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Light Over Kitchen Sink

2 years ago

Hey all. I am debating on having our builder move the can light that is over the kitchen sink out more to avoid the shadow that it is creating over the crown molding over the window. Do you all think it would fix the issue moving it out a few inches? Or am I stressing over nothing? I would appreciate y’all’s input. Have any of you dealt with a similar situation? Thank you!

Comments (17)

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    You have a beautiful, clean look, you are obviously planning some sort of pendant over the island - consider a pair of linear chandeliers instead, and as apple pie says, coordinating task lighting at the sink.

    Just keep in mind that ceiling height is important when calculating how much lighting you need, and your ceilings are pretty high. That can light is different because it is in the soffit- I would remove it. You could hang another chandelier there, but sconces might look better, you can mount them on the trim between the windows. Because you can hang them nearer the task (the sink) they can provide you with better lighting there.





  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    in your case with the beam and pretty good lighting elsewhere I would leave most alone except for the above sink zone. the windows are a great looking feature. . why not enhance w pendants ? and at the same time get the improved lighting for that run?

    at least one...but probably a trio... [ you have a good looking space!! ]

    Linden Ave. · More Info



    Rustic Kitchen · More Info



    Contemporary Farmhouse Style · More Info


  • 2 years ago

    Thank you all!! Great suggestions! We will make a few changes. :)

  • 2 years ago

    I find this blog excellent for learning about lighting. Here's one article about lighting in the kitchen: https://languageoflight.blog/2023/01/11/dont-do-this-kitchens/

  • 2 years ago

    The light over your sink needs moved out, and additional lights added for that run of counter. Sconces would be disproportionate in scale here and will not provide adequate lighting.

    Lots of time and money has been spent designing and choosing cabinets, and the kitchen is very nice because of that, but the lighting was an afterthought. Just a builder special of a ceiling grid. Sorry to say, but from these pics it is a very dark and dreary space when it looks like it is sunny outside the covered patio. I can only picture not seeing the crumbs on the floor or squinting into drawers because it is so dark, and surely nighttime would be worse. It would require many more fixtures, definitely a different spec, and maybe soffit work to be successful.

    Many like to rely on the island pendants, which are functional for the island, but more decorative for the larger space because you don't want a beacon of bright light at your forehead to make up for lack of lighting elsewhere. Also an over-reliance on under cabinet lighting, but not understanding those do not light the interior of your cabinets above and below them, or counters that don't have upper cabinets, or forcing a high lumen UCL to overcome the darkness which provides an unbalanced focus as an over-bright backsplash attracts your eyes first.

    The blog referenced by another commenter is good to begin to understand how the lighting can match the design level of the rest of this house.

  • PRO
    2 years ago

    IMO those weird overhangs above the cabinets are the issue not the light placement

  • 2 years ago

    I would move it out and add some more to that run ... you might have placement issues with the lights due to the hvac ducting in the soffit.

  • 2 years ago

    ^ agree, I don’t think a single bulb with that ceiling height is near enough for the sink area

  • 2 years ago

    Those “weird overhangs” are soffits and I see both wires and a vent grate. Probably would have been expensive to remove and reroute everything. Certainly can’t consider removing at this late stage of construction. Makes more sense to work with some of the lighting suggestions posted!

  • 2 years ago

    Since those big, lovely windows open out onto a covered porch, you don't have nearly enough light over them. I'd lose the can light altogether and add three pendant lights, which will bring the light down to a usable height.

  • 2 years ago

    I would not do 3 pendants over the window ... as it looks like there will be 2 pendants over the island and you'll end up with a lot of visual clutter hanging from the ceiling.

  • 2 years ago

    Wow your kitchen is glorious. I love the high ceilings.



    I think three pendants over the sink like this would be beautiful.


    Nagawicka Lake Home · More Info





  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    The inspiration pics others have posted of three lights above the window run are charming in isolation but will be over kill in your space with the addition of your hanging lights over the island.

    You need architectural lighting. (Functional lights meant to illuminate the space, where the point of the fixture is not aesthetics.) Consult a lighting designer to get an architectural sconce placed on both wing walls that flank the sink counter. You will paint them the same color as the wall so the disappear.

    The goal of the sconces is to throw the light really high and far up to the ceiling and over to the sink. Two good lights will illuminate that entire area. You beautiful windows will still be the focus. I hired a lighting designer to plan my living room where we are not allowed hang ceiling fixutures. It is incredible what these architectural sconces can do.

    We used these ugly little sconces in our very traditional living room. Painted the color of the wall, they simply disappear but they light the entire room. It is magical and everyone comments on the incredible lighting in the space. I'm sure there are other sconces that could achieve the same purpose. But remember, it is not about a pretty fixture. It is about finding something that will disappear into the wall and illuminate the space.


    https://www.lumens.com/melete-wall-sconce-by-artemide-ATD640708.html

  • 2 years ago

    I used a pair of these pendants over my island. Look through the photos in the reviews section and see all the different ways people have used it. I loved these so much I designed my whole kitchen around them. LOL. It's a rather large pendant, but your ceiling looks high enough for it to work in the space.


    Khloe Glass Pendant Moroccan Inspired Hexagonal Steel Frame & Tapered Glass Panels (ballarddesigns.com)



  • 2 years ago

    I think one nice new pendant will solve the problem. Measure the space and be careful not to buy something too big or too puny.

    While I appreciate all the pros who suggest finding a lighting designer, it may not be that easy. And this is a fairly simple fix (or I’m underestimating something).

  • 2 years ago

    Look at the date on the thread. The OP hasn’t been on in 25 days. I hate to see people wasting their generosity and talent on a thread the OP will likely not revisit.