Please help!! Installing tomorrow morning!!

11 years ago

We are finally installing our can lights and pendants tomorrow! For pendants, my electrician wanted to know if I want them on the same switch as the cans, or on their own switch. Please help! We will have the switch for the chandelier over the DR table, a switch for the cans. Thanks!!

Featured Answer

PRO

APK Designs LLC

11 years ago

Hello tilleylove, I usually don't do this but I hate for you to have something installed, pay for it and not have it work properly. You need to make sure the recessed lights are on top of your counter. In other words, if you were to draw a vertical line from the outer edge of the downlight, it should hit the edge of your countertop. I apologize if I am reading them wrong, but the way they look marked up on the ceiling will most likely cause shadows at your work surface once installed and lit up. I would put the pendants on a separate switch and if dimmable I'd make sure that switch has a dimmer as well. Lighting can make or break an interior. So, when you take on projects like this one, it wouldn't hurt considering to hire a professional. I know not everyone has a large budget, but you can pay a pro for 1-3 hours for an on-site consultation and get it done right. It should not be too costly. An expense well worth its money at the end of it all. Best of luck with your project. Regs

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Comments (10)

halfpint2
11 years ago
I think one larger pendant is enough for such a small countertop area. If you go with the two in the photo, they should be a little lower.
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tilleylove
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for taking the time to respond! I also thought the lights needed to be placed closer to the trim, but because of the area next to our oven, my husband placed that one, and then went from there. The jut out over the oven messed it up somewhat. Our electrician hasn't see our mockup yet, so I'm hoping he can tell me how far they should be from the trim. Is there a standard for that? Thanks again! It's very much appreciated!!
tilleylove
Original Author
11 years ago
Also, does it matter if we are also adding under cabinet lighting as well? Thanks again!
Paulettejeanne
11 years ago
I just remodeled my kitchen. Under cabinet lighting is on its switch with a dimmer. Cans are on their own switch with dimmer. And my pendants over table and sink on yet another switch with dimmers on each. Am really glad I can pick and choose how much lighting and brightness....depending on time of year, I know I use more lighting in winter!
PRO
APK Designs LLC
11 years ago
tilleylove, I once asked a lighting expert of decades a question similar to yours. There is one element in the kitchen sticking out from the rest. If I illuminate that area and come straight out I will have shadows on the counter. If I adjust the lights above the counters the ceiling lights do not look symmetrical. He said "the symmetry in the ceiling would look nice but the shadows caused would remind you of the error everyday, making the ceiling unimportant". Interior design is a whole lot about functionality, and a lot less than people think about aesthetics. Undercabinet lighting would reduce the shadows, but if you were my client I'd strongly advise you to install downlights directly above the counters. It's ok if the right side does not follow a straight line. Good luck! Regs
PRO
Creative Visual Concepts, Kevin Strader
11 years ago
Cans 1 switch.
Chandelier 1 switch
Pendants over the island 1 switch.
Under cabinet counter top lighting 1 switch.
Can light over sink 1 switch.

That's how we did it and we are completely satisfied with it.
flopsycat1
11 years ago
All separate switches, with dimmers, for cans, chandelier and pendants. I would not let the jut out over the oven area dictate placement of the rest of the cans. Move the sink side fixtures closer to the wall for better counter lighting. Leave the can over the ovens where it is and move the remaining ones on that side closer to the wall. Ceiling lights do not have to be in a straight line. Functional workspace lighting trumps perfect symmetry.
dolphindancer30
11 years ago
I had a 1970's DARK kitchen with cans in the same positions as your photo. In order to get enough light to see anything, all the cans had to be on and they were HOT! I was always left with a headache from the shadows, glare, and heat.
PRO
User
10 years ago
put them on separate switches.. you dont always want every light on at the same time. lazy electrician!!