fluorescent lights illustration
Fluorescent lights sometimes get a bad rep because people think of the commercial lights they see in retail shops that are bright and blinding. These lights often last twice as long or even longer than other lights do and help you keep an eye on all your ingredients and cookware while whipping up dishes for your family in the kitchen. While you can use fluorescent lights in any room of your home, you may want to check out some fun ideas for using those same lights in your kitchen.
Add a Cover
When you buy a new home, you might find that your kitchen has a number of fluorescent lights or a single light that provides light for the whole room. As that brightness can be a little overwhelming, you may want to tone down the light with a cover. Specifically designed to install directly over a light box, these covers come in some great designs that use metal and other materials. You can easily find a design that works with the style of your kitchen and one that will diffuse some of the light produced.
Choose a Ceiling Fan Combo
Whether you use the oven or stove when cooking, you know that those appliances can significantly increase the temperature of the room and make your kitchen so hot that you need to step outside for a few minutes. Installing a ceiling fan and fluorescent light combo helps you avoid that heat. These fans feature built-in light fixtures around the center of the blades, but some actually have lights added to the fan blades. Look for one that comes with a remote control, which well let you turn the fan on and off and adjust the speed from anywhere in the room.
Pick Smaller Lights and Shades
Looking for a shunted lamp holder and smaller shades that will work with fluorescent lights is a good way to keep those lights from overwhelming you and your kitchen. Smaller lights provide all the brightness that you need but won’t make the room look like a store. Companies now make fluorescent lighting systems that work like track lighting. These fixtures feature multiple lights on a rod that you can install on the ceiling. Though fluorescent light fixtures provide you with all the brightness and light that you need, you should look at some ideas for using those lights in your kitchen.