Top Kitchen Lighting Design Trends for 2013

When you are entertaining, it should not  come as a surprise that you will always end up gathering in the kitchen. After all, being the heart of most households, the kitchen is where people naturally feel comfortable.

If your home is like most, a variety of tasks are done in the kitchen, from cooking to socializing to homework. As one of the most frequented rooms  of the home and the place for family bonding, a well-lit and inviting kitchen would be a worthy investment. Achieving the right look does not mean spending so much for a big and expensive chandelier over your kitchen table, though. Today, it is all about applying lighting in well-planned layers. Here are this year’s hottest trends in kitchen lighting design.

Pendants. Usually decorative in nature, pendants like the Vicentina 3 Light Pendant by Uttermost cast decorative pools of light and, depending on the particular design, make wonderful sources of both ambient and task lighting. But one of the most prominent trends today is using mini pendants like the Mossa 1 Light Mini Pendant by Uttermost in rows over kitchen bars or islands in lieu of the traditional kitchen island light; and with the wide variety of pendant styles available today, you really can never go wrong.

Under cabinet lights. Standing alone, under cabinet lights might not be much aesthetically,  but they can make all the difference in your kitchen lighting scheme, breathing new life into your backsplash and countertops. They are particularly appealing if you have already invested in renovations. Because they illuminate countertops, under cabinet lights are also a great source of task lighting. They are widely available in energy efficient options.

Foyer lights. Homeowners usually choose antique lantern-style pendants like the Vitalia 3 Light Pendant by Uttermost on their foyers for their open design and rustic charm. They cast an inviting and widespread light so it should come as no surprise that foyer lights are making their way into kitchens everywhere. They look gorgeous over tabletops as a stylish alternative to the island light or chandelier.

Track lighting. More than any room in your home, the kitchen requires sufficient lighting. In particular, overhead lights can help to fill in the gaps and ensure that your kitchen is evenly lit. Because of its versatility, track lighting is growing in popularity as an overhead lighting source in the kitchen. It is available in energy efficient options and will allow you to position each light to fully customize your overhead light and put the focus on the areas most needed.