Advice on lighting layout

15 years ago

We are planning our kitchen renovation and at the point of trying to determine lighting.

We are thinking of using 4" recessed lights in somewhat of a grid pattern (yellow circles) and then placing two pendant lights over the island and one over the sink (red circles). Each square on the grid is 12".

Due to the fridge sticking out more than the cabinets/countertop, it creates an issue of having all the lights evenly spaced - do you think this pattern works or should I place the lights evenly so the light would actually be "above" the fridge?

We are planning on also having some type of undercabinet lighting as well.

We currently have a single light above our kitchen table that will be replaced as well but still working on ideas for that.

Any advice or feedback is appreciated.

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Comments (4)

formerlyflorantha
15 years ago
No expert on lighting here...but I do wonder just as much about the lights that seem redundantly placed--I assume the red ones are pendants, yes? You have recessed cans making downlight over same surface that is serviced by pendants. Now I realize that they are on different switches, but the dishwash station can be very very lit up if both are on and same with the island. Will there be undercab lights also? And a hood light? The refrig has a light inside it--is a ceiling light needed here? I remember hearing something like this formula--a can light on an 8 foot ceiling makes a 5-foot light wash on floor--but don't quote me. Experts know this stuff. All I know is that it's a bummer to work with light behind you instead of on your work.

Do you anticipate any cabinetry above the refrig?

I suggest talking to a lighting professional. They work in lighting stores and might be free with advice.
houseful
15 years ago
I do believe the 5-foot radius is correct. However, it does make a difference how high up inside the housing the light is placed.

I don't think you need the one over the sink since you have the pendant. I would do something like this...
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huango
15 years ago
Do you have upper cabinets around the sink and stove walls?
Also not a lighting expert here, but from some reading, I thought that depending on your ceiling height, it was recommended to move the lights out a bit from the upper cabinets so as NOT create shadows.

"Posted by itsallaboutthefood (My Page) on Sun, Mar 13, 11 at 1:06

With can lighting, the trick is to place them in front of the person working in order to prevent shadows. My contractor suggested placing them around 20" from the wall, just in front of a person working at the 24" counter. We also have a few in the center of the room too.
We have CREE LED can lights (2700 K) and the light is very warm, not harsh like fluorescent lights."

thanks,
Amanda

Here is a link that might be useful: quick previous thread on cans and shadows
rchickering
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the advice.

I like the modified layout -thanks houseful!

Makes sense as far as where to position the lights just inside the countertops.

There will be a cabinet over the stove (microwave and cabinet) but not one over the sink.