A Bright Idea For This Kitchen Pantry
Sandy and I visited a feature-laden (new) home for sale today that was loaded with the features we like and it had a great floor plan, too.
Amongst all of the great features and positive practicalities of the plan there was one little feature in the kitchen pantry that caught our eye and made me think "...why hadn't we seen this "bright" idea before now?".
I'm sure you've heard the saying..."The simplest ideas are sometimes the best ideas."
Or..."Ingenuity is born of necessity."
This is one of those ingenious, albeit simplistic, ideas.
Basically, the pantry light operated exactly like a refrigerator light with the same door switch mechanism. When the door opens, the light comes on. When you shut the door, the light goes off. Right now you might be asking yourself, "How did he know the light was off before the door was opened and after it was closed?". Ha...I say to you!
Answer: There was a transom window above the pantry door.
This is a great little feature, in my opinion, because when you go to the pantry to gather the ingredients for that great chili recipe of yours, or whatever it may be that you're after, your hands are going to be full when you come out. No worries. Close the door with your foot or hip and lights out!
There's only one thing that I would have done differently with the light. It would be to make it a little less utilitarian looking and a little more decorative while at the same time much brighter than the fixture currently installed. I didn't think it was bright enough for the task and of course it was...well...ugly.
This is something that is definitely much easier to install prior to drywall installation for obvious reasons. Maybe this is something you might want to add to your personal list of "wants" for your next new home. You could easily adapt this idea to a linen closet or laundry room.
The sky's the limit.
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