Lighting plays an important role in the design of any apartment, performing the function of zoning and decor at the same time. Lamps above the bar counter not only allow you to focus attention on a stylish piece of furniture, but also provide a comfortable stay for guests and household members. Modern design techniques allow you to experiment with the general concept of the room, bring your wildest fantasies to life, making your home a real work of art. Bar lamps are presented in a wide range by Russian and foreign manufacturers, but choosing the right lighting fixtures correctly is not as easy a task as it might seem at first glance. Experienced experts will help you understand the classification of lamps and advise current options for designing a bar counter.
Depending on the style of the room, lamps above the bar counter can be compact or large, discreet antique or bright, attracting attention.
Lighting as zoning
Bar counters in the kitchen came to domestic apartments from America, gaining enormous popularity among the population. This design is a kind of luxury item, making the room more glamorous and fashionable. Thanks to different configurations, the structure was able to fit even in the smallest Khrushchev building. Moreover, it provided housewives with additional space for storing kitchen utensils, drinks and food. As for the studios, here the bar counter solved the zoning problem. When combining the kitchen and living room, the division of space is very important, especially when autonomous zones are allocated: work and guest. Each of them needs full lighting, because one chandelier and sunlight are very few for a spacious room.
Pendant lamps are the most successful option for individual lighting of each area in the kitchen.
Before starting the repair, you should decide on the location of the lamps, since after finishing work it will be difficult to move the wiring and sockets. In addition, it is important to know the location of the shadow so as not to stand with your back to the light source. This may cause some inconvenience when cooking. Soft diffused light is more suitable for a recreation area. These can be floor lamps, sconces with matte shades, or just a chandelier in the center of the room.
The work area should be well lit, so give preference to spotlights along the apron and built-in lamps in open shelves. Above the table, pendant lamps and halogen lamps would be appropriate. The LED strip along the perimeter of the ceiling looks very impressive. If the structure is suspended and made of plasterboard, the effect of a “floating” ceiling occurs. To zone the space, you can also equip a podium, that is, raise the kitchen area in the apartment. Just note that the height of such a structure should not exceed 20 cm, otherwise the risk of injury will increase. Lamps can be installed along the podium.
Lampshades or shades above the bar counter should accentuate this main area of the kitchen
How many lamps to use
The first question that arises when organizing lighting above the bar counter in the kitchen is the number of light sources:
- Single is considered in demand among designers. For example, a ball-shaped lamp will look beautiful in an interior decorated in a retro or modern classic style. In addition, a single lighting fixture is lightweight and easy and quick to install;
- A double lamp allows you to play with lighting, for example, if you place it at different heights from the tabletop, you can advantageously illuminate the space;
- Three or more lamps are appropriate for lighting a bar counter in a spacious kitchen. The light is diffused and soft.
A composition of 3 or 5 lamps will be more convenient, especially if each can be turned on separately. But more often such lighting is done from an aesthetic point of view. Usually these are pendant lamps located at a height of 75-90 cm from the tabletop and at the same distance from each other, but not more than one meter, 15 cm from the edge of the furniture. The bar counter lighting will not be the only source of light in the kitchen, so when choosing the number of lamps, both the power of the central chandelier and the amount of other lighting are taken into account.
Lamp location
If you want to add sconces, they are mounted on the wall at a height of 1.7-2 meters from the floor, slightly higher than the head of a sitting person, so that the light does not blind the eyes.
Bar counter lighting
In the kitchen, a bar counter is very often used as a dining table, and much less often as a bar. Indeed, this cozy place attracts all guests and household members, even when there is a separate dining room. In this case, it is worth remembering that fluorescent lamps distort the original color of the food, creating a bright blue light. Psychologists say that this causes a feeling of fear and anxiety, so such lighting devices are in no way suitable for the kitchen. Otherwise, the lighting of the bar counter can be very diverse. Let's look at the main types of lighting.
