Talzine2015 Kitchenspecial En

2015 • ktichen special

kitchen lighting

2015

Introduction  Maybe, it is because of the introduction of the dishwasher into the kitchen, which ensures that the dishes are cleared up immediately after a meal. Or is it our hectic lifestyle that compels us to cherish cosy family moments such as having breakfast together? Or the popularity of numerous cookery programmes in which lots of tasty dishes are cooked in beautiful open kitchens? Fact is that the kitchen is turning ever more into the beating heart of our house and in new houses, this area often blends into the living room. Today, the kitchen is a full-fledged living area and the time that this room was a separate area hidden somewhere in the furthest corners of the house and completely out of the guests’ sight has long gone. The opposite is true: often, visitors are welcomed in the kitchen and the evening is started at the kitchen island where guests can sharpen their appetite with some lovely drinks and nibbles and if the host or hostess is confident enough, he or she might even surprise the guests with a small cooking demonstration. However, the kitchen is not only a meeting place for residents and their guests, it is also the central place in the house where the family comes together to eat and talk about their day and children can do their homework there while the parents are preparing dinner. Working, cooking, chatting and eating - all these activities require adjustable lighting. In this TALzine, we will explain in detail how kitchen lighting is best approached because, as we say at TAL, a house can become a home with the right lighting. Bon appetit!

Index  Kitchen lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P05 Lighting plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P07 Lighting according to areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P09 Lighting types. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P10 Types of lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P13 Lighting equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P14 Model kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P18 General lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P19

Lighting of worktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P21 Lig ighhtitinng of coo ooki kinng an and d washing area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P .P2 23 Mood lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P25 Cupboard lilighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P26 Architectural lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P28 Quality of light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P29 LED lighting in the kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P30

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Kitchen lighting  Nowadays, the kitchen is the centrepiece of the house and, as such, lighting in this room is hugely impor tant. Lighting must be practical and efficient but it should also create the right atmosphere and that’s why in the kitchen one always works with a combination of several types of lighting. In a nutshell: solid general lighting forms the basis and supports the general atmosphere. This basic lighting is complemented by accent lighting to highlight extra details or certain areas and to complete the design, you can choose some extra mood lighting. Open kitchens are very trendy nowadays and need additional requirements to the kitchen lighting. In this type of kitchen, lighting should ensure that the kitchen blends harmoniously into the rest of the house. The purpose should be to turn the kitchen into an inviting, cosy place to be.

TIPS » » » » »

Select for the specificatio n of the luminaires the same finishes as, for instance, the kit chen appliances (e.g. brushed stainless steel), this creates one harmonious whole. Different light sources on separate circuits can create a variety of atmospheres but do make sure that all switches are concentrated in one place or opt for a home automation system. You may also consider specific lighting positioning, i.e. for getting something out of the fridge in the evening. Make sure that you choose luminaires that match the atmosphere of the kitchen, e.g. square luminaires in kitchens with a sleek design. Also the luminaires’ material can boost the atmosphere, think for instance of ‘Black+Gold’ or copper (CU29) to make the kitchen extra snug.

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Virtual lighting simulation   Project picture

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Lighting plan  A proper lighting plan is indispensable for good kitchen lighting and it is highly recommended to call upon a lighting expert for this task. Start from the kitchen plan and divide the kitchen into different areas according to their respective functions. A properly lit kitchen should facilitate the preparation of meals, support the right atmosphere during meals and enable children to do their homework. With attractive lighting, the kitchen also becomes the ideal place to relax after a long day at work. Apart from the different activities for which the kitchen is used, the right lighting also depends of course on the size of the kitchen. For spacious kitchens, one always uses a combination of general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. When planning the lighting, you should also consider the colour of the kitchen. A dark kit chen, for instance, may require twice as much light than a lighter kitchen. A lighting expert can establish these values according to the colour and the reflection of light on cupboards, ceiling, walls and floor.

TIPS »

Kitchens are used for multitasking, make sure you have a flexib le lighting plan.

