| Due to normal age-related changes in vision, everyone over the age of twenty sees better with more light. But a well-lighted kitchen is crucial for older adults who face a high risk for developing age-related eye conditions like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Kitchen light fixtures, bulbs and controls that provide adaptable light levels and less glare will serve all family members, regardless of their age or visual capabilities.
FIXTURES
Universally designed light fixtures that serve multiple functions are the key to effective, simple and inexpensive kitchen lighting. Look for fixtures with:
• Colors that blend into the surface they are mounted on so they do not create sharp patterns of dark and light that interfere with vision
• Matte finishes, baffles and trim rings rather than reflective surfaces that cause glare
• Covers that are easy to remove and clean or no covers for easy maintenance by people with limited hand strength or gripping abilities
• Dimmable, low voltage “Energy Star” features and electronic ballasts for energy conservation and quiet, flicker-free operation
• Bulbs and tubes that do not extend beyond the fixture exposing them to direct view and creating glare
• Wraparound translucent diffusers, prismatic lenses and white grooved baffles that shield bulbs and tubes from view and eliminate glare
• More than one bulb or tube per fixture to prevent total darkness when one burns out
• Bulbs and tubes that are long lasting, easy to change, reasonably priced and available in local stores without special orders
The four most common types of kitchen fixtures are ceiling, undercabinet, architectural and wall-mounted. Ceiling fixtures recess into openings in the ceiling, mount on ceiling surfaces or suspend from the ceiling.
Recessed ceiling fixtures blend into the kitchen décor and focus light on activities, occupants and the room rather than emphasizing the fixtures. Recessed fixtures that blend with a light-colored ceiling improve both light output and aesthetics. Fixtures on dark-colored ceilings absorb light and intensify glare. Linear recessed fixtures eliminate cones of light with bright centers and dark edges that often occur with round fixtures. Round recessed fixtures 4 to 8 inches in diameter, sometimes called “cans” because of their shape are another alternative. But recessed fixtures that rotate in all directions, called ”eyeball” fixtures, are more universally usable. (Pictured above) Their swivel feature and adjustable aperture provide a variety of beam angles that distribute both narrow intense or broad diffuse light downward or toward a wall for ambient, task or accent lighting. Balance light levels throughout the kitchen by installing round recessed lights no more than 3 feet on center and at least 2 feet away from the walls to avoid harsh scalloped light beams along the walls.
Surface-mounted ceiling fixtures attach directly to the ceiling or to a track attached to the ceiling. Most surface-mounted fixtures provide ambient light and require supplemental lighting at task areas. Examples include linear fluorescent fixtures, puck lights and track lighting. Linear surface-mounted fixtures provided even illumination in most kitchens, especially if there is more than a single fixture in the center of the room. Puck lights are round disks with visible connection wires that attach to the ceiling. They are an effective substitute for recessed fixtures in kitchen remodeling projects without ceiling renovations. Track lighting is versatile and adjusts easily as either ambient, task or accent light. Unfortunately, most track lighting systems are highly reflective and difficult to maintain.
Suspended surface-mounted fixtures hang from the ceiling by a rod, cord or chain and they provide ambient and task lighting or decoration. They include chandeliers, pendant downlights and/or uplights and ceiling fan lights. Like other ceiling fixtures, linear fixtures provide uniform ambient light better than round fixtures. Suspended ambient light fixtures located with the light source at least 80 inches above the floor will be out of most people’s sight lines and reduce glare. Households with taller family members will need higher fixtures to accommodate their sight lines and to provide adequate headroom. Suspended fixtures used for task lighting at counters, peninsulas and tables need to be on retractable cords so they can adjust between 15 to 24 inches above the work surface. Retractable cords on suspended fixtures also make bulb changes and fixture cleaning more convenient. Because suspended surface-mounted ceiling fixtures are decorative and highly visible, they require careful selection to prevent glare and reflections in kitchens used by older adults.
