The kitchen, lighting on the worktop
Light under the wall units, without cast shadow
Working in the kitchen with no dedicated light on the worktop means lighting yourself with your own shadow. Four hundred lumens per linear metre, no excess, no shortfall.
§ 01The principle
Without lighting dedicated to the worktop, the kitchen is unusable correctly. The light from the ceiling (central pendant) is masked by your own body when you work, and your shadow falls on the worktop exactly where you are chopping.
The solution, lighting dedicated under the wall units (between the wall units and the worktop). This lighting is below your head, so your shadow does not fall on the worktop.
Three technical criteria.
Intensity. 400 lumens per linear metre of worktop. Enough to see well without dazzling.
Temperature. 3000 to 3500 K (warm white to neutral white). 4000 K if you prefer a sharper white.
CRI. At least 90 (ideally 95). To accurately perceive the colours of food (see rule 02.4 on CRI).
400 lumens/m · 3000-3500 K · CRI 90+
Under the wall units, never on the ceiling.
§ 02Putting it into practice
The most effective system, the LED strip.
LED strip recessed or stuck under the wall units, along the entire length of the worktop. Homogeneous, economical, durable light.
Choosing the right strip.
Intensity. 600-900 lumens per metre of strip, then filtered by a diffuser (which reduces to 400-500 useful lumens per metre).
Temperature. 3000 K for a warm light of the halogen type, 3500 K for a more neutral light, 4000 K for a brighter light (sometimes too cool).
CRI. Minimum 90, ideally 95. Low-end LED strips have a CRI of 70-80, which gives distorted colours (vegetables appear dull, meat appears grey).
Brands to know. Soraa, Philips Hue, IKEA Tradfri, Paulmann. Quality strip, £25-70 per metre.
Installation.
Ideally integrated into the kitchen design (recess under the wall units). For an existing kitchen, stick the strips under the wall units (front face or underside), with a switch or motion sensor nearby.
Alternative, integrated spots.
Round LED spots (Ø 60-80 mm) integrated under the wall units, spaced 30-40 cm apart. More punctual effect than the strip, but more of a visual signature. Slight shadow between each spot.
What to avoid, the central pendant alone.
Without lighting dedicated to the worktop, the ceiling light is masked by your body. You work in your own shadow. A frequent error in 80% of amateur kitchens.
The complete system of a well-lit kitchen.
General pendant or suspension. Ambient light (see rule 02.1 on the three layers of light).
LED strip under the wall units. Functional light for the worktop.
Pendant above the island or table. Focused light (see rule 02.6).
Possibly indirect lighting in a plinth or at high level. Mood light for evenings (see rule 02.8).
In a small interior. The LED strip under the wall units is non-negotiable, even if everything else is sacrificed. It is the most profitable investment for daily kitchen use.
- 01Install an LED strip under all wall units
- 02Choose a light at 3000-3500 K and CRI 90+
- 03Provide a dedicated switch separate from the pendant
- 04Complement with general ceiling lighting
- 01Relying on the pendant alone to light the worktop
- 02A low-end LED strip at CRI 70, distorted colours
- 03Light too cool (5000 K+) that makes food unappetising
- 04Forgetting to light the hob and sink zones
§ 03Professional variations
Premium kitchen designers integrate worktop lighting into the very design of the kitchen, with integrated recesses in the wall units. Ultra-clean effect, no visible wire.
Pierre Yovanovitch sometimes works with two levels of lighting under the wall units. Cool strip (4000 K) for function (chopping, preparation), warm strip (2700 K) for evening atmosphere (aperitifs, dinner).
A trick, LED strip in the drawers. Opening sensor that lights the drawer when you open it. Practical, a quality signature.
Without dedicated light on the worktop, you cook in your own shadow.
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