Seek Help with Kitchen Lighting Layout

12 years ago

Hi All,

We're just about to begin our latest remodel project... After sweating many details on the kitchen layout, we're now down to the lighting layout. I was hoping some of you might critique our initial plan for possible improvements. I've included the basic kitchen layout so you can see the basic plan and dimensions, and then a separate plan for the lighting.

BTW, what does NOT show on the plan is that we will also have under cabinet lighting as well.

Thanks for any suggestions!

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Comments (5)

bradesp
Original Author
12 years ago
Here is my layout with dimensions... couldn't get GardenWeb to load both images at the same time. Sorry.
bpath
12 years ago
I don't have pendants in the cooking area, so I'm basing my question on conjecture, but will a pendant over the range get dirty quickly?
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luckymommy1
12 years ago
I would do 2 larger pendants vs three over a 6'3" island, which would also avoid the problem of having a pendant over the range.
User
12 years ago
I know you didn't ask, but are you set on the layout? There's a lot of room for improvement. The island is especially problematic. If you're going to do an island cooking zone, it should have a hood above it that provides the major lighting. Otherwise, you're talking a nasty greasy build up on any lighting there. There's also not enough room between the island and the adjacent table. The chairs will rest against the island when in use.
Gooster
12 years ago
What is your ceiling height? The can size and lumens? That is important in determining the strength of lumens delivered at the work surfaces.

I would consider aligning your rows of three in the kitchen portion; the symmetry may be more pleasing, especially since you have beams. Some people favor grids, others favor function oriented. Yours is sort of neither (e.g., not centered on the fridge or sink). I'd also look at the depth of the beams and the beam spread of your selected cans/bulbs. Too close and you can end up with shadows and loose some of the light that you intended.

I agree with luckymommy that three is too many pendants; even small ones. And small ones don't throw off a lot of light, so you may want to add another in the center. You are also sparse at the dining end, depending on how multi-purpose that end will be -- you might need another can between the island and the chandy if you lose that center pendant.

Maybe the experts here or in the lighting forum can discuss tradeoffs with the appropriate distances and heights. The 6 to 8 feet between some of the lights is a bit far, especially if you are using 2 to 4" cans.