Need advice on kitchen island lighting!

10 years ago

I am building a house (I live in the Netherlands) and the lighting above
the kitchen island is keeping me up at night. We have a long island
that is in the center of the kitchen (island dimensions are almost 14
1/2 ft long by almost 4 ft wide). The island is at two levels: 1)
working island where the sink is
located (island is at 3 ft., 1 1/2 inches above the floor) and 2) a
breakfast bar which overlaps/ sits on top of the working island and is
almost 2 inches higher (breakfast bar is at 3 ft., 3 1/2 inches). Due to
strict building regulations here, our ceilings are on the low side
(approximately 8 1/2 feet). There are 2 light points above the island
(not possible to put a 3rd in due to a steel beam in the center), one of
which is above the sink area. The faucet is about 21 1/2 inches high.
The low ceilings, combined with the high faucet, the two different
island heights, and my tall husband (almost 6 ft. 3 inches) has me
confused. Originally, we wanted to place industrial-type hanging lights
above the island (1st photo below) but I am now thinking they may be too high /long from top to bottom and wondering is something like the 2nd
photo would work better. Or maybe another type of light would work
better? I am concerned that the lights need to be on the big side to get enough light but
not sure we have the room. How high should I hang the lights from the
island (or the faucet)? Should I worry about water splashing up to the light(s)?
Also, I know the measurements may seem a bit strange but I converted
everything from the metric system. Thanks in advance for your help!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Lights Online
10 years ago
Oh no! I hope maybe I can help you sleep better at night because lighting shouldn't be affecting you like that!

Since you've already converted everything to US customary measurements (I do appreciate that), you may find our guide to light sizing is of help. It has a section on pendant lighting over islands that offers guidelines. Take a look at it, see how your measurements stack up against it and let me know if you have other questions.

For what it's worth, I like the first picture!
amyknl thanked Lights Online
amyknl
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you. Your site is very helpful. I also like the first light best but it is too high/ long due to our somewhat low ceilings. However, I am still unsure how to handle the high faucet that is directly below the light point. How high should the light hang from that to be safe? Also, since the island is so large, I have been thinking that it may be best to have 3 lights (even though there are only 2 light points). Since I cannot add a 3rd light point, I assume the 3rd light can be added through a track lighting system. Do most lights work with the track? And are 3 lights enough for this island? Thanks.
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PRO
Lights Online
10 years ago
Strangely, I wasn't able to find many concrete guidelines on hanging pendants over a sink to avoid splashing. 36 to 40 inches was a possible suggestion. Another was to consult someone familiar with your local building codes, which will likely have some sort of guidance on putting lights near water sources. It's advised to, in that area, choose lights where all the electrical elements are protected just in case--so something open at the bottom wouldn't be best there.

If you would like to have 3 lights but only have 2 places to put them, I would recommend taking a look at linear or island lights, which have many lights attached to just one canopy. (Here are some examples.) That could be a great idea for your large island!
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Lights are specified as "dry location only" or otherwise (exterior rated etc.) considering there is code with respect to fixtures anywhere near a bathtub (pendants are a no no in this situation), one may assume the same applies to sinks. But all code goes back to where you are located - best to check with your local building inspector and/or buy a fixture that is "suitable for damp locations". Best of luck.
PRO
LB3
10 years ago
I love those lights in the first picture. Where did you find them?