Comment réussir l’éclairage dans une cuisine ?

Key idea

• Good kitchen lighting helps you see clearly to cook/clean and also makes the space inviting to stay in and eat.

Core lighting priorities

• Use natural light when possible (windows, skylights).
• When natural light fades, add electric lighting that’s both functional and (optionally) decorative.

Common mistake + fix

• Mistake: Putting a single pendant light centered in the room as the main light source.
• Problem: It can create shadows so the worktop and table end up darker.
• Fix: Create two dedicated lighting zones:
  • Worktop zone: direct lighting where you cook, prep, and wash.
  • Dining/table zone: pendant lighting centered over where you eat.

Direct vs indirect lighting

• Kitchens need direct lights (visibility).
• Living rooms typically use more indirect/diffused light to avoid glare and harshness.

Recommended layouts / fixtures

1) Worktop lighting (direct, focused)

• Best approach: spotlights under wall cabinets.
  • Note: if spotlights are positioned incorrectly (e.g., centered in the cabinet but not over the worktop), they mostly light the cabinet underside instead of the prep area.
• Alternative when no wall cabinets:
  • Use a light box with a spotlight centered on the worktop.
• Alternative to spotlights above the worktop:
  • Use wall lights to provide a more even, pleasant illumination.

2) Dining area lighting (cozier, focused)

• Use a pendant light centered over the table so you can clearly see your plate.
• To make it cozier:
  • Lower the pendant closer to the dining table for more concentrated light.
• Control:
  • Choose bulb color temperature and use a dimmer switch for both intensity and warmth.

Spotlights strategy (avoid harshness)

• Spotlights can be effective but may feel harsh.
• Guidance:
  • Avoid in bedrooms and living rooms.
  • Use spotlights only in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms.
• If installing along a length, positioning matters a lot.

Decorative + technical approach (examples)

• Even in a functional room like a kitchen, lighting can be decorative.
• Example technique for multiple pendants:
  • Use one cable outlet, then add a decentralization (multi-outlet) kit to power multiple pendants.
  • Choose decorative cables (even in different colors) for style.
  • Use porcelain opaline-style bulbs that provide diffused white light to reduce glare/shadows.
• Aesthetic tip:
  • Odd numbers of pendants often look better decoratively (e.g., 5 instead of 2).

Electrical planning tip

• Ensure the cable outlet is positioned exactly where the table/pendants need to be.
• If the outlet is off-center:
  • Use a decentralization kit and creative cabling to bring power to the correct visual alignment.

Notable locations / products / mentions

• Notable lighting materials/products:
  • Porcelain bulbs (diffused, dimmer-compatible)
  • Opaline glass shades (new electrical parts with old opaline glass for charm)
  • Decorative sockets (e.g., imitation terrazzo, gray-painted wood)
  • Decentralization kits (multi-outlet expansion from one cable point)
• Notable speaker/location:
  • Speaker: an expert presenting tips (channel brand referenced as “Optimism, my space”).
• Notable architectural features discussed:
  • Bay window, north/east/south/west natural light, and three skylights (kitchen extension previously a veranda).