Help with lighting plan for small kitchen, please

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

If you can offer a lighting plan/ideas for this small kitchen, I'll be very grateful. I'm (very slowly) losing central vision on top of the usual loss with aging, so I'd rather err on the side of more light than less.

Cans over counters as both general and task lighting? Placement? I'm thinking a light over each sink from a closed soffit above. I read on Houzz that it's a good idea to have a light on each side of the stove in addition to the exhaust light when possible. Where should others be? Must lights be at cabinet centers? Must they "match" the opposite wall? No light needed at fridge? Should a central light be added for more general lighting on floor and lower cabinets or would the cans be enough?

Or... cans for general lighting, combined with UC task lighting? Two rows of three cans, 3’ oc and 6’ oc from the back (sink) wall, 3' out from side walls? Middle two on a separate switch from the outer four? Floodlights? Too much for K size? UC lighting sufficient for task lighting (someone on Houzz wrote they are only good for accent lighting)?

Mini pendants over eating counter - 2 or 3?

Thank you, with all best wishes for 2018, Ann

Featured Answer

PRO

Brilliant! Lighting & Design

8 years ago

Hi Ann,

You've not mentioned details which might affect decisions, like ceiling height, proposed finishes, recessed light size, etc. However, you might consider a recessed pattern like the attached using a good quality 6" light at a standard clg. ht. & all on one dimmer.

Consider using Lithonia Wafer LED in 2700K or 3000K as a good option.

For the peninsula it feels like 2 mini pendants would be appropriate.

Under cabinet lighting should be on a third dimmer, and that way you have good control over the various types of fixtures to set light levels best for whatever activity.

Good luck! Post pics when all done.

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Comments (6)

Kim
8 years ago
I like the suggestions from Brilliant Lighting above. We have a 12X12 kitchen with four recessed lights on a dimmer. They aren't necessarily centered with cabinetry, but are in a rectangular pattern approximately 5-6 feet apart with one centered with the fridge. The electrician recommended placing them about two feet out from the upper cabinets, so they would be less likely to cast shadows when standing at the counter.

We also have under cabinet lighting on a dimmer (one light for every 2 1/2 feet of cabinet) and a pendant light over our sink. We don't have a peninsula; but, if we had one like your's with three seats, there would be two small pendants over it and a recessed light or flush/semi-flush ceiling light over the sink instead of having another hanging light in the room.

Hope that helps!
Ann thanked Kim
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Ann
Original Author
8 years ago
Brilliant: I thought I added this but apparently not. The ceiling height is 8'. The cans I have are 5" but contractor suggested 4" and I can use the 5" elsewhere. I'm not sure what you mean by finishes - white cabinets, gray w blue undertones ceramic tile floor (cool), formica counter that is blended/mottled shades of gray and some black and some tiny white areas. Stainless sinks. Stove and fridge will be white or stainless - leaning to white.
acm
8 years ago
I like Brilliant's layout, but I'd do all cans just 18" from wall, rather than what Kim's suggesting, so that the light is always in front of you when you stand at the cabinets. If you have any kind of vision issues, then be sure to supplement with under-cabinet lighting, which can do wonders for detail work.
Ann thanked acm
Ann
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Brilliant: Re mini pendants, would an 8" H and 5" diameter be considered small enough to use two?
PRO
Brilliant! Lighting & Design
8 years ago
Ann, Yes those finishes are always best to be considered as part of the overall aesthetic and in planning the lighting - paint colors, reflective (& non-reflective) surfaces, counter materials, etc. all play a part in the lighting design.

Yes, those minis should be a fine size.

RE: 4"/5"/6" lights? Typically I suggest larger sizes as they can produce more lumens (more quantity of useable light) and always utilizing dimmers. More useable lumens is better for 'aging in place' concerns (where our eyes lose strength/perception as we age) and dimmer use can extend the life cycle of many bulbs.

acm, Yes, under- (& over- where appropriate) cabinet lighting is an important element in the overall design.

RE: distance from the wall. This is always important to figure out case by case. I.E. a 15" deep upper cabinet (or corner cabinets like Ann's plan) might not be good with 18" light location since it will create a 'hot spot' of lighting, where an 18" location over (or to either side of) a sink can be just right since we often 'lean in' while cleaning up (& for Ann's plan the single sink light is even closer to the wall, in the soffit that was mentioned).
Ann thanked Brilliant! Lighting & Design