Undercabinet fluorescent and Light Emitting Diodes or “LED’s” strip lights do not emit heat, which is an important feature for fixtures installed where they can occasionally contact skin and cause burns. Energy efficient Light Tape® is an emerging technology worth following because it attaches underneath cabinets without requiring a light fixture. Linear, low profile lights are easiest to install under the front edge of cabinets. This location concentrates light on the most frequently used task area at the front of the countertop and it uses the cabinet lip to conceal the light source from direct view of people seated in the kitchen. Their long, thin shape provides complete coverage along the bottom of wall cabinets and distributes light evenly across a counter rather than pooling light as is common with round fixtures. Adjustable fixtures can direct the light towards the front counter or backsplash and away from shiny surfaces or reflective objects. Undercabinet fixtures that are dimmable or include adjustable light levels are useful as nightlights if they are on separate circuits from other kitchen lighting. In addition to task lighting, undercabinet light fixtures can also accent countertop display items or a decorative backsplash.
Architectural fixtures built into a kitchen’s structure illuminate surfaces that spread ambient light evenly. Cove lighting on top of wall cabinets or completely around the upper walls of the kitchen balances room light by distributing it across the ceiling. Soffit down lighting and valance up-down lighting use walls to distribute ambient light. Linear fluorescent, LED or similar energy-efficient fixtures are best suited to achieve the long, narrow horizontal effects of architectural lighting. To avoid bright lines on the ceiling, install cove and valance lighting at least 18 inches below the ceiling. Valance lighting aligned with the top of windows and doors, usually 80 inches from the floor, will be above most peoples’ sightlines and minimize exposure to glare. Architectural fixtures also illuminate cabinet interiors to make the contents more visible.
Wall-mounted fixtures attach directly to wall surfaces to provide task or accent lighting and to diffuse ambient light. They supply task lighting above sinks and highlight decorative objects. Sconces with both up and down lighting and multi-light bar fixtures wash kitchen entry walls in light. To reduce the risk of someone hitting their head or running into wall-mounted fixtures, the fixtures are installed 80 inches or more from the floor. Fixtures installed below this height are safer if they protrude less than 4 inches from the wall. As with other fixtures, they will create sharp, irregular patterns of dark and light if installed on dark colored walls.
BULBS
A careful analysis of the numbers on light bulbs and tubes contributes to a well-illuminated kitchen. Most light bulbs emphasize the number of watts. But the number of watts indicates the amount of electrical power required to operate the bulb, not the quantity or quality of light produced. Light output is measured in lux or footcandles, so a high ratio of lux or footcandles per watt indicates higher quality light that uses less electricity. Bulbs that are warm to touch waste most of their energy by converting their output to heat rather than light. Conventional incandescent bulbs are the least energy efficient bulbs available. They are cheap to purchase but they use 3 times more watts of electricity than compact fluorescent bulbs that produce the same amount of light. They emit heat that can cause burns if touched and their useful life is 10 to 20 times less than compact fluorescents, which also means frequent bulb changes.
In addition to watts, other numbers provide essential information about choosing the best light bulbs and tubes for people with older eyes. With age, eye lenses thicken and pupils get smaller allowing less light to reach the eye. Lenses also turn yellow and absorb much of the blue light spectrum, which makes everything in a kitchen appear more yellow to an older person than to someone younger. Subtle differences in color determine whether food is good to eat or the color of a pill, so the ability to distinguish colors is crucial. Numbers indicating the Correlated Color Temperature “CCT” and Color Rendering Index “CRI” of bulbs and tubes are particularly important in kitchens for older adults. Although many bulbs and tubes advertise their “full-spectrum” features, the term lacks a standard definition so it is better to rely on quantifiable numbers.
CCT describes the warm or cool qualities of a light source, which is measured by the number of degrees Kelvin or “K” on the Kelvin color temperature scale. Low CCT numbers indicate that the bulb or tube produces warm yellowish light, which only exacerbates color perception problems in people whose eye lenses are yellowing. High CCT numbers indicate cool bluish-white light, which improves color accuracy for older people. Aging eyes see color properties best with a CCT of 3500 to 4000 K.
CRI describes an object’s color under an artificial light source compared to outdoor sunlight and it is measured on a scale of 1 to 100. Low CRI numbers indicate a yellow color, which can cause eyestrain and fatigue. High CRI numbers indicate a clear blue color. Aging eyes perceive color most accurately with a CRI of 80 to 93.
Four types of light bulbs and tubes are most prevalent in kitchens designed for older adults. They are fluorescent, Light Emitting Diodes, halogen and Parabolic Aluminized Reflector.
