Neglecting Ambient, Task, Accent & Decorative lighting would be like walking out of the house
without make up!

Applied properly and the beauty and function of your new kitchen or bath, will look its very best. Kitchen Lighting is an artistic Punch! Designers at Signature Kitchens, Additions, & Baths describe the four different types of lighting necessary for your design and remodel to be all it can be.

You've just signed a retainer to remodel your kitchen. Your hopes and expectations are high. You'll spend a lot of time with your designer selecting kitchen cabinets, granite or Silestone counter tops, appliances whether GE or Gaggenau, as well as kitchen flooring. Neglecting kitchen lighting would be like walking out of the house without make up! Kitchen lighting should be functional, serious cooks' demand superior lighting. Beyond function the lighting should add safety and drama. Yes drama by enhancing your décor and setting the mood. Kitchen lighting should be planned with the kitchen design, bath lighting with the bath design, not as an after thought.

The size of and how you use your kitchen are very important in determining how to light it. If you have a small narrow galley kitchen you may only need some general and under cabinet lighting. If you have a large kitchen and it opens into your family room you may want to consider adding in cabinet lighting, above cabinet lighting, and other fixtures that compliment the family room. Do you eat or entertain in this space? Then we want to make the lighting as comfortable and attractive as your other living spaces.

Ambient Light

General lighting which fills the room. The source can be a series of recessed or a surface mounted fixtures. The key is to this type of lighting is to recognize that it is only the backdrop and therefore it ought to be inconspicuous.

Task lighting

Placing light where you need it to do the work of cooking, cleaning, storing and yes entertaining. Under cabinet lighting is very good task lighting it illuminates the working section of your counter top directly and without shadows from above. Always run the under cabinet lights down the entire length of the cabinetry to provide even lighting.

Other task lighting examples include a recessed spotlight over a sink, or range. Island task lighting might be art glass pendants. You can also add in cabinet lighting, think of how much time you would save searching for that special ingredient if you could only see the back of the cabinet! Install a separate switch for task lighting do not include task lights on the ambient kitchen lighting circuit. Using multiple switches and dimmers adds to task lighting ambience and drama.

I would like to make an appointment to discuss kitchen lighting.
Call 301.251.1880 or contact us at:

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Signature Kitchen Cabinets

- Sam & Donna M. Testimonial

"To the entire crew at Signature Kitchens, Additions and Baths - We are so Happy with our Home Addition. The kitchen design and our new kitchen cabinetry have simply been transformative.' Each and every one of you has been a real joy to work with throughout the entire process and the workmanship and professionalism is outstanding. It's nice to know there are still companies like yours in business who put the customer and quality first."

Accent Lighting

Often the most overlooked kitchen lighting but always the most dramatic. Accent lighting draws attention to a particular element of the kitchen so don't over do it. Pick one or two features of your kitchen, or bath for that matter, which are truly special. Accent just one or two ideally the ones which are to you the character of your kitchen. Accent lighting can include above cabinet lighting and some interior cabinet lighting. These methods can add lovely dimension to your kitchen design. In cabinet lighting can be provided by very small recessed lights that direct light down through glass shelving. Another method could be using a small track around the inside front of the cabinet. There are some wonderful tiny LED fixtures that do this beautifully. Above the cabinet lighting is great for rooms with higher ceilings, especially if you place decorative items upon the cabinets. Linear mini tracks, fluorescent tubes and rope light are typical ways to light up this space.


Decorative Lighting

While accent lighting draws attention to an illuminated object or surface, decorative lighting draws attention to itself. A tiffany chandelier is an historic example of decorative lighting. The aforementioned art pendants are both task lights and decorative lights. The two primary uses for decorative lighting are attraction and distraction. For example pair of elaborate glass chandeliers calls your attention, at which point you are consumed by the drama of the barreled ceiling they hang within. The pendants call your guests attention, taking their attention away from the clutter on that very island.

Sue Hulse, American Lighting Association Specialist, Allied Member ASID

Signature Kitchens, Additions & Baths

Every designer has had specialized training in Kitchen Design, through NKBA, SEN or ASID, not only in style and structure, but in function and arrangement as well. Unlike our neighbors we are not a retail store we are a design build remodeling company, a licensed contractor in Maryland, The District of Columbia and Virginia. So whether you live in DC, Bethesda, Potomac, Olney or Silver Spring, or Woodley Park, Adams Morgan or Capitol Hill. Even if you live in Fairfax or Alexandria we at Signature Kitchen Additions & Baths can not only Design a Great Kitchen, Addition, or Bath we can develop permit-able drawings, process the plans to permit, move the walls, floors and ceilings or add an addition, install your new kitchen, along with the lighting, the plumbing, the tile, and the floor. Heck, we can build the house for you if you would like! So give us a call at: 301.251.1880 you will always be glad you did. You can also email the owner Gary Case at: Gcase@signatureKAB.net.