Brighten Up your KitchenThe kitchen is the hub of the modern American household, and it's important to have a good mix of lighting sources in this multi-purpose room. With a little planning and a few expert tips, you can illuminate your kitchen with lighting choices that are not only functional, but also decorative, colorful and stylish.
Ann Kennedy holds a B.S. in Environmental Design from Ball State University and has more than six years of experience in kitchen design. She has been with Expo Design Center for two years, and endeavors to create truly distinctive rooms by including new products and design trends in all her projects. Here she offers some practical and beautiful kitchen lighting solutions:
- Recessed lights over sink & stove.
Recessed downlights provide well-diffused general lighting. They provide adequate task lighting for cooking and cleaning, so they're a great choice for installing over the stove or sink.
- Slim lights under cabinets.
It's essential to be able to see well as you work on the countertop, so you'll want to put lights under the cabinets. Slim energy efficient designs can provide just the right light while remaining out of sight.
- Pendant lamp over island.
A pendant lamp over a kitchen island or peninsula can add a bold design statement. Adding a mood-controlling dimmer switch is also a good idea.
- Chandelier over table.
If you want to add dramatic focus and set the tone for the room, consider a chandelier over the breakfast nook or kitchen table.
For more about lighting and home design, check out the following websites:
Expo Design Center
www.expo.com
The Home Depot
www.homedepot.com | 
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