Welcome to Eurolux Pty Limited importer and distributor of light fittings and light sources in southern africa. We offer outstanding quality, choice, and an extensive range of lighting solutions. Our unique lighting experience showrooms offer your company or home energy saving lighting throughout the southern tip of africa.

:: Lighting Your Kitchen

Lighting Your Kitchen

There are five main types of lighting to consider for a kitchen:

• Central lighting, including downlighters

• Track lighting

• Under-counter lighting

• Lighting cupboards (inside, and from the outside in)

• Pantry/Scullery lighting

Central Lighting

The biggest advantage of a single central light fitting is that it should be easy to clean.

Remember that without an extractor fan, your light fitting would get dirty as a result of condensation and general dust. If you don’t have an extractor fan, then avoid glass, perspex and glossy fittings. Rather use fluorescent fittings or downlighters.

The greatest disadvantage of a central light is that it will cast a shadow over your work surface, because the light source will be behind you. To overcome this, position downlighters above and angled towards work surfaces.

Track Lighting

Track fittings are quite popular in kitchens. The effect is similar to that of downlighters, but the advantage is that you do not need to incur high installation costs.

The track consists of a flexible cable which can be redirected at any angle although it cannot be curved. It can be installed from room to room, across ceilings of varying heights (including down stair wells), as well as being able to run down walls or columns.

Light fittings are attached onto the track wherever you need them. For instance, you may want spots above kitchen work surfaces and a pendant above your breakfast nook, or you may want to match the floor lamps in your adjoining lounge with your kitchen fittings (particularly if you have an open-plan kitchen).

Under-Counter Lighting

The advantage of under-counter lighting is that you can switch off the central fitting and leave on the under-counter lighting to create a soft ambiance in the kitchen. This is ideal if your kitchen is used for entertaining or if it’s a room where your family like to congregate and chat.

There are two types of under-counter lighting, depending on the effect you want to achieve:

• A fluorescent light will give a cool, broad pool of light and is excellent for lighting up work surfaces

• A downlighter will give a warm ambient light which creates an appealing atmosphere – be aware that you cannot mount this under a cupboard containing perishable items because downlighters generate heat.

Lighting Cupboards

There are two types of cupboard lighting:

1. Outside

Lighting a cupboard from the outside in, so when you open the door you can see the contents. Use adjustable downlighters fitted around the perimeter of the kitchen units, or on a track system. Remember that the larger the cupboard and the higher the ceiling, the further away your lights will need to be.

2. Inside

Lighting inside a cupboard is used to display contents such as crystal glasses, ornaments, crockery, sculptures, etc. Position the downlighter inside and at the front of your cupboard – not towards the middle or back of the cupboard or it will create shadows.

Pantry/Scullery Lighting

The pantry and scullery are functional rooms. Lighting needs to be bright but not harsh. Consider using spotlights, since the light can be directed to exactly where it needs to be.