Six tips to improve task lighting in the kitchen:

-- Use recessed lighting to focus light. It's important to have a lot of light on work surfaces, such as countertops, stoves and the sink area, and this type of lighting can be aimed exactly where you most need it.

-- Under-cabinet lighting will focuses the light onto the countertop, which is the main work surface. This type of lighting is also an inexpensive add-on for existing kitchens.

-- Different light bulbs -- such as halogen, xenon and fluorescent -- can give your kitchen a completely different effect. Halogen and incandescent light are best.

-- In-cabinet lighting is a great accent. It can make finding what you need so much easier and can also make for a great look if you have glass-paneled cabinets. A bonus is that this type of lighting brings great illumination to the room.

-- Track lighting is the most multipurpose lighting. Each light can be positioned to focus on a different area.

-- Pendant lights are both decorative and effective, creating pools of light over surfaces.

Choose light bulbs with different beam spreads for different effects. Floods are wide and create a more general lighting, while spotlights work well to highlight specific items.
    
Courtesy of Eddie Cohen of Design Light Inc. For more ideas, visit www.hgtv.com.

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