Pendant light over kitchen cooktop island dilemma.

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

We recently had a bulkhead over our kitchen island removed as we wanted to create a larger feel. The plan was to add pendant lighting. The bulkhead had recessed lighting with (2) 75 watt equivalent bulbs. We purchased and installed 2 glass pendant lights and love the "look" but cannot seem to find the correct bulb for sufficient task lighting without blinding. We didn't even think about that when we purchased the pendants. Yes, I would typically have all of the ceiling recessed lights on while cooking but not all of the time. Also, I am not a fan of circle shadow that is cast on the ceiling. SO disappointed. I'm asking for suggestions on new pendant lights. We do not plan to add a dimmer as I don't think we have the need to dim that light.

In order to NOT be blinded this is the max wattage we could use. Too dim for cooking tasks.

All kitchen lights on

Pendant lights off

Before picture: With Bulkhead over island.

Featured Answer

Fori

4 years ago

I assume you've tried frosted bulbs already, right?

Pendants for task lighting are always tricky. Your lights look really good in there when they are off but I think you need to replace them with something more like what Nancy used. An opaque shade--even thick frosted glass--is what you need.

If you feel crafty, try putting frosted window film over the sides of the shades. Swap to LED lights in case it doesn't respond well to heat. Once you can't see through the shades, these disguised or new ones, you can use any ugly-but-practical bulb you like, like spotlight style bulbs.

Once I swagged an old Tiffany-style stained glass shade over a cooktop. I bet that's not the look you want. But I needed light. :)

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Comments (9)

User
4 years ago
This is way beyond a lighting issue. The whole thing needs to be remodeled to be safe and healthy. The island isn’t deep enough for safety, and you need an overhead hood to remove the unhealthy cooking byproducts that are contaminating your home and lungs.
RMK thanked User
Nancy K
4 years ago
We used some pendant lights from Barnlight.com and really like them. Seeing bulbs bothers my eyes, however the ones we picked do have some opening at the top to cast light on the ceiling which we like and does not bother me. They are also available without the opening and they have tons of other styles to choose from.

Very high quality, made in USA.

Lights We Used

I am having difficulty posting a picture due to my slow internet but trying.
RMK thanked Nancy K
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RMK
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes, we've tried all kinds of bulbs. I can always give it a shot with the frosted film at least to get a feel for how much light it will emit. Thanks for the tip.
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
My number one issue with pendant lights is clear glass for task work. I don't know how many times I say it lol. pendant lights like this are decorative. if you want function you need forced downlight. frosted glass will work or white but not clear. The end. Also change all your bulbs to 3500k to take out the yellow hue.
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RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
You could do with about 3-4 more recessed lights as well. Here is the other thing, you now have a pendant right over your cooktop, so any steam, grease etc is going straight up into the fixture. this is not ideal either. Honestly, I would consider going back to recessed over the island, and then hang one of those pendants over your sink for the "pretty"
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Fori
4 years ago
Aww I like a warm yellow glow! But I didn't think about keeping window film clean. You do want something cleanable in that location.
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Jen L
4 years ago
Glass pendants over a stove are going to be a nightmare to keep clean. I assume that stovetop has a downdraft? Typically downdrafts aren't great at containing cooking smoke/grease (because it is sucking down something that wants to drift up). Can you take out the pendant light and put in a hood with lighting? That would solve two problems at once.
RMK thanked Jen L
RMK
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you ALL for your comments and suggestions. I questioned the glass pendants, over and over with someone that was helping me with my project and they assured me it would be fine. Should have gone with my gut feeling that glass pendants were not a good idea. At this point, I think we will just go back to recessed lighting. Agree, the downdraft does not do a great job but installing a hood over the top of the island is not an option at this point. We are the 2nd owners of this home and question the builder daily, as to "what were they thinking?"