Smart solutions are appearing more regularly in all rooms of the home, but particularly in the kitchen. Gavin Williams, Hamilton Litestat’s Marketing Manager, discusses some of the trends towards lighting functionality and control in this key space.
For a number of months we’ve seen the increasing use of smart lighting and audio control within residential projects, and especially in the kitchen environment. The function of this space has changed, evolving from solely a meal preparation area to a multi-functional space and the hub of the home. The kitchen/diner has become more open plan and is now an area for entertainment and relaxation.
Lighting design has been a greater consideration in the kitchen during recent years rather than being an afterthought, with the increasing use of smart controls to effortlessly convert the space from one function to another.
Lighting schemes
For example, when preparing food, a specific lighting scheme ensures that bright LEDs are focused on the work surfaces for precise tasks such as knifework. Then, with a flick of a switch, or the swipe of a button, the lighting can be transformed for relaxed dining.
With the option to create multiple lighting scenes, popular tasks can have their own settings – such as children doing homework at the breakfast counter, or reading in a comfortable chair.
Personalisation
Additionally, with a DMX option, an RGB colour wash works as accent lighting to highlight key features, or can be used throughout the space to make it a more relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for guests. Full personalisation means that the lighting can be adapted to any time of day, occasion or mood.
The focus on customisation and aesthetics makes control panel and plate design important. The homeowner is more tech- and style-conscious and we’re experiencing greater movement away from standard fittings and a significant growth in the 24/7 use of app control.
