Outdoor Kitchen Lighting

Making sure that you have adequate lighting is essential for any outside entertaining. Whether you have a large outdoor kitchen or a more modest outdoor kitchen station, the right lighting and fixtures can change your entire outdoor cooking and dining experience
As in the main house kitchen, the immediate food preparation and cooking area needs sufficient illumination to allow the chef to see what they are doing from a health and safety perspective.  Let’s be honest none of us like undercooked food and all that chopping and slicing with sharp knives needs good lighting.

Consider installing task lighting with halogen bulbs above your cooking and food preparation area. Halogen lamps are small and stand up to higher temperatures, which make them perfect for outdoor cooking areas.
For extra visual appeal, install pendant lighting over bar and serving areas. It's also a good idea to install lighting under cabinets, countertops, and inside lower cabinets where overhead lights don't provide great coverage.

Outdoor kitchen lighting needs to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. You need to be able to keep it clean, weatherproofed and available at the touch of a button.  Consider mood setting dimmer switches for eating areas which together with lanterns and candles can create a soft, relaxing setting. Coloured lighting also enhances the kitchens features and can work with your decor and themes.

Link the lighting into the garden area, highlighting trees, plants, water features and stone work for a dramatic effect. This type of lighting looks good in all weathers, adding a magical relaxing haven and shows your outside kitchen area and garden at its best.

Lantern

Lanterns, pendant lights, spotlights, up-lighters all provide their own ambience and can be used to good effect throughout the outside kitchen and patio areas. Lighting and any electrical fixtures should also be rated for humid and damp conditions. There are many variations from damp to wet, so be sure you choose fixtures best for your countries climate.  Also consider the cleaning aspect and make sure spiders webs are removed from any pendant lighting or lanterns especially where food is being prepared.

Ceiling Fan

If your outdoor kitchen has a roof, consider installing a ceiling fan with a lighting fixture. The fan also deters mosquitos and bugs plus the extra illumination will enhance the lighting of the entire kitchen area.  As an additional fly, mosquito and bug deterrent, burn citronella candles. Don't forget walkways, steps and other areas near the ground. Night time grilling and entertaining outdoors is fun, but can create hazards in under lit areas. Consider solar-powered LED landscape lighting for walkways and the outer perimeter of your outdoor kitchen.

Installation for outdoor lighting will most likely require an electrician. Ask your builder, neighbours or friends for a good recommendation. Ask the electrician how they plan to calculate the load your lighting plan will use; more than one circuit may be needed and some appliances and lighting set on separate circuits. A professional can help you make the most of your outdoor kitchen lighting by ensuring it functions efficiently and safely.


Dee Lynston