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Optimal Kitchen Lighting Plan

last year

Hello, We are doing a kitchen remodel and are looking into kitchen lighting. The kitchen layout itself is already finalized.

Here is what I am currently thinking and I am looking for feedback: https://imgur.com/a/ARlVnCj

Yellow would be ceiling lights (I read that it should be on counter edge when possible, otherwise 12" in front of tall cabinets), purple would be kitchen pendants, green would be some kind of long pendant over the dining table. Not shown: we will have under cabinet lighting as well. Ceiling height 8.5 ft, in case that makes a difference.


Few things I am unsure:

- if that's a good plan!

- initially I wanted a light centered on sink but the sink is not centered on the island

- 2 or 3 pendant lights above island?

- should there be recessed/ceiling lights in the dining area? not sure how big the dining table would be or exactly how it would be placed.

- additional light between the fridge and the pantry (pathway)?

Appreciate any inputs!



Comments (5)

  • last year

    You can use recessed 4" lights for the task and ambient lighting including the island and dining table. Dimmers and the different spread of bulbs, ie. flood, wide spot and narrow spot at different lumen output control things. 6" in from the edge of the counter with offset sources to where you'll stand will prevent shadowing from the person standing at the counter. 450 lumens at the counter is the recommended minimum. Ambient light in the aisles is generally flood bulbs. Undercabinet supplements task lighting. Your layout may be capable of improvements. Unless you'r buying a SubZero or comparable integrated frig, the open frig will block the major traffic path in your kitchen. I'd go with an induction range and move the micro to the appliance garage area in favor of more usable high value counter to the left of the range. Single bowl sink and all wide drawer cabs for lowers.

  • last year

    Thanks for the inputs! Trying to visualize - are you recommending: recessed 4" flood lights in the middle of all path ways for ambiance light, 4" recessed lights above dining table, above island, and above counter between counter edge and wall cabinets for task lighting? +light under cabinet. 3 electrical switches then right, 1 for ambiance lighting, 1 for task lighting from ceiling, last one for under cabinet lighting? No pendant lights? Where would you place light in front of tall cabinets/appliances?


    The kitchen layout itself is final, the cabinets are being built. That being said we spent a lot of time on kitchen layout and are happy with final design/compromises based on our usage :)

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I think the lighting plan looks good. Consider an in-cabinet light for the appliance garage.

    Are you going to have all these lights dimmable? Certainly the pendants over island and dining table should be, but I think the ceiling lights should be as well. Also consider light color - warm or daylight. I personally use the highest-wattage daylight LEDs in everything, goal is a kitchen lit up like an operating room, but I live in a gray rainy climate.

  • last year

    I think it looks pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised at how bright the 4" cans are, so I'm not sure you need one above your island; I think the light from the ones on your plan plus your island pendants should be enough. Be sure to put can lights on separate switches than your pendants, and put everything on dimmers so you have options. I like the idea of having cans and a fixture in the dining area -- maybe two more cans between the dining table and the window. You might want to light it up if you're working on a project or homework but only use the fixture for eating. And I'm glad you're adding under-cabinet lighting. Also think about where you want your switches and outlets. Every lightbulb in our house is 2700k but I know some people feel very strongly about that. :)


    One other electrical thing you might want to consider is a charging drawer. Not sure who's in your family, but we have one in a kitchen drawer for kids' school ipads, personal ipads, phones. I wish our drawer was bigger.

  • last year

    I realize the dining table is not fixed in place, so the kind of tight clearance between it and the pantry isn’t how you’ll have it, but I wonder if you should move the pendants a bit.