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Lighting according to areas  In the kitchen, we distinguish several areas with dif ferent functions. Always start with the basic lighting and combine it with other lighting types according to the function of the specific areas. No doubt, task lighting is the most important light in the kitchen but it should never be the only light as this would ruin the atmosphere. In fact, mood lighting is increasingly used because today the kitchen is part of the overall living area, in other words, the boundaries between the different living areas are blurred. Make sure that the (task) lighting has no blinding effect and that, particularly in the working areas, as little shadow as possible occurs as the lighting must ensure that you can work safely. Areas that require sufficient direct light are the food preparation area, the sink and the cooking range. Lighting above the kitchen island (or kitchen table) should above all be multifunctional as it is used for much more than for having a meal.

COMMON MISTAKES:

 An example of incorrect lighting

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Central downlights create unwanted shadows and can even be dangerous (cutting of fingers) The only lig hting is positioned in the centre of the room. Downlights with a narrow light beam above the food preparation area Only indir ect lighting

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Lighting types  Every properly lit kitchen is equipped with a combination of several types of lighting and every type has its own features and benefits. Some lighting types can be dimmed so that (with different lighting intensities) they can be used for various applications. This way, task lighting may already suf fice as basic lighting in a smaller kitchen, however, one single luminaire can never integrate all different functions. A good example: you can suspend a TAL 2U Lighting Profile above the worktop as task lighting, but this profile can also be used as general lighting. Thanks to the lower lighting intensities, you can make the kitchen a lot cosier by using a dimmable profile. This way, one profile can be used as general, task and mood lighting, however, the profile cannot be used for accent lighting.

Basic lighting

Task lighting

This type of lighting forms the basis of every lighting plan and makes sure that there is sufficient light everywhere so that everything can be seen and this way, people get a good overview of the entire space. Basic lighting is in fact an alternative for daylight, the main feature is that this lighting illuminates the whole kitchen. As a kitchen often holds sharp knives and other dangerous appliances, the lighting intensity must be sufficiently high. If you choose recessed downlights as basic lighting (for the atmosphere), make sure that these can be adequately positioned or that the downlights have a sufficiently wide light beam (> 36°). Also consider using surface-mounted downlights, which usually can be better aligned than their recessed counterparts.

This lighting is very important in a kitchen and supports all kinds of activities such as the preparation of meals. Proper task lighting is targeted on the object to be illuminated and should always be glare-free so that no disturbing or even dangerous shadows could occur so, here we must opt for diffused lighting. Always choose lighting with a good colour rendering (Ra > 90) as task lighting is an indispensable part of every well-considered lighting plan.

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Accent lighting

Mood lighting

Accent lighting is featured by a (narrow) beam (< 40°) and the light is concentrated within this beam. The width of the beam depends on the radiation angle of the light and is determined by the optic instrument (lens or reflector) in the light fitting. This lighting is ideal to highlight and emphasise an extra detail, such as an espresso machine, a design toaster, a lovely houseplant...

Mood lighting is used above all to create a pleasant atmosphere rather than lighting output, therefore, this type of lighting is often used in open and spacious kitchens. By using dimmable lighting and warm light colours, you can create a pleasant atmosphere that suits the atmosphere in the adjacent living room. Usually, indirect lighting (with the light source itself being invisible) is used as mood lighting as this type of lighting is not so bright and preferably dimmable.

The light is hard and sets a sharp contrast, causing the illuminated objects to be clearly depicted and shadows to be equally clearly visible. A mistake frequently made is that this lighting predominates so make sure that the accent lighting is well-proportioned. The purpose of this type of light is to highlight a few objects or specific areas in a subtle way and accordingly, it is better to use three spotlights of 400 lm than two of 600 lm.

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Types of lighting  DIFFUSED LIGHT

Diffused light is light that can be distributed in a ll directions. This effect can be reached by using a matt light source such as a fluorescent lamp, or by using a light diffuser such as matt glass or a matt, translucent plastic (PC or PMMA). A downlight with a very wide beam (> 70°) may in some cases also act as a diffused light source.

Features » » » »

E ven distribut ion of lig ht   Detail s are more difficult to detect  Often acts as basic lightin g and task lighting in the kitchen Shadows are soft  

DIRECT LIGHT

Direct light emits the light beam directly onto the surface to be illuminated e.g. the light has a direction. Mostly, a direct view of the lamp is possible, which may lead to glare effects that’s why often lower outputs are used. In modern lighting fixtures, the lamp’s position in the light fitting is slightly recessed to protect against glare or this can be avoided also by using a glare control ring or louvre.

