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We’re putting lighting, one of the unsung heroes of KBB design, in the spotlight this month. What are the latest developments in lighting for the kitchen and bathroom? And why should designers view it as a lucrative and pivotal element of the overall function of the design?


Words: Francesca Seden T


he lighting in a kitchen and bathroom can make or break a design. It enhances the functionality of a space, can add atmosphere, and it can offer a focal point in the form of a statement pendant. The lighting market


across kitchens and bathrooms is being driven by innovations in smart lighting, energy-efficient COB (chip-on-board) strip LED lighting, often featuring


user-controlled CCT (colour correlated temperature


functionality), or lighting which allows the user to change the intensity. With the increasing popularity and convenience of mobile apps and


voice control, smart lighting is an area that is rapidly growing within the KBB sector. “It offers flexibility, energy savings, and personalisation,” says Sensio’s managing director Michael Linsky, “and it’s likely to continue to evolve to a point where it becomes the standard in most modern kitchen and bathroom designs, offering a seamless blend of practicality and style.” Flexible COB (chip-on-board) LED strip lighting is another growing


innovation in the lighting arena because of its many applications. It can be used in cabinets, in niches, under cabinet plinths and even within the grooves of wood panelling. The design possibilities are almost endless. When it comes to approaching the lighting scheme, our contributors


identify three essential types – task, convenience and mood, as well as statement lighting, which helps to establish the desired atmosphere and provides a focal point. Jane Hensey, national sales manager at SycamoreLED advises designers


to divide the scheme into zones and to make sure you know where the power will be in each section. “Then you can look at what type of lighting you want in the main scheme,” she says, “For example, undercabinet lighting, strip lighting and any internal lighting in cupboards or drawers.” Jake Loughlin, category manager lighting and electrical at Häfele, advises that designers should approach both the kitchen and bathroom with a whole-space lighting concept in mind. “Consider ambient, task and accent lighting in combination to cater to


the homeowner’s needs,” he says. “Then pick the necessary products that bring the design to life. Do it this way, rather than picking a certain lighting product and making the design work around it, and you’ll ensure the design works for the customer’s unique needs.”


Task and convenience lighting When planning in task lighting, it’s essential to think carefully about where


it’s most needed and try and eliminate shadows as much as possible, to ensure that the full area that needs light is fully illuminated and that the light is bright enough to perform tasks effectively. The integrated lighting in cooker hoods is also important for cooking, and while we’re not covering cooker hoods in this feature, as it’s not part of the lighting design scheme exactly, it does deserve mention. That said,


November 2024


increasingly, people are moving their hobs away from the wall and onto a central island, and may well opt for a downdraft extractor, rather than a typical hood. Appliance brand Novy has spotted an opportunity here and claims it is the first appliance brand to offer a range of standalone lighting options, Pendant, Wall and Shelf, “which provide our kitchen partners with valuable add-on sales”, Novy marketing manager, Jenny Nalborczyk says. Task lighting in the kitchen should typically be around the worktops and


sinks, while in the bathroom, lighting around mirrors and the shower area, should be considered. Of course, technical/safety considerations need to be made, such as ensuring the IP-rating is correct for the area in which the lighting is to be used. A growing trend in this area is the integration of motion-activated lighting, for cabinet interiors, under cabinets, and inside drawers. This is also referred to as convenience lighting by some. TLW’s marketing manager Eleanor Johnson adds that slat wall lighting is a growing trend that offers a stylish yet unobtrusive option in both spaces, while adjustable CCT lighting remains popular for tailoring light to specific tasks. Task lighting normally takes the form of LED strip lighting and directed


spotlights in the kitchen, and strip lighting and illuminated mirror cabinets in the bathroom. As technology advances, lighting options are also being extended to the loo, with brands such as Duravit offering a night light function on its SensoWash Stark F series, “where the bowl is softly illuminated to help prevent disorientation during the night, without interrupting the body’s sleep state,” managing director, Martin Carroll explains.


Mood lighting and ambience A badly lit room, which is too bright or too dark can quickly become irritating


and not particularly easy to live with, so creating a desirable ambience in the kitchen, and particularly in the bathroom is crucial to good design. To create the right atmosphere, designers should consider the interplay


between natural and artificial light and should ensure that their client has some control over setting that tone. Designers should consider using different lighting types and layering. Sensio’s Linsky comments: “Designers should also consider how the


> kbbreview 39


above Sonas Sansa mirrors are designed to enhance any bathroom’s lighting conditions by simulating the effects of natural daylight


Sensio’s Astro Pro Correlated


Colour Temperature (CCT) lighting allows a transition from warm to cooler temperatures


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