Semi-flush mount lighting is ideal for low ceilinged rooms as they offer the focus and detailing of a pendant light but don’t drop as far into the room.
You might even consider a semi-flush crystal chandelier, which will cast light in every direction and bounce off surfaces. A kitchen floor lamp is good in a small space if shelf space is at a premium, but you need to boost the current fitted kitchen lighting.
It can also stand near windows or corners too slight for furniture or permanent pieces and gets away from the standard kitchen lighting ideas that often just feel very functional.
For those that lack square metres, diminutive doesn’t have to mean dull – in fact, decorating small busy kitchens can present an interesting challenge to accentuate the space you do have.
Start with flush mount kitchen lighting: perhaps a chrome wall sconce that will take up minimal room, utilise dead wall space, and ensure guests won’t bang their heads on hanging fittings as they wander in proffering a bottle of wine.
The best small kitchen lighting highlights areas of interest with cleverly directed pools of light – you might find a beautiful brass wall sconce to light up a gorgeous bookshelf filled with pretty cookery books, or string up bare bulbs to create unique kitchen wall lights.
Alternatively, large spaces with full-size windows need seriously considered management of daylight as it drifts across them during the day.
Think about a series of windows coverings that can be managed independently, say a series of Duette® Shades to manage natural light or glare.
Wall and floor surfaces also need to be part of the scheme; matte or satin paint will give a more diffused sensation of the light reflected back.
Gloss is the most reflective but will do it in small concentrated areas that can create glare. However, it’s suitably hard-wearing and wipes clean for high traffic areas like bustling kitchens.