Track Lighting for Open-Concept Kitchens and Living Spaces

Track lights, especially the more flexible monorail ones, can offer a great lighting solution for open-concept kitchen/living spaces. They blend the practical with the aesthetic of the room.

Most track lights run on line voltage that connects directly to the home electrical circuit, but there are low-voltage fixtures available as well.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics are a major factor in choosing the right lighting fixtures for your home. Kitchen track lighting comes in an array of styles and designs, with plenty of options to suit any taste. This particular fixture, for example, features a beautiful black chrome finish that’ll fit in perfectly with your home aesthetic. It also comes with LED integrated lights that are both energy-efficient and long-lasting. Customers who have purchased this light have given it rave reviews, mentioning that the design is both simple and strong.

When selecting a kitchen track lighting set, it’s important to consider how you intend to use the fixtures and where they should be placed. For instance, if you’re using them for task lighting, then they should be installed at least eight feet above your countertops to avoid interfering with cabinet and sink doors opening and closing. They should also be closely spaced to ensure that the entire countertop is evenly illuminated.

While there are a number of ways to mount these lights, it’s best to have them professionally installed. This will help ensure that they are properly positioned and secured, so you don’t run into any issues down the road. It’s also a good idea to have someone test your kitchen track LED Wall Light lighting after installation to make sure it’s functioning properly. Before beginning any electrical work, make sure that you turn off the power to the area where you plan to install the fixture.

Functionality

A major benefit of kitchen track lighting—over and above its ability to illuminate hard-to-reach areas of your home—is that you can use it to highlight artwork on a gallery wall or create an eye-catching statement light fixture. In fact, many of the contemporary kitchen track and monorail lights on this page feature a wide range of head options (the fixtures that hold your lights). So whether you prefer sleek black pendants or a vibrant brass system, there’s sure to be a design that speaks to your style.

Because they’re directional, kitchen track ceiling lights tend to look less minimal than traditional recessed cans that project out from your home’s ceiling. And because they’re often a part of an open-concept kitchen/living space, kitchen track lighting gives you the flexibility to showcase your home’s decor and set a cozy mood for entertaining.

Beyond their simple straight design, track lights have also evolved into curved tracks that sit well against or weave around ceiling beams. And because they can be fitted with dimmers, you’ll have the option of turning up the heat while entertaining or lowering the ambiance to create an intimate setting when dining. For even more versatility, some kitchen track lighting and monorail systems can be paired with decorative lamps that will add a touch of personality to your space—think colorful glass pendants or a boldly-patterned brass fixture, like the one In Detail Interiors used in this neutral kitchen.

Energy Efficiency

The amount of electricity track lighting uses depends on the type of bulbs you choose. LED light bulbs tend to use less energy than traditional incandescent ones, and they also last longer. They’re more efficient than fluorescent bulbs, too.

While you can still find kitchen track lighting that looks like clunky old industrial fixtures, many styles have become much more streamlined and sophisticated over time. The options are endless, and they come in a variety of finishes, designs, and colors to suit any style.

Monorail track systems, for instance, offer flexibility and a sleek look that pairs well with almost any design. They feature a single rail with individual lights suspended from it, and they’re available in a range of head (the fixture that houses the light) styles and sizes.

You can use track lighting to highlight art, accentuate architectural features, or create a focal point in a room. It’s especially effective in long, narrow spaces that can benefit from a trickle of light down the length of the room.

If you have a contemporary or modern kitchen, consider placing track lighting above a breakfast bar or peninsula to illuminate the spot where your family gathers to eat and socialize. It’s easy to install, and it offers a clean and minimalist look that makes your kitchen feel more spacious and bright.

Flexibility

Track lighting offers the same flexibility of directional light as pendants or chandeliers but at a much lower cost. This makes it a great option for kitchens with varying décor that can benefit from a directional light source. It is also more customizable than recessed lighting and is available in a variety of designs and head options (heads are the fixtures that contain the lights).

The most common type of track light is a linear one that comes in straight lengths of 8 or 4 feet. They are easy to install and are offered in a wide array of finishes to match diverse design styles. There are kitchen track lighting also flexible tracks that can be curved into whatever shape you require and monorail track lighting that uses multiple strands of lights to illuminate artwork or highlight special room areas.

While it is easy to switch out the fixtures on a track light, swapping out the entire system of tracks can be more difficult because it requires removing the drywall anchors and rewiring. Nonetheless, since track lighting systems are relatively inexpensive it can be well worth the effort to give your kitchen a new look.

The one drawback of kitchen track lighting is that it is not as subtle as recessed lighting. The tracks protrude from the ceiling and can create a visual impediment. However, this problem can be minimized by installing a track with an invisible head or a track that is more hidden in the ceiling.