Kitchen islands and peninsulas are the undisputed protagonists of modern domestic spaces as they offer a functional, versatile, and visually appealing workspace. The island, in particular, represents an element of great flexibility, providing space for cooking, washing dishes, eating, and even working. The peninsula, on the other hand, connects to one wall of the kitchen, creating an additional work surface and a sense of continuity with the rest of the environment.
Both can be used to create a seamless transition between the kitchen and other areas of the house, such as the living room or dining room, promoting a sense of spaciousness and connectivity.
These two configurations are increasingly popular among those seeking to optimize space and create welcoming and functional environments. Illuminating these kitchens is also a unique challenge that requires careful planning and an expert eye. If you are a designer, an interior designer, or simply looking for information on lighting your modern kitchen, here are some tips that may be helpful.
Factors to be considered for kitchen island lighting
When planning lighting for island and peninsula kitchens, it is essential to consider several factors:
Size and shape of the island/peninsula: the choice of lamps and their placement will depend on the layout of the kitchen.
Kitchen style: lighting should be in harmony with the style of the decor.
Functionality: the kitchen is an environment where it is essential to ensure good visibility during daily activities such as meal preparation and cleaning. Therefore, lighting should be functional and well distributed to avoid annoying shadows on the work surface.
Aesthetics: in addition to functionality, lighting should harmoniously integrate with the overall design of the kitchen. Lights should be chosen based on the style and personality of the surrounding environment, contributing to creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
Flexibility: consider the possibility of adjusting the light intensity according to the different activities carried out in the kitchen. A flexible lighting system allows you to adapt the environment to specific needs, ensuring visual comfort in every situation.
Energy saving: from an environmental sustainability perspective, it is important to choose eco-friendly lighting solutions that reduce energy consumption and overall environmental impact.
So, considering these factors, lighting serves various functions:
Functional lighting: ensures the necessary light for working safely and carrying out daily activities.
Atmospheric lighting: creates a cozy and comfortable environment, defining the style of the kitchen.
Decorative lighting: enhances the architecture and design elements of the kitchen.
Specific lighting for different work areas in island kitchens
The choice of lighting for island kitchens must be careful and personalized, taking into account the different work areas, their functions, and the style of the decor. Let's explore the various types of lighting based on the specific zones of the island kitchen.
Illuminating a kitchen island hob
The combination of recessed LED spotlights and pendant lights offers the best possible lighting for the cooking area. Recessed LED spotlights are a modern and versatile solution for uniformly illuminating the cooking area of an island kitchen, especially if you plan to install an extractor hood. The hood could cast shadows on the cooking area, and in this case, LED spotlights or mini LEDs help distribute light and combat any shadows. They integrate seamlessly, creating an elegant and minimal look.
Another interesting option for illuminating the cooking area of an island kitchen is pendant lights. They should be positioned at a height of about 80-90 cm from the hob to avoid obstructing visibility. Pendant lights provide focused and direct light, ideal for precise activities such as cutting or chopping. 9010novantadieci offers many models of pendant lights with a minimal and elegant design equipped with adjustable cables, allowing you to customize the height according to your needs. In addition to these tips, it is important to consider the ceiling height, the arrangement of other kitchen furniture, and the style of the environment to create a harmonious and impactful lighting. And if the house has exposed beams, discover lighting ideas for a house with exposed wooden beams from 9010novantadieci.
Illuminating the worktop of a kitchen island
The worktop of a kitchen island is the area dedicated to food preparation and proper lighting must be provided to ensure safety and functionality above all. Here again, pendant lamps, positioned at least 80 cm from the worktop, are a functional and versatile solution for even lighting. Evaluate both the height of the ceiling and the colour rendering of the lamps. If the ceiling is low, opt for compact, height-adjustable pendant lamps or recessed spotlights. Regarding colour rendering, it is good to choose lamps with a CRI ( colour rendering index) of more than 90 for a realistic colour vision.
If the preparation area has a false ceiling, evaluate the possibility of lighting it with recessed spotlights or dimmable LED profiles to adjust the light intensity. LED profiles can be installed underneath the wall units or integrated into the edge of the worktop for precision lighting.
Illuminating a kitchen island sink
Correct lighting of the kitchen island sink is essential to ensure comfort and safety during daily activities. Direct and diffuse light must be provided in this area. Recessed LED spotlights are a solution for directing light where it is most needed; under-cabinet LED profiles are perfect for illuminating the sink from below, creating a soft, atmospheric lighting effect.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to light the sink from the side, you can consider installing wall sconces or an LED-illuminated shelf, which in addition to creating light effects can also be used to decorate the area with design objects.
In addition to these work areas, it is also important to consider the general lighting of the kitchen, especially if the kitchen is an integral part of the living room. In this case, lighting should be designed to be consistent with both the style and design of the kitchen island and the style of the living room. Also try to use lamps of the same material and style. If you are looking modern living room lighting, find out our tips about living room lighting.
9010novantadieci designs and produces LED lamps with simple, clean lines for a modern, minimalist look, innovative and patented materials such as Cristaly, which are highly resistant and versatile.
With well-designed lighting, the kitchen island will become the true heart of home, a place to cook, work, eat and be together in a comfortable and functional environment.