Recessed Kitchen Lighting Madness

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We are in a big Corona Kitchen Remodel. Having a blast, but definitely having trouble with the kitchen lighting layout for the general lighting. I have under cab lighting, and pendant lighting over the bar top. Also a restored 12″ Benjamin over the sink to match the dining room 18″ Benjamin. We are trying to layout 8 recessed 4″ LED lights (9 watt), but not finding a layout that looks great. Our kitchen is 222″ x 132″with peninsula but no island.

This is a layout of the kitchen indicating the existing lighting and lumens. We have one countertop area with a window only and no task lighting on that spot yet, so it is hard to design a good layout for the general lighting.

Any solutions are welcome.

I suggested another 12" Benjamin over the countertop area which has no upper cab (and so it has no under cab light), but my wife is concerned it is getting too "farm-y".

Our house is a sort of eclectic MCM.

I will upload actual pictures tomorrow.

Featured Answer

K L

6 years ago

We just went through this and my recommendations are to: (1) Mark the locations on the ceiling to test; and (2) to also test out the bulbs before you choose. Regarding the location for recessed lighting, the general recommendation seems to be to align the lights with the edge of the countertops, so approximately 24" from the wall. This prevents the light from coming behind you while working and creating shadows. Regarding the light temperature, I completely disagree with the recommendation for 4000k. We had our contractor put in 2700, 3000, 3300, and 4000, and we ended up at 3000. To me, the 4000k bulbs look blue and sterile, like an office environment, not warm like a home. BUT, it is completely a personal preference and is why you should test in your space.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
LIghting fo overall lighting should be out from the cabinets so that the light falls on your work surface without you creating a shadow so get a light ing person to help. BTW all the bulbs in all the fixtures should be LEDs in 4000K So get some pots into the center of the space not above the wall cabinets where the lighting is serving no purpose.
Thaddeus Corea thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Thaddeus Corea
Original Author
6 years ago
the drawing is showing the under cabinet lighting and the light above the sink and bar. I am asking for suggestions on a layout of general lighting, which is not in the drawing. :)
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RL Relocation LLC
6 years ago
Thaddeus Corea thanked RL Relocation LLC
Thaddeus Corea
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes RL, that is what I am going for! Would you make a recommendation of wattage or lumens? I have 4" LEDs right now, but I am afraid they may not be strong enough (about 50-60watt equivalent).

Also, how far from cabinets, counters?
RL Relocation LLC
6 years ago
I also like 3k 4k seems very clinical to me, and with 8 cans, I think you will get ample light, white light comes off as much brighter, that is why we switched to halogen before LED came out, less wattage more "light".
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
IMO 3 K leds are yellow light and make all colors change at night the whole point of daylight 4000K is to keep all colors true, 500K are blue not 4000K the reason they seem so different from incandescent is just because people are not used to it .