- Spot lighting is the most common option, which is characterized by direct light entering the desired area. Typically, halogen or incandescent lamps are used, which are mounted in the ceiling or in the top panel of the bar counter without taking up space. Such lighting is especially relevant in rooms with low ceilings that need to expand the space. Lamps for the bar counter can also be rotatable, making it possible to set the lighting angle.
- Hanging lamps have a great advantage: their height can be adjusted thanks to a special suspension. They are attached like a chandelier to the ceiling or to a panel made of chipboard or MDF. The type of lighting depends on the choice of lampshade: a transparent one can illuminate a large area, but not as brightly as an opaque one. In the latter option, the light will be concentrated in one specific place. If you wish, you can do without a lampshade and simply hang a lamp, if the overall style of the kitchen allows it.
- Track lights for the bar counter are very suitable for a high-tech interior, making it even more original and cosmic. These are energy-saving devices that move on a conductive busbar. It is noteworthy that the buses can be flexible, which allows you to change the backlight configuration. Such lighting fixtures can often be seen in offices and government agencies, which is why the most common tire colors are black and white. Track bar lights are a great way to showcase your creativity and creativity.
- Spots are lamps that are mounted on a metal bracket. Thanks to the rotating mechanism, such bar lamps easily change the lighting angle. The design can be represented by any intricate shapes: arc, semicircle, zigzag, etc. This item is very suitable for modern interiors - loft, minimalism or modern.
- A bar chandelier is an expensive and sophisticated decorative element made of crystal. Typically, the color of the fittings ranges from light gold to silver and contrasts very effectively with black surfaces. However, such bar lamps are not very practical to use, because they are fragile and require careful care.
Spotlights create direct light over the area over which they are located
Functionality and features
A high and narrow table with original chairs on long legs “modernizes” the interior and adds dynamics to it. In apartments it is not installed for its intended purpose - it is used not only for conversations over a glass. The bar counter can be:
- A full table. This option is suitable for a small kitchen and a small family. In this case, the dining table is simply not placed, and family members eat at the bar counter.
- Additional work surface. When guests are seated in the living area, it is convenient for the owners to cook while chatting with friends.
- Additional wardrobe. There are models of bar counters with blank walls, inside of which you can place a storage system for kitchen utensils.
For a large studio kitchen, an appropriate option is to have both a bar counter and a dining table. You can gather your family around the table, and the bar counter serves for a quick breakfast or snack. In addition, many mothers note that it is convenient to feed the baby at a high table.
But the most important purpose of the bar counter is space zoning. It is both physically and thematically the boundary between the dining area and the living room. To emphasize the division of space into two zones, designers use various techniques: multi-level floors (the kitchen and bar counter are located on the “podium” just above the living room), multi-level ceilings (the border runs just above the bar counter), arches or crossbars on the walls, and most simple – different wall designs. You can also lay out the floor in the kitchen with tiles or laminate, and lay a carpet right behind the bar counter - this will further emphasize the boundaries of the zones.
Neon lights
The luminous bar counter, photos of which are presented on the website, is a novelty by modern designers. Previously, such a design could only be seen in nightclubs and bars, but today it is possible to admire it at home. The LED strip can be placed anywhere on the bar counter. In addition, it will not fail even if several lamps burn out. You can adjust the lighting using a special control panel. Glowing parts can be of different colors and shapes at the request of the customer. Neon tape easily creates fancy patterns and inscriptions. In addition to the spectacular decor, such lighting can provide good illumination of the workplace. It can be mounted into a countertop, facade, top panel, etc. An illuminated bar counter will become the highlight of any interior, attracting the admiring glances of guests.
The LED strip is easy to install, hardly noticeable when turned off and can have different shades of light.
Self-installation
The complexity of installing a bar counter depends on its design. It is easiest to build free-standing models, for example, wall or island.
If we are talking about racks standing by the window or continuing the headset, a specialist is usually invited to carry out the installation. This is due to the fact that the installation must be very precise and level.