Features » » » »

Details become much clearer It creates a more intimate atmosphere Cle arly defined shadows Highlighting of objects and areas

INDIRECT LIGHT

With indirect light, the light first reflects against a wall or ceiling. To achieve a good effect and an acceptable lighting intensity, the walls and ceiling must be finished in a light colour. To obtain proper lighting levels and effect, a higher light output is required.

Features » » » »

Widens the room optic ally, i.e. lighting above kitchen cupboards makes the ceiling look higher Creates a cosy atmosphere Softens shadows and contours Atmospheric basic lig htin g

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Lighting equipment  CEILING-MOUNTED LUMINAIRE

Domino

SUSPENDED LUMINAIRES (PENDANTS)

Ceiling-mounted luminaires are mounted directly onto the ceiling and emit direct, functional light. These appliances usually contain an integrated LED driver so that the luminaire can be directly connected to 230V.

Suspended luminaires have an important decorative function and should therefore be treated as such. These light fittings help to define the interior, both by their light and their design (and finishing). A suspended luminaire adds Luzien extra flavour to the kitchen and makes sure that a separate space can be created.

Always check if the ceiling is high enough because with a low ceiling, you will optically lower the room even more and also check that all cupboard doors can still be opened. A mistake that is sometimes made is to select only one ceiling-mounted luminaire in the kitchen and as a result, people have to choose a light source that is too bright to be able to illuminate everything with just the one luminaire, which in turn creates glare effects and devastates the atmosphere. Always try to distribute the light to the maximum extent possible by using several luminaires with a moderate light source. »

WALL-MOUNTED LUMINAIRES

These lighting fittings are used as wall lighting. Wallmounted luminaires are available with direct and indirect lighting and a beautiful effect is created with indirect lighting that sheds light onto the wall and, Dartling as such, creates a highlight. These light fittings ensure a subtle light perception and are very suitable for creating a sense of space and add a cosy touch to the kitchen.

Tip: Iit should not be possible to touch the luminaire with your arms stretched, otherwise, you will intuitively bend over when walking under the light fitting.

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RECESSED DOWNLIGHTS

3-CIRCUIT TRACK SYSTEM

Downlights are very popular as mood lighting, basic lighting and also as accent lighting. Often, these light fittings blend discretely into the interior, which is certainly true for trim-less variants, and they are frequently used in Intana modern interiors. Recessed downlights are available in various forms and with various types of finishing and must always be integrated into the ceiling. Some downlights are also available as surface-mounted luminaires, which allows continuity of design wherever recessing is not possible or to add another decorative touch. However, it is not recommended to light a kitchen with downlights only (with a narrow beam < 36°) because you would create a lot of shadow. Besides, you will have a properly lit floor and worktop but the walls (and cupboards) will remain rather dark plus the exclusive use of downlights will also narrow the room.

Particularly for renovation projects or in multi-functional kitchens, a track (or rail) system may be a very practical solution. The track can be used to relocate an existing power source so that  you have your light exactly Spina elbow track where you want or need it. The major benefit of a track system is that it makes it easy to adjust the lighting as both adjustable spotlights and suspended luminaires can be mounted on (one) track. Besides, it is also possible to control three different circuits through one track, ideal as an easy way to create different atmospheres.

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Tip:  Do not position downlights with a narrow beam above the food preparation area as they would create hazardous shadows.

LIGHTING PROFILES

Lighting Profiles are linear luminaires based on LED lamps (LED strips) or slim fluorescent lamps, making them easy to mount or to integrate them into a recess. Lighting Profiles can also be used along a wall, creating 2U a subtle wall-washing effect (e.g. on top of a splash wall) or concealed by integrating them into a recess, causing the light to fall discretely into the kitchen. Usually, Lighting Profiles can be cut to size so that you always have sufficient light in the intended position, highlight certain architectural shapes or to delineate an area with light. »

Tip: For a kitchen island, you’d best choose a Lighting Profile with the same length as the length of the table to create a nice, balanced unity.

