Choosing the perfect chandelier for your kitchen

Modern kitchen chandeliers amaze with a variety of colors and styles. Lighting is an important part of every design. The right lighting is able to make your kitchen cozy, comfortable and nice. Here you can get to know what you need to take into consideration when choosing kitchen lighting and how to choose the perfect one in accordance with the kitchen design.

Types of chandelier designs

Suspended chandeliers: one or more plafonds, fixed on a cord, chain or string. A lamp with a shade is a traditional option for a kitchen. It is usually hung over the table and, as a rule,this is enough for a small kitchen. The plafonds of the suspended chandelier can be made of glass, plastic, fabric and even paper. The variety of shapes and designs makes this type of chandelier almost universal.
Ceiling chandeliers: ideal for a small kitchen with the low ceiling. The plafond of such a chandelier can be translucent (matte) or completely transparent. There are both normal white and colorful models. The shape is usually strict, geometric (circle, square), but there are also unusualdesign variations: models that resemble a crown, a tree, a flower orfigures that are even more complex.
Another type of chandeliers is classic. Such chandeliers look luxurious, they are distinguished by refinement and elegance in combination with chic and pretentiousness.

Chandelier Styles

Classics – such chandeliers are exquisite and elegant, they are always popular, their form is suitable for kitchens designed in classical and country style. You can find forged classic chandeliers, models with glass elements, hanging chains, a common option – imitation of a candle;
Modern – is a universal lighting, which is suitable for kitchens designed in a minimalist or classical style, as well as in a cozy chalet or elegant Scandinavian style. Ceiling chandeliers designed in the modern style have restrained colors, simple shapes and discreet originality;
Candelabrums – now they are often made of such available materials as plastic and glass, although the traditional material for chandeliers is crystal. Such chic chandelier is appropriate for the kitchen made in the Modern, Chalet, Classic or Provence style;
High-tech / techno-chandeliers of this type are more often ceiling than suspended. They are made in cold shades and in strict, graphic geometric forms. As for the materials, as a rule, it is metal, plastic and glass;
Flower chandelier has an elegant and beautiful design, decorated with branches, flowers, leaves. It can be made of metal, wood, can contain elements of glass and plastic. A floristic chandelier is suitable for kitchen made in the style of Provence, country or classic;
Tiffany – luxurious chandeliers are made of glass and decorated with stained glass or mosaic (from pieces of colored glass). Tiffany chandeliers harmoniously fit in kitchens designed in the classic, tiffany or country style;
Loft – these kitchen chandeliers imitate streetlights, they are made in a deliberately rough style, sometimes with vintage motifs. This is an excellent solution for a loft, country and Scandinavian style kitchens;
Minimalism – strict chandeliers without bright decor, characterized by laconic geometric shapes and a restrained color scheme. Minimalist lamps are suitable for kitchens in Scandinavian style, as well as for high-tech and loft kitchens;
Eco-style – simple chandeliers made of natural materials (wood, paper, fabric). Wicker models look nice and interesting. For the design of these chandeliersbranches, dried flowers, leaves, small stones, can be used. This chandelier will fit into the kitchen interior made not only in the eco style, but also in country, Provence, classics or ethno.

Comfortable kitchen lighting – how to create?

Chandelier in the kitchen is not just a source of light, but also an element of decor that creates a cozy atmosphere. The kitchen should be light and comfortable, that is, both the working and dining areas should be well-lit.

Using chandeliers with adjustable lighting modes are an excellent opportunity to save energy and use lighting as much as possible;
Lighting in the room should be comfortable for eyes: too bright or dim light is tiring for eyes. On average, the norm of illumination in the kitchen should be as follows: 12-40 Watt per square meter (incandescent bulb), 30-35 watt per square meter (halogen bulbs), 8 watt per square meter (fluorescent bulbs);
The darker the kitchen interior, the more powerful bulbs are needed to illuminate the room;
If the kitchen is large, then it is worth giving preference to a multi-pendant suspended chandelier, for small kitchens, a ceiling or one-pendant chandelier is suitable;
You can zone the room using lighting. You can hang the chandelier over the table, and illuminate the work area with spotlights. If the kitchen and dining room are combined, it is reasonable to install two chandeliers (or a chandelier above the dining area and spotlights above the kitchen): the chandelier above the dining area should be larger and more visible than in the kitchen area;
In the modern kitchen design you can do without chandelier: the area above the bar can be lit with a stylish wall lamp, the working area can be illuminated with hidden ceiling lamps.

Which bulb to choose?

There are several types of bulbs, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Halogen bulbs: these bulbs serve for a very long time, but they heat up quickly, they are expensive, and their disposal must be carried out in accordance with certain rules;
LED bulbs: expensive, but they are durable, economical, diverse (in terms of color) and very practical (they do not heat up, they serve for a long time and can be used both for lightings and as independent light sources).
Incandescent bulbss: their advantages include low price, pleasant warm light, availability, disadvantages – a relatively short lifespan;
Fluorescent bulbs: the advantages of such bulbs are bright light, which can be tiring for eyes; in addition, sometimes fluorescent bulbs noticeably “blink” because of voltage drop;

The choice of the bulb depends on the material from which the chandelier is made, the style of the kitchen design, and your preferences (not everyone, for example, like LED lighting) and financial possibilities.

Materials of kitchen chandeliers

When choosing a chandelier, keep in mind that the lower it is hanging, the better should be materials, parts and accessories from which it is made. A low-hanging chandelier should be perfect both from the outside and from the inside. If it hangs high, then you should notbuy a model made of expensive materials. For example, a crystal candelabrum can be replaced with a candelabra made of glass or even plastic;
Chandelier in the kitchen should not splotch easily – glass or plastic models are preferable to fabric models;
Wooden chandelier should be varnished;
Choose those chandeliers that can be exposed to washing with a soapy water. Paper lamps are the most impractical: they can not be cleaned without damaging. In addition, such chandeliers, as a rule, are quite large (so that the paper is located at a sufficiently large distance from the lamp), which is suitable not for every kitchen. Another disadvantage: paper lamps give off the diffuse light – this is not the best option for kitchens, although they look quite good;
Forged models must be cleaned from dust very often: in their bends, curls and joints, dust accumulates constantly;
Ceiling chandeliers of simple geometric shape made of glass or plastic are perfectly suitable for the kitchen: they are easy to care for.

Chandelier and size of a kitchen

The chandelier should harmoniously fit into the kitchen space not only in style, but also in size.

For a small kitchen or kitchen with low ceilings, the ceiling chandeliers are suitable.
Long suspended chandeliers with small shades are perfect for narrow kitchens, they will give the room a stylish look, while the light bulbs will allow evenly illuminate the entire space;
Large kitchens and classic chandeliers, massive suspensions, crystal candelabra are created for each other. Ceiling chandeliers can also look harmonious in large kitchens. An interesting option for a spacious kitchen will be a multi-level model: a luxurious chandelier or a classical chandelier made of crystal and metal, as well as glass or wicker spheres or an elegant floral model;

Suspended and ceiling chandeliers, glass and forged, laconic and chic – different chandeliers can create a special atmosphere in the kitchen; make the room higher and brighter or, on the contrary, to create the atmosphere of mystery and coziness.