Another important factor is the foundation. If the stand stands on one support leg, then even a beginner without experience can handle the installation: the whole task is to attach it to the floor. If cabinets and drawers are hidden there, and soon household appliances will appear in general, it is better, again, to entrust the matter to a professional.
Some craftsmen even make the entire stand with their own hands. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this process, since the furniture consists of only two parts - the base and the tabletop. But the degree of beauty of the resulting object greatly depends on the level of skill of the specialist.
Lamp design
Bar lamps, as well as the lighting of any of the studio areas, must correspond to the overall design of the apartment. This applies to both the stylistic concept and color scheme. For example, in a kitchen in a rustic Provence or country style, bar chandeliers, fragile and elegant, will look completely ridiculous. In this case, it is worth choosing lamps with a wicker lampshade or made of rattan. LED lighting of the bar counter in a classic interior will also cause confusion among designers. Remember that each item should have its own place and its own setting.
Also pay attention to the practicality of materials, since it is difficult to avoid grease and soot in the kitchen. Give preference to lampshades made of plastic, metal, glass, which are easy to use and easy to clean. In the loft style, you can do without a cover at all and simply hang the light bulbs above the bar counter, especially if it has the shape of an island and serves as a full-fledged table. Hanging wires will only emphasize the casual street atmosphere. Bar lamps in a retro kitchen can be represented by pendant lamps with metal shades, but only in neutral shades. For high-tech, modern, and minimalist styles, a neon or LED strip is suitable, which can be installed around the perimeter or at the top of the bar counter. It will go well with chrome parts, newfangled appliances, and glossy surfaces.
Lamp shades can be made of wood, metal, glass or textiles - it all depends on the style of the room
A large room needs lighting in each zone. This is not only a way to divide space, but also saves energy in the future. As for a miniature kitchen, a bar counter can be a real salvation, eliminating the need to install additional lighting sources. It will be enough to illuminate the apron and bar counter - and there is no point in a chandelier. If the bar counter is a continuation of the headset, it is advisable to provide spot lighting for both structures at the top and bottom. Firstly, it is practical for the housewife (since the work area in this case is brightly lit), and secondly, it will visually combine two important elements.
A stylish, fashionable and spectacular interior is all thanks to the bar counter. It is the highlight of the room and a favorite meeting place for guests and family members. Properly selected lighting will not only provide a comfortable pastime, but will also make a bright accent on the main advantage of the kitchen.
PLACE LIGHT IN THE KITCHEN
Planning lighting for the kitchen - how many lamps are needed and what kind? How to arrange the lamps correctly to make it comfortable to work during the day and have dinner with your family in the evening? Quickly find what you need inside cabinets and safely use household appliances? Today you can’t get by with just one light bulb under the ceiling. You need a lot of light in the kitchen, and it should be different.
There is a lot of debate about whether it is possible to make a kitchen without natural light. I am a supporter of a functional approach to solving problems. If in your region it is possible to coordinate a kitchen without natural light and not plan the apartment differently, then we make a kitchen without the sun, but do not forget that great attention must be paid to artificial light.
The most important thing in the work is to achieve the optimal ratio of different lamps in one difficult space. And the kitchen is a complex and multifunctional space in a dream home. Here we cook food, do homework with the children, have lunch, dinner, receive guests and even work.
The lighting market is growing every day. When visiting world design exhibitions, I always admire new products. When it seemed that it was impossible to come up with something new, you are surprised by the endless possibilities of human talent and the capabilities of modern technology. Today you can make any desire come true. The main thing is to know what functional tasks need to be solved by lighting in the kitchen and what role light plays from a decorative point of view.
Minimum list of necessary light sources for the kitchen:
The list can be expanded if necessary. Its composition depends on: your desires, project design and capabilities. Do you need to do it like in the operating room? We increase the amount of general light on the ceiling. Do you want intimacy and comfort in the evening? This means we are planning only one antique lampshade above the dining table. Do you often go to the refrigerator at night? Plan for a small night light with a motion sensor.
Now let’s look at each item from the main list of necessary light sources in the kitchen separately and in detail.