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Directional recessed downlights as general lighting and for highlighting some additional details

Diffused lighting as task lighting above the food preparation area

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Suspended luminaires ensure a cosy atmosphere and create a separate area

Lighting Profile along the wall for functional wall-washing effect

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General lighting  The basic lighting may consist of different types of lighting. It may be a diffused light source or downlights when the atmosphere is the most important objective. Another possibility is to work with indirect lighting that is mounted on top of cupboards. If the kitchen is also used as living space, suitable suspended luminaires may also qualify as general lighting. Definitely consider LED lighting as well as it has the longest life span and is extremely energy-efficient. To create a pleasant atmosphere, it is always better to work with several light sources with a lower lighting intensity instead of using only a few light sources with a higher lighting intensity. Complementary to general lighting, a wall can be highlighted by indirect wall-washers or a number of well-positioned recessed downlights or recessed downlights with an asymmetric reflector. Obviously, the boundaries between general lighting and mood lighting are somewhat blurred here.

TIPS » »

Equip the basic lighting with a dimmer so that you can adjust the lighting intensity to your wishes. Indirect lighting on top of kitchen cupboards makes the ceiling look higher.

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Lighting of worktop  To have sufficient light while cooking, basic lighting does in most cases not suffice; for this, we need specific task lighting as well. The lighting of the worktop is very important and must be functional because cutting vegetables and fruit with a sharp knife, checking whether the frying pan has the right temperature, studying a recipe, cleaning the cooking pots... require the right lighting. Task lighting must be sufficiently diffused but at the same time it must be glare-free and offer sufficient lighting intensity. Larger surfaces therefore require several diffused light sources, or in one continuous line e.g. Lighting Profile.

TIP: »

Use fluorescent lamps or LED lamps with a good colour rendering (Ra > 90).

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Lighting of cooking and washing area  Obviously, lighting of this area is very important as well. When planning the lighting for this area, you should also consider the adjacent areas and their functions. In the cooking and washing area, you can work with downlights for a warm atmosphere or direct diffused light if this area is also used, for instance, for cutting vegetables. In some cases, it may be possible to mount the lighting below the top cupbo ards. Make sure, however, that this lighting is not too strong and that it is sufficiently diffused. The best result is obtained by mounting diffused, symmetrically positioned light sources against the wall emitting direct light to the cooking area and wall-washing the wall. (This wall must be sufficiently reflective.) Cooker hood lighting: there are many types of cooker hoods with integral lighting that sufficiently illuminates the cooking area. Be careful however because the quality of the integral lighting may vary considerably. When in doubt, you can always consult a lighting expert.

TIP: »

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Choose a Lighting Profile with the same length as the length of the cooking and washing area to tie everything together.

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Mood lighting  Mood lighting brings extra cosiness into the kitchen and can also support and/or complement the basic lighting. This lighting creates a cosy atmosphere in the kitchen when the rest of the kitchen lighting has been switched off. It is especially recommended for open kitchens because otherwise the whole kitchen would remain hidden in an unattractive, dark corner as opposed to the rest of the living area that is being lit. Mood lighting makes sense, particularly in spacious kitchens, as it may highlight a decorative element in the kitchen.

TIPS » »

Mood lighting can also serve as specific task lighting, e.g. for getting something out of the fridge at night. Make sure the mood lighting remains subordinate to the overall lightin g plan.

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Cupboard lighting  Cupboard lighting is available in two types, both with the same function: highlighting the content of the cupboard so that you can quickly and easily find what you need at that moment. The lighting may be built in into the cupboard but it may also be mounted at the ceiling or below the cupboard. Light in the cupboard can also act as mood lighting. Usually, a LED downlight (with a limited recessed depth) or LED Light Profiles are used here.

