As in the main house kitchen, the immediate food preparation and cooking area needs sufficient illumination to allow the chef to see what they are doing from a health and safety perspective. Let’s be honest none of us like undercooked food and all that chopping and slicing with sharp knives needs good lighting.
For extra visual appeal, install pendant lighting over bar and serving areas. It's also a good idea to install lighting under cabinets, countertops, and inside lower cabinets where overhead lights don't provide great coverage.
Outdoor kitchen lighting needs to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. You need to be able to keep it clean, weatherproofed and available at the touch of a button. Consider mood setting dimmer switches for eating areas which together with lanterns and candles can create a soft, relaxing setting. Coloured lighting also enhances the kitchens features and can work with your decor and themes.
Link the lighting into the garden area, highlighting trees, plants, water features and stone work for a dramatic effect. This type of lighting looks good in all weathers, adding a magical relaxing haven and shows your outside kitchen area and garden at its best.
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Lantern |
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Ceiling Fan |
Installation for outdoor lighting will most likely require an electrician. Ask your builder, neighbours or friends for a good recommendation. Ask the electrician how they plan to calculate the load your lighting plan will use; more than one circuit may be needed and some appliances and lighting set on separate circuits. A professional can help you make the most of your outdoor kitchen lighting by ensuring it functions efficiently and safely.
Dee Lynston
You bring up some really good points. I wouldn't have thought of the safety issues of unlit walkways and steps. I also like the idea of including lighting in surrounding areas. It would be fun to flip a switch and have twinkle lights in the trees and garden. Lighting is not the first thing on my list when I think of creating an outdoor space like this but of course it's important. Half the fun of having an outdoor kitchen would be having night time parties. How about a fire pit or faux fireplace? That would add light as well as a nice atmosphere. Is that possible?
ReplyDeleteA fire pit,pizza oven,bread oven are easily incorporated into an outdoor kitchen.
DeleteA faux fireplace would be no problem with the construction of a false wall.Make sure
you mention all your requirements to your designer and be sure to use only
qualified contractors for any gas or electrical installation.
By the way LED lighting can be very effective
I'm going to look into LED lighting. The more I read about it the better it sounds, especially for an outdoor kitchen. As for the walk ways and garden areas, solar lighting makes great sense. From what I understand they would last forever and after the initial cost would basically be a free light source. I'm really excited about all the fun ways there are to expand your outdoor living space. We love getting the family together for birthday dinners etc in the back yard. And an outdoor kitchen would make things so much easier. Thanks for all the great tips!
ReplyDelete