GENERAL LIGHTING
General lighting in the kitchen is the usual ceiling lighting for the entire kitchen space. When you turn on the light and you can see the entire space at once, you can do general cleaning at 2 am.
I never use a chandelier (or other pendant lamp) for general lighting in the kitchen. This is a directional light with a specific decorative purpose. The chandelier and lampshade are intended for other purposes in the kitchen.
Petraitis Christina
I often use overhead lights with rotating elements in my projects. Simple shapes, laconic cubes or white cylinders are the most ideal shape for the kitchen from professional experience.
The main thing in the installation of ceiling lighting is to arrange the lamps evenly. Don't create dark corners and at the same time don't overdo it.
It is generally accepted that one lamp illuminates 1 square meter. This means that if we need to illuminate a 10 sq. m kitchen, we will need 10 built-in or overhead lamps.
My advice: carefully read all the technical characteristics of the lamps. Today, different manufacturers have very different bulb wattages and other important details.
The most common option for general lighting in the kitchen is lamps along the line of kitchen furniture. I like to arrange the light so that the person's work area is well lit.
The work area in the kitchen is the trajectory of a person’s movements along the line of the kitchen and between the vertices of the “work triangle”.
The most common mistake is to place the lamp close to the wall (for example, 50-60 cm); as a result, the ceiling of the refrigerator or the columns of cabinets will be illuminated, and not what is really needed.
If there are no wall cabinets, then you can place lamps on the ceiling so that they illuminate the working surface of the countertop. And in the area of high column cabinets, add separate sources of directional light.
WORK AREA LIGHTING
The second place that is essential for lighting in the kitchen is the countertop. The work area must be professionally and efficiently lit.
Illumination of the work area of the countertop is usually located under wall cabinets. Nowadays, every reputable kitchen manufacturer offers its own lighting options. The built-in lamps in the bottom of the cabinet look very decent.
STOVE AND SINK LIGHTING
The work surface should also include the hob and sink.
Be sure to ensure that these areas are well lit. Pay special attention to lighting if you do not plan to place a hood or wall cabinets in the kitchen. Modern hoods have a built-in light, you just need to make an electrical connection. But if you choose a modern hood that is built into the countertop or into the hob itself, then you need to come up with independent lighting for the workspace above the hob.
You can use a good overhead lamp, which we reviewed in the general kitchen lighting section.
If you are not planning wall cabinets, you need to think about local and high-quality lighting of the washing area.
The placement of a sink under a window, which is loved by many, will require thinking about good and non-standard lighting.
Source
Photo: bar counter lighting options
Video: how to properly plan kitchen lighting.
Features of using chandeliers depending on the size of the kitchen
Standard domestic kitchens are characterized not only by small sizes, but often by critically low ceiling heights. To create comfort and harmony in such a room, designers recommend focusing on the following recommendations:
If the ceilings are too low, it is better to completely abandon ceiling lamps in favor of small but stylish sconces. It is advisable to replace bright direct light in a small room with diffused light coming from several sources. For the visual effect of higher ceilings, light is used aimed at the white ceiling, as well as placing long lamps with soft light in the ceiling cornices. Hidden lamps visually expand the space, but emphasize the unevenness of surfaces
Therefore, when using this method of lighting, you should pay attention to the quality of the ceiling and walls. Photo: Original solution: three small pendant lamps above the sink
Photo: Original solution: three small pendant lamps above the sink
In the case of selecting a lamp for a kitchen with a large area and high ceilings, designers note an excellent opportunity not only to use any lamps, but also to combine them at your own discretion. Usually one or two pendant lamps are not enough for a large kitchen, so designers use several models for different areas: for example, a luxurious lampshade for the dining area and laconic lamps with diffused light for the work area.
A well-chosen pendant lamp is a guarantee of creating a cozy atmosphere there, conducive not only to cooking, but also to communication
To make the kitchen interior harmonious and stylish, you need to pay sufficient attention to choosing the lamp model that will highlight the dignity of the room
