I would never trade a proper hood for a downdraft. The down drafts at best are not good and a cooktop in front of a window just bad idea. Let us see the rest of the kitchen maybe a range somehwere else is the answer but I need to see the whole kitchen and you need to figure out actual lighting

Building codes for things like cooktop location and ventilation differ by location. What country or area are you in?

I’m in Germany. Placemant would be possible. But is it desirable?

Below is a foto of the entire kitchen. The cooktop needs to stay on that wall. The isand is just a huge old cupboard. We cannot change where the electric is, as it’s a rental, but we also would not want the cooktop in the island.

I wonder if you could also put some small track lighting on the sides or tops of some of the beams for more ambient light as well.

I wouldn’t go to the expense of moving /replacing any appliances in a rental. Just add some lighting.

It‘s complicated. In Germany apartments often come without a kitchen. The renter has to put it in and she owns the kitchen cabinets and appliances.We bought ours off the former renters. It doesn’t have a hood yet. We need to buy one if we choose to keep the cooktop where it is. We will need to replace the countertop sooner or later as its breaking and we don’t plan on moving out probably ever. So we are wondering whether to replace it now and while replacing it reconsider the placement of the cooktop.

So, all that aside: which light set up would you choose for which scenario and why?

which cooktop set up would you choose and why?

I’d appreciate your professional insights!

@threeonthetree:

there is actually elecricity on each and every one of the beams!

Those two cables coming out off the wall that you mentioned where randomly left there for cabinet lighting. We plan on putting them into the wall for the sonces. Just need to know whether to go down or above the windows…and yes, there is an outlet for the hood already in place.

Sweet! Light that whole cathedral ceiling up! And don't forget to wipe off your footprints on the island from taking the picture!

We are considering it. BUT, what about the down light question?

ps. it was a stool ladder on the kitchen island. ;)

IMO a slim profile linear would look better with all that's going on, sort of "disappear," and fit the style of kitchen, because with all the open beams any other style of individual light would look like a "pimple," and any wall sconce doesn't seem like it would provide enough functional light because I don't see anything else provided.

track lights? above the periphery and the island? Considering it. BUT like the scone idea and want to bury those two cables anyway.

This one could work:

This one I cannot fathom actually looking good in out set up…

This is what we have ao far in terms of lighting:

I'm not very aware of what appliance choices you might have in Germany, but it seems to me that if you could have a range (cooktop+oven combined), then you would be able to put it where your current oven is. And that would improve the ergonomics of the entire space. Cooktop right next to stove is very difficult to work with. You really need space between them if it's possible. And cooktop in front of window is definitely not optimal.

I appreciate all your answers and I would love if anyone commented on the two specific questions I’m stuck on..

Which light set up would you choose for which scenario and why?

Which cooktop set up would you choose and why?

Thanks so much!

My vote is for option 1. But with a lighter color hood vent. I think the lights above working area would be better then the sconces to the side. Also, would you be able to open that cupboard door on the right if a sconce is there?

@halberta Thank you!

Yes, the scones are 10cm deep and the cupboard is 10cm away from the wall (and we don’t usually open the door all the way, as its never really necessary.) But I do think you’re right: the light will be better from the AJs above the windows.

I agree about the color of the hood, but it’s impossible to find something high quality and QUIET in max. 60cm width that is not black… all the quiet high end models in stainless steel (e.g. Falmec NRS hoods) are 80-90cm wide. Problem is, that whole wall between the windows is only 80cm wide. So, I compromise color rather than noise level… but I wish I didn’t have to..

Option 5??? Just in terms of light.

Cute space! Do you have outlets on the far left of the counter and the far left of the island? Can you add table lamps there just for ambiance/some functional lighting?

There are battery operated bulbs now that would allow a table lamp on the island if an outlet is not accessible