OVERVIEW DOWNLIGHTERS WITH LIMITED INSTALLATION HEIGHT NO INTERFERENCE WITH THE VAPOUR BARRIER: IDEAL FOR SUPER ISOLATED HOUSES

CUT OUT ROUND DOWNLIGHTS Min. Recessed Height

CUT OUT SQUARE DOWNLIGHTS

Fixture

Page

Min. Recessed Height

TRIMLESS

Fixture

Page

Min. Recessed Height

Fixture

Page

60

MINI HELAX 1W - 3W - 4,5W

60

57

40

129

MINI TOMMY 1 PASCAL

60 120

49

110 x 110

187

60

55

120

104

MINI TOMMY 1 TRIMLESS PASCAL

112 x 112

104

MINI TOMMY 1 TRIMLESS BEAUFORT

112 x 112

100

MINI TOMMY 2 TRIMLESS PASCAL

213 x 112

104

MINI TOMMY 2 TRIMLESS BEAUFORT

213 x 112

100

104

 55

57 4

60

B1 3W - 4,5W

40

128

60

 56

 56

120

MINI TOMMY 1 BEAUFORT

110 x 110

188

60

55

120

104

104

57 55

60

4

MACCHIA LUX M

40

128

MINI TOMMY 2 PASCAL

60

210 x 110

187

55

60

222,5 120

56

104

206,5

57

65

 63

HELAX SML TORSION

55

130

MINI TOMMY 2 BEAUFORT

60

210 x 110

188

55

60

222,5 120

 64

55 (70 for solid)

 53

HELAX SML LEAF

55

130

SIMPLON HALO TORSION

82

151

SIMPLON HALO LEAF

82

151

SIMPLON BEAUFORT TORSION

82

150

SIMPLON BEAUFORT LEAF

82

150

104

206,5

 64

98

55 16

78

55 �70 for solid)

98

16

78

40

45 92

TIPS

40

45 �60 for solid)

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Light in glass cupboards is both practic al and decorative. A disadvantage though is that the entire content is visible, which may be a bit of a problem if the area is prone to dust. A LED Lighting Profile at the bottom of a series of cupboards can be install ed over the entire length and be perfectly suited as mood light.

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Architectural lighting  The luminaires may be chosen in such a way that they highlight the architecture of the kitchen. Luminaires can, for instance, be positioned according to a certain pattern or Lighting Profiles can reiterate the shape of the kitchen for an extra architectural effect. By using LED lamps in such profiles, you give yourself plenty of freedom; it also makes it easier to create corners so that you can imitate the shape of the kitchen up to the smallest detail. When the lighting is completely integrated in the kitchen, it becomes part of the kitchen.

TIPS »

Always try to select luminaires that have the same design language as the kitchen itself.

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Quality of light  COLOUR TEMPERATURE

Light creates perception and therefore the colour of light is one of the major issues. Obviously, the most natural light colour is white but also white light is available in many shades. White light may, for instance, have a rather reddish or yellow or even blue tone. This tone is very important for our perception. Red tones are mostly associated with warmth and cosiness whereas blue tones appear rather cool, efficient and clean. The difference between all these tones is indicated by the colour temperature, which is expressed in Kelvin (K).

candle light

bright sunlight  

sunrise

1800K

fluorescent lamp

4000K

standard daylight  

5500K

8000K

12000K

16000K

2700K incandescent light  LED lamps, energy-saving lamps and halogen lamps have a colour temperature between 2700K and 6500K. The higher the colour temperature, the cooler the light appears. • Warm white: < 3300K (typically: 2700K & 3000K) • Neutral white: 3300K - 5300K (typically: 4000K) • Cold white: >5300K (typically: 6500K) For a kitchen with warm colours and a finishing such as wood, you should always use a light source with a warm colour temperature. This contributes to the cosy atmosphere and feel of the kitchen. By working with golden reflectors, the colour temperature of a light source can be reduced, which adds even more to the warm and cosy atmosphere. Cold light is suited when the kitchen is finished in rather cold materia ls such as corian and chrome. This is recommended if one wants to highlight the hygienic environment and clean look of the kitchen. In a (spaciou s) kitchen, you should never exceed a colour temperature of 4000K, higher colour temperatures would ruin the atmosphere here. The main benefit of a colour temperature of 4000K is that the textures of food are reflected perfectly. You can combine different colour temperatures to create certain effects or to highlight a material. Be sure to create clearly defined areas though. COLOUR RENDERING

Not all light sources reproduce colours in the same way as we would see them in daylight. In sunlight, we see the exact colours of an object. The colour rendering index varies between 0 and 100, 100 being the colour rendering of the sun itself, thus the best possible score. A high value (>80) indicates that the colours are well reproduced. A low value (