Lighting???

16 years ago

I want bright lighting in my kitchen, the kitchen is only 10x11 and the eat-in area is about half that size. I currently have (1) 100 watt flush mount in the kitchen and (1) 300 watt flush mount over the eat-in kitchen area that both have frosted globes. I'm thinking if I replace these with opaque glass (not frosted) it would be brighter, and also change out the 100 watt fixture with something higher. OR I could do 6 to 8 can lights but I don't know if that would be bright enough. Does anybody have a similiar size light & bright kitchen, and what lights did you do?

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Comments (3)

beekeeperswife
16 years ago
lisa, nobody has answered you yet, I'm sorry but someone with expertise will chime in, remember it is a holiday weekend. I will just let you know I had a copper light over my island and one over my table. Each only aimed the light downward. And I had a small pendant over the sink. That was it. Extremely dark and "very romantic".

During our renovation, we installed a crystal chandy over the island, one over the table, 6 recessed lights, undercabinet lights, a pendant over the sink, and plans are to install over the cabinet lighting sometime. Personally, I can't get enough light these days! Everything is on dimmers, so if you "over-do" it can always be dimmed down.

Good Luck!
formerlyflorantha
16 years ago
Undercounter light really helps. If you don't have the wiring for it, you can use lights that connect via a backsplash-area outlet, such as those from Ikea. They can be daisy-chained and switched from a single control switch on the cord or you can plug and unplug them individually or in groups. Fluorescents and hallogens and maybe more types.

My old kitchen was 8 x 12 or 8 x 14 and we had two workhorse two-bulb lozenges in a line down the mid-ceiling, lights under 3 of the 4 upper cabs, a light over sink, hood lights for range (until they went AWOL), and a light over the area of the countertop where we ate. We used them all, but not always simultaneously. There were 2 windows as well. As you age, you will find yourself wanting more light.

There is a recipe for choosing number of cans that a lighting specialist gave me--so many per so many feet, size of area illuminated per ht of ceiling, etc. I'm sure you can find this info somewhere.

In my new kitchen, I have decided against cans, but I think I'm in minority. It's my feeling that ceiling fixtures add personality and cut the blandness of a large expanse of ceiling. I also desire the heat from the light to remain in the room and not in the attic--I live in the north. Once installed, it's easier to change out a ceiling light for another than changing out a can to a ceiling light.
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Tonya D
16 years ago
We are in the process of a complete kitchen gut & remodel. We chose to do the can lights, because I love light.

Our kitchen size is about 12x12. We have 6 can lights and a sun tunnel. Our dining room flows right off the kitchen and is about the same size. Same number of can lights in dining area. I love it!

We put in under cabinet lighting and the most creative light we installed was a sun tunnel. I LOVE it! It's like having a flourescent in the middle of the cans. But it's basically a sunlight reflector that was super easy to install. I can go all day without much additional light on.

I DO like bright light. In Indiana, we can have terribly drab winters and the light is necessary for my sanity!

blessings,
tonyad