you should install them around the perimeter of the kitchen at a height of 1.7-2 meters from the floor. They should not be at eye level to avoid glare.
Plan to place the switch so that you can easily reach it.
When installing sconces above the chairs in the dining area, the height can be adjusted so that the device is slightly higher than the head of the person sitting.
Installation Features
It is necessary to select lighting devices and plan their placement around the room at the renovation stage. This is also relevant for sconces.
Two or even more cable exit points should be provided, depending on the design features of the luminaire.
Draw to scale on a sheet of paper or in a special computer program a three-dimensional model of your kitchen, marking all the installation locations of appliances, as well as their switches.
After completing the repair, you will no longer be able to hide the wires, which will not only spoil the aesthetic picture, but will also interfere with you.
If it turns out that you will come to install the sconces after the walls are completely decorated, cover the cables with special plastic boxes. They will, of course, remain noticeable, but they will not be as noticeable as the wires themselves.
How to install sconces with your own hands
Want to install a wall light yourself? Stock up on a wire of the required length, a hammer drill, a screwdriver, a drill, a hammer, a voltage indicator, as well as fasteners, in particular screws and dowels.
We perform several steps sequentially:
- mark on the wall the direct installation location of the lamp;
- assemble the sconce into a solid structure, as indicated in the instructions;
- turn off the power supply;
- mark the installation locations of the fasteners and make the corresponding holes for the bracket or plate included in the delivery set of the lamp;
- Install dowels into the holes and hang sconce fasteners on them;
- connect the cartridge to the wires coming out of the wall, using a tester to determine the phase and neutral cable;
- connect the remaining components of the lamp to the socket;
- check the functionality of the device.
After completing these works, all you have to do is make sure how stylish and impressive the sconces look in the kitchen interior.
Variety of pendant lamps
Pendant lamps are suitable for solving various problems. The term “pendant” characterizes the type of equipment, and the devices themselves can be a chandelier (both classic and modern), a single pendant or a group of pendants.
One of the main goals is to use a pendant light to provide general lighting. A properly selected chandelier can not only illuminate a room, but also give it a completely new look.
A wide selection allows you to choose a lamp in accordance with the interior design of the room. For an interior made in the Baroque, Rococo, and Classic styles with appropriate furniture, stucco molding and columns, lamps with decorative metal elements, classical ornaments, and original crystal pendants are suitable.
If the room is designed in a high-tech or minimalist style, you need to choose a pendant lamp in the appropriate style. The original shape, cool colors and strict elements are the distinctive style of such lamps. They will be an excellent solution for such interiors.
Lamp models made of metal and frosted glass with a strict, laconic shape will be appropriate in almost any interior.
When choosing a pendant lamp, you should take into account the natural light in the room and its color scheme.
