How to organize lighting in a kitchen with a stretch ceiling?

Lighting recommendations

A number of design and practical tips, taking into account the peculiarities of the kitchen and stretch ceiling:

• When choosing light sources, attention should be paid to the decoration of the kitchen. Surfaces in light colors reflect the luminous flux by 80%, while dark claddings - by 12%.
• For a kitchen space made in soft colors, it is better to give preference to appliances with warm light. Backlighting in cold shades can contribute to distorting the environment, especially if the interior is decorated in blue, sand, gray, green or yellow colors. The best option is neutral white lighting, which will not change the space.
• Since a modern stretch fabric is made of pvc film, which begins to melt at a temperature of + 55 ° C, you need to choose lamps with a certain lamp power. Conventional incandescent lamps up to 60 watts and halogen models up to 35 watts are suitable. LED and fluorescent lamps have no power limitations.
• Models of luminaires for stretch ceilings with incandescent lamps or halogens should not have shades directed upwards. As this will lead to heat, fading and deformation of the web.
• With a lack of lighting, you can think of a universal scheme that includes different types of lighting - central, wall, point and decorative.
• It is desirable that the light sources match the size and style of the kitchen interior. Devices that have the same shade solution and are made of identical material look harmoniously.

Lighting options

There are several types of functional lighting in lighting design.

Spotlights

Such small devices have a low light scattering angle and are excellent for arranging in groups using both parallel and series connection schemes. Stretch ceiling with spot lighting provides convenient illumination of a specific kitchen area, for example, a work or dining area.

Due to this type, you can achieve uniform or accent lighting of the kitchen and create any shapes on the ceiling in the form of lines, circles or ovals.

Spotlights are non-rotatable and rotary, overhead or recessed. Such light sources can be easily mounted in a stretch fabric, as well as in walls, niches and furniture items.

The photo shows the design of a small modern kitchen with a matte stretch ceiling with built-in spotlights.

Chandelier

The most advantageous option for a stretch ceiling. The chandelier is the starting point of the light composition around which the rest of the lighting is built.

Thanks to a wide range of chandeliers, they are installed not only in classic kitchen interiors. Original lamps of the correct or irregular shape are also found in styles such as modern, hi-tech, minimalism, French Provence, retro and others.

Most often, in the kitchen, the chandelier is located in the center of the stretch ceiling. In a spacious room, the luminaire can be displaced. For a rectangular kitchen space, it is best to use an elongated chandelier.

In the photo there are pendant chandeliers on a two-level stretch ceiling in the interior of the kitchen.

Decorative lighting

Stretch ceiling with contoured LED lighting not only has a stylish and unusual look, but is also considered a less energy-consuming way. Such additional lighting will especially effectively emphasize the multi-tiered ceiling structure.

The original design solution is a stretch fabric with a light pattern made of LED strip. Thus, it will turn out to give the interior of the kitchen unusual and achieve partial lighting. The cornice lighting looks no less interesting, creating the impression of a floating ceiling.

In order to create an effect on the ceiling plane, such as a starry sky, a burning flame or aurora borealis, optical fiber is used. The unique light composition will look amazing in the dark.

The photo shows an example of lighting a kitchen with a stretch ceiling, decorated with LED lighting.

Spots

The spot system consists of several luminaires, which can have a different number of lamps and, depending on the type, fully illuminate the space or highlight only certain areas.

Due to the possibility of adjusting the luminous flux, the spots create bright and contrasting or, on the contrary, diffuse and strictly directed lighting. Compact, functional and safe lighting fixtures perfectly complement the kitchen design and create the necessary atmosphere.

Spots can be suspended, overhead or built-in, differ in laconic, sophisticated or industrial design.

The installation of track spot systems is quite popular. The main advantage of these models is the free relocation of the fixtures, due to the convenient movement along the busbar.

In the photo there is a white stretch ceiling with lighting in the form of black spots in the kitchen design.

Examples of location by zones

To illuminate the dining area, it is appropriate to equip a suspended ceiling with a pendant-type chandelier. The luminaire can have a beautiful translucent glass shade or a plastic shade of a spherical, rectangular, round or conical shape. It is better to choose a convenient structure with the ability to adjust the length of the suspension. Thus, when raised high, the lamp will create a bright and solemn light, and when lowered, it will create a more homely and comfortable atmosphere in the kitchen.

A good option is to install several small light sources at an equal distance from each other above the center axis of the dining table.

Due to the light, you can achieve the desired color temperature in the room. The cooking area should have the most natural light with a cool tint. For the dining room, dining segment and living room, chandeliers or spotlights from which emanate a softer and warmer glow are suitable.

In the photo, the zone lighting of the working and dining area in the kitchen with a stretch ceiling.

The area where the worktop, sink and hob are located must be provided with sufficient lighting for comfortable cooking. The light should fall evenly and not create shadows and too bright spots. To do this, it is recommended to give preference to ceiling lamps with LED bulbs. LEDs are more reliable, durable, and inexpensive.

The work area is also often supplemented with fluorescent lamps in the form of a cylindrical straight tube. Such lighting is mounted in the cornice of the headset, placed under the upper cabinets or in the lower panel of the structure.

The photo shows the interior of the kitchen with a combined stretch ceiling with a chandelier and spotlights.

What kind of lighting to choose for a small kitchen?

For a small kitchen with a low stretch ceiling, the installation of a chandelier or spotlights is suitable as the main lighting option.

Lighting devices located in several rows will visually raise the ceiling plane and endow the kitchen atmosphere with weightlessness. To erase the boundaries of the kitchen space, you can use the lamps with reflectors. To, on the contrary, it is beneficial to emphasize the shape of the room and visually expand the room, they choose the organization of lighting around the entire perimeter of the stretch canvas.

The photo shows the lighting of a small kitchen with a glossy stretch ceiling.

In a small space, it is inappropriate to install too voluminous and bulky light sources with a lot of decor. It would be most correct to use recessed LED luminaires or spots. The kitchen assumes the presence of diffused lighting, which contributes to a visual increase in the area.

In the photo there is a two-level stretch ceiling with spot lighting and pendant lamps in the interior of a small kitchen.

When choosing pendant lights, it is advisable to give preference to models with a shade that will be located as close to the ceiling as possible. Devices with a downward luminous flux would be a good solution.

In the photo there is a kitchen with a matte stretch ceiling, equipped with built-in lamps.

Photo gallery

Lighting significantly transforms the atmosphere of the kitchen and emphasizes the beautiful design of the stretch ceiling. The lighting fits perfectly into the overall stylistic concept and transforms the interior into a single harmonious concept.