Linear fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs produce significantly more light per watt than incandescent lamps. They provide excellent kitchen lighting with lower energy costs, reduced burn possibilities and fewer bulb changes. Linear T8 tubes are common in kitchen ceiling fixtures and soffit lights. Smaller diameter or shorter linear tubes are typical in undercabinet task lights. When installed in fixtures with electronic ballasts, tubes provide flicker-free, inexpensive, high-quality, low-maintenance light. Round compact fluorescent bulbs fit into threaded sockets like incandescent bulbs, but they produce the same amount of light for about 1/3 the watts, which saves on the cost of operating them. They last longer, are cool to touch and some are dimmable. However, glare will be a problem for older eyes unless the bulb fits completely inside the fixture.
Light Emitting Diodes are an emerging technology offering high quality, cool, energy-efficient light. They cost more than either compact fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, but they last longer. LED rope lights commonly sold during the holiday season make excellent, inexpensive soffit lights around kitchen ceilings and above wall cabinets. LED light bulbs are also available and some are dimmable making them an excellent choice for recessed ceiling fixtures providing ambient kitchen light.
Halogen bulbs provide a clear, white light and they have a long life. But they produce intense heat, which makes them expensive to operate and dangerous in some applications especially in undercabinet task light fixtures.
Parabolic Aluminized Reflector or “PAR” bulbs are a type of incandescent halogen light source that provides higher illumination levels per watt than either common incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs. PAR lights provide ambient kitchen lighting in recessed downlights; in accent lighting on architectural features or artwork and in floodlights over kitchen sinks, countertops and task areas. Like all incandescent bulbs, they generate intense heat and are not good in locations where they might be touched accidentally or damage heat-sensitive objects. Their reflecting quality also increases the probability of glare unless they are aimed precisely.
CONTROLS
Conveniently located, adjustable light controls installed so they are easy to see, reach and use work best in universally designed kitchens. Controls located 20 to 44 inches above the floor are most accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Ambient light controls at entrances and exit points prevent people from having to enter a dark kitchen. Be sure the controls are not located on walls that may be behind open cabinet, appliance or room doors. Pass-through kitchens wired with 2-way or 3-way controls allow turning lights on at entry points and then off at different exit points. The most convenient location for many light controls is not always on the walls. Light controls for countertops, built-in tables, islands and peninsulas are within reach without stretching or getting up from sitting if they are on the underside edge of the surface or on the base cabinets. Position controls either vertically or horizontally where they will be most handy. Include locations near sinks, appliances and eating or serving surfaces; inside cabinets; underneath upper cabinets and above countertops.
Adjustable controls adapt light levels to each individual’s needs and preferences. Dimmable or multi-level ambient light controls also vary the mood or effect of the kitchen and conserve energy. Undercabinet fixtures on dimmer controls provide maximum flexibility with light levels ranging from task lighting to accent lighting to nightlights.
Controls that contrast with the surface behind them are most visible to people with a range of vision capabilities. To make controls easier to see in low light, consider rocker switches illuminated with LED lights or glow-in-the-dark switch plate covers. Dimmable rocker switches make controlling lights much easier than toggle switches or slide and rotary dimmers. They do not require fine finger dexterity so people with limited hand and finger movement can operate them with the tap of an elbow, fist, thumb or other object. Occupancy sensors that turn lights on as people enter the kitchen and go off when they leave are effortless and they often save energy, but they do not always work correctly. They are most effective as safety lighting when combined with dimming systems and need to be carefully selected and installed to work properly. Hand-held remote light controls are less reliable than wall-mounted controls because they can easily get lost, especially if someone becomes forgetful or has impaired vision.
Remembering which fixture each control operates can get confusing, so limit the number of controls on a light panel to no more than three. For maximum flexibility and easy individual operation, wire controls with a dimmer switch on each circuit and on separate circuits with no more than two controls per circuit. The link below to Leviton’s publication, “Universal Design Series-Products for People of All Ages and Abilities”, includes other ideas and examples of kitchen lighting controls.
As energy costs soar and the population ages, more people are seeking ways to add efficient, quality lighting to their kitchens. The universal design solution includes fixtures, bulbs and controls that provide flexible, balanced ambient, task and accent lighting. It enables vision-impaired seniors to prepare meals safely while their great-grandchildren do homework at the kitchen table. Universal design creates a kitchen that is light-years ahead of a family’s needs.
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