A well lit kitchen creates a mood that is like no other, makes the space in your kitchen look larger then it is, and creates an environment that is welcoming and easy to work in. No matter the style of your kitchen; traditional, transitional, or contemporary, there are many different ways you can increase lighting in your kitchen. You can add natural light options, add new lighting fixtures, or you can incorporate both.

If you desire natural lighting the options are quite simple. Remodeling your kitchen by adding skylights is a great way you can increase light. Adding natural light not only looks welcoming but will help you save in energy cost.

More obvious ways to increase light in your kitchen is to install new light fixtures. There are many options when it comes to light fixtures. The idea is to use light fixtures that speak for themselves, not to add just any basic light fixture. A good idea is to install light fixtures under your cabinets to shine on your countertops. Doing so creates an ideal workspace and looks very appealing. Updated light fixtures are a great option as well. Remove outdated ceiling lights and add new ceiling mount light fixtures to add flare to your kitchen. Adding ambient lights on top of all the other options available will set the mood and will be a great way to add to your kitchen’s design as well.

No matter what lighting options you incorporate into your kitchen; natural light or new lighting fixtures, create a statement and a welcoming environment to work in. Not only will your kitchen become a wonderful place to work in, but you’ll be creating a pleasant space for visitors to gather to enjoy great food, drinks, and laughter. What will you do to increase lighting in your kitchen?

Choosing kitchen colors

Spending so much time in our kitchens it is important that we create a beautiful energy with color in our kitchens. Much of our day we are cooking because we eat several times a day. Even if you’re one to eat and run and are one to cook with little time, you’re still going to enter your kitchen to make a cold beverage, to peer out the window, to wash dishes, and to do other committed kitchen duties we all have day to day. No matter your living situation a positive energy should be created in the kitchen because we are in and out of our kitchens throughout the day.

When I was a young girl my parents let me have at the house with choosing paint colors for our home. Sure I shared the task with my siblings, but my kitchen was special. We chose our kitchen to be a country yellow. Our kitchen consisted of many windows and was a decent size but still not quite considered large. Painting our kitchen a country yellow made our kitchen look larger and created a quality of freshness being we had many windows. Still to this day, I love yellow kitchens, light in yellow or bright in yellow.
You may not prefer a yellow kitchen so I would like to provide you a few tips of reason when picking paint color for your kitchen design. Start with fabric color swatches in all colors and tape them to your wall. What color do you feel best about in looking at your colorful swatches for your kitchen? The color you choose is where you start. Depending on the choice, a warm or cool color, the next step is to look at different colors in that range of color that made you feel the best about your kitchen. Another great idea is to visit different home décor websites or locations and look at their sample kitchen designs that offer the range in colors you feel best about. No matter what color you chose, have fun and take your time in the color you do chose for your kitchen design.

Okay, the ‘60s-era avocado colored refrigerator may have become a clich?, but there’s more to kitchen color than various shades of white or subtle wood stains. I’ve been blogging about changes occurring in the American kitchen, and we’ve been seeing a few big trends really transform what people want and homeowners expect. Read more…