In today’s kitchen and bath, lighting is no longer the forgotten element of design. Instead, technology advances and lifestyle trends are converging to increase the use of light layering in these rooms and throughout the home. While it may sound complicated, light layering – the use of ambient, task and accent lighting in combination – can be as simple as 1-2-3.

Kichler Lighting’s Corporate Director of Education and Industry Trends Jeff Dross explains that ambient, or background lighting, is the first layer used to brighten a room. Layer two is task lighting, or light focused on particular surfaces or areas to increase visibility, work efficiency and even safety. The third layer is accent lighting, which can accentuate and add beauty to a space while often meeting nighttime navigation needs. Light layering is easier now than ever due tomthe recent availability of affordable, small-profile LED lighting that allows the fixture to remain invisible and the light to make a statement.

Pendants, chandeliers, and ceiling-mounted lights are often used to provide ambient light, while under-cabinet lights such as Kichler’s new Design Pro LED Modular 2.0 system and track lighting are ideal for task lighting. For accent lighting, Kichler’s Design Pro LED Linear system features a string of remarkably thin LED light “pods” that hide within any application and easily bend around corners and tight spaces such as inside a bookcase, around a cove, within a toe-kick, inside a tray ceiling, above kitchen cabinets, and a variety of other areas.

“I like to think of accent lighting as the jewelry of room lighting,” Dross says. “It’s in the area of accent lighting that technology advances are making an enormous difference. In today’s well-lit home, traditional and new technologies such as these work together.”

No two kitchens are alike, and their lighting plans shouldn’t be either, Dross notes. Not only should homeowners consider how the fixtures will be used, but how often. Dross suggests remembering that infrequently-used lights may not need to be energy-efficient, but lights that are left on all day or night should be. Traditional incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights can still be a great option, while the new compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and LEDs provide the best technology for lighting that is used for long periods of time.

“LED lighting options from Kichler now offer homeowners unmatched flexibility when it comes to kitchen lighting design,” Dross says. “These award-winning products emit a high-quality of light and superior color rendering, all in an energy-efficient package.”

Kichler is a world leader in decorative lighting. The Kichler® Lighting brand encompasses more than 3,000 products, including chandeliers, wall sconces, bath lighting, ceiling fans, under cabinet lighting, landscape lighting and lamps and accessories. Kichler products can be purchased at independent lighting showrooms nationwide. View Kichler products, as well as interactive electronic catalogs, at www.kichler.com.

Join Kichler in discussing the latest lighting products and trends on Twitter and Facebook.