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Lighting Kitchens Remodeling

brighten up a dark feeking kitchen

4 years ago

With the dark counters, heavy light fixtures, and Brazilian cherry floors, we are hoping to brighten up and modernize the kitchen by replacing the light fixtures. would brushed nickel fixtures look OK and help with that? any fixtures / styles that this group would recommemd?

Comments (5)

lafdr
4 years ago
Beautiful kitchen! I love all of the windows. I was expecting something much darker from your description. The simplest changes would be to replace the light fixture with something you love. I would also consider replacing the barstools as a relatively inexpensive and easy fix to something lighter in color and less bulky. Just those two changes will make a visual difference. I am not a big fan of black counters, but I would live with them until I decided if it was worth the expense to replace them, and might just live with them forever. They are functional and many people choose black counters.
cat_ky
4 years ago
Its a beautiful kitchen. I dont think changing the light fixture will make a difference. It has a lot of windows, and looks fairly light in the pictures. What I do notice is the lack of any type of interest in the way of color. That alone would brighten it up.
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I agree; the lightness the counters provide adds some nice contrast.
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Start by using brighter, warmer light bulbs. When we bought our house (Victorian, which tends to be kinda dark anytime that is not high noon), the previous owner left a bunch of dim, bluish cold-temp LED bulbs in the fixtures and the interior was dreary and dingy, especially after dark. We replaced with warm 75W equivalent bulbs and it was SO much better. So yeah, try some new brighter bulbs and pay attention to color temp - don't get the cool ones. Also, gray seems like a questionable paint choice for a windowless room... maybe post pics?
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A couple of things that I noted when looking at the space. One is that the lighting is all high overhead and backsplash is in a shadow. Can you add some under counter lighting? Some of the lights can be mounted and simply plugged into on of your outlets. If the microwave includes a surface light for the range turn it on. A good daylight lightbulb in the track will brighten things up. I like Cree brand 5000k lightbulbs, I know that sounds crazy, but each manufacturer describes their daylight as 5000 k , but that can really range from 4500 to 5500, so each one can be significantly different than another brand. Cree has the color I like and has a high CLI (Color rendering index). You will get less of a blue look and more of a look like you would expect to see at 2:00 in the afternoon. Adding light/bright colored decor. A few white or light colored objects or brightly colored objects set on the counter will break up all the brown.
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I like the color that you have in there now, however, the room, needs a bit of color. Blues, turquoise etc accessories. I do like a rug in a kitchen, especially in front of the sink. I like the one you have, but, I do not like it in your kitchen, the pinky color clashes with everything else. Change out your light bulbs, to daylight type bulbs, 3500 or 4000 if you need brighter light. Your lighting looks a bit yellowy. Your countertops are fine. If changing the backsplash is in your budget, then, that would bed ok, but, if not, it will be fine.
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mxk3 z5b_MI
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I agree -- your kitchen is beautiful! And not dark. Look how the red candle on the counter jumps out in your pic -- as was suggested above, add more color!
Kara Loraus
Original Author
4 years ago
thanks all, perhaps it less about it being dark and more just 'heavy' feeling because of the fixtires and dark counter tops. we are moving into this house and I think I am just used to the lighter wood and fixtures of our current house. I appreciate all of the ideas!
PRO
Stacey Hermann Designs
4 years ago
I think you should replace the light fixture -- it is a bit outdated. Jazz it up a little https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/shop-lighting-chandeliers/killian-linear-chandelier/090516.html#start=1

This chandelier looks more current but still allows you to see through it. And the black ties in the countertops. It is a GORGEOUS kitchen! Best of luck!

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