dining area lighting dilemma

11 years ago

We are building our retirement home, and have a large (13'x 17') dining area open to the kitchen. We watch TV while eating and reading the paper so we have one in the DR. (I know, I know, but we are just adapting to how we actually live. The TV's also handy for me while I'm cooking. We hang the TV at eye level while sitting, which seems low when you're standing.) Because our eyes need more light to read, we are planning on installing a recessed can over each end of the DR table where we sit and read. I would still like a DR type hanging light over the middle of the table, but cannot envision whether this would work with a recessed can on either side. We have 9 foot ceilings, so I'm thinking I could find something that would look OK hung a little higher off the table. Would this work? Do you have another suggestion? If we do this, should I put the center light on a separate circuit from the cans? We have dimmers now, but it's still a bright light shining down when you're not reading. Please help!!!

Featured Answer

ontariomom

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

I think the idea of a chandy and the two cans over your dining room table is a very good idea. When chandys are on 100 percent, they can be a bit of a glare bomb. Having can lights with a chandy will allow you to dim the chandy (cans should be on a dimmer too). Just make sure none of the can lights are over where anyone will sit (and fully over the table). I would do the four inch can lights. I am not sure if you would want to circuit the lights separately or not. You have to figure out if you would ever want one on and not the other (e.g. if you read at the table, do you want just the can lights on and not the chandy)? I would think for dining, you would want both on at the same time. Do you have a lot of other circuits in the dining room ( eg. are there already several switches in the DR)?

BTW, lots of lighting design books I have read suggest a few can lights and a chandy over the dining room table -- so you idea is in line with the advice I have read. One other idea I have seen for dining room tables is two chandys to cover the length better (of course with a gap in between the two fixtures).

Carol

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Comments (7)

ontariomom
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hmmm, that is not the first time I have seen the poster psychlight recommend Barn Lights with the same link at the bottom. Seems that psychlight is selling barn lights no?

Carol
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golfergirl29
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for the clarification, and my apologies.
ontariomom
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Perhaps I was mistaken, psychlight. If so, sorry. However, I have seen numerous times that you have recommended Cocoweb's barn lights. It does seem fishy to me. Most people on this board do not recommend 10 or more times the same product (all within the last month or so).

Carol
zorroslw1
11 years ago
I would put the can lights on a separate dimmer switch with the Chandy on its own separate switch.
golfergirl29 thanked zorroslw1
ontariomom
11 years ago
I agree Zorroslw1. I just read in a lighting design book to put the chandy on a separate circuit from the 2 cans that are over the table. The book suggested before and after the dinner you might want the chandy on (perhaps dimmed) without the cans. During dinner you might want the cans and chandy together (probably dimmed a bit, especially the chandy which can give off glare if on 100%). If you use the table to do some work, you might want just the cans on, but not the chandy.

Carol
golfergirl29 thanked ontariomom
golfergirl29
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks! I've been paying attention to the light above my head in the morning, which I need directly on the newspaper for reading. (yes, I still get the paper version!) I find I'm also annoyed with it when eating in the evening, even though it's on low dim. I think I would be better off with two sets of switches, both on dimmers. Thanks to all!