lighting advice please
9 years ago
Hi, we are starting our building work for new kitchen in the next few weeks. I'm sorted with the kitchen design and just want to make sure I get the lighting correct. here is the plan, if I use spots over the work space areas and a pendent over the island, should I use spots spaced evenly over the rest of the ceiling? I was also planning on having under cupboard lights on the wall units. thanks for any ideas.
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9 years agoHi Helen,
This sounds super boring but I would highly recommend you get a professional to do your lighting plan.
Lighting can really make or break a kitchen and for a few hundred pounds (and an absolute fraction on what you'll be spending on your kitchen and actual electrics and light fittings) I couldn't recommend it highly enough.
We used our interior designer (Gina from Create Perfect on here) and whilst it probably won't be much help, I've attached a pic of the lighting plan she created for our new kitchen / diner.
She created different zones for us to enable us to zone the lighting in relation to all the different ways in which we could be using the room.
Good luck whatever you decide!
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Comments (4)Done several of these over the years. Typically clients go with a large rectangular lantern light with openable lights for ventilation. I've also done flat rooflights (not opening). Rooflights get hot in the summer and cold in the winter. They will also fog up with condensation if no way of ventilating. So get opening rooflights. Try two Velux CVP flat roof windows with winding gear so they can open or if you have bigger budget try the equivalent from Glazing Vision or perhaps a lantern with opening lights. Glazing vision is a nicer product, never had any complaints and helpful to work with. Based on what I can interpret from the plan you could have large roof opening 6x3m (based on plan dims) (You mention 4.5x4.2m?. either way leave about 1m 0.9m from the edge to the rooflight). May need to install steel beams or double/triple trimmers bolted together (based on weight of rooflight, roof and span of opening) If you are in a specialist planning area Conservation or Dark Sky policy, then you will need to check with planners to do either! and may have to apply for a minor material amendment. Your builder/engineer will know what these are and the calcs for them. Alternatively try 2 or 3 smaller square of rectangular shaped rooflights with trimmed openings. Make sure your builder understands how to do a timber insulated builders kerb to comply with Building Regs and properly lapped and weather sealed at junctions. You will need to check with the Building control officer if you need a SAP calculation, for the extra window openings. This may require you to have some improvements elsewhere within the build. Based on your doors you probably already have had to get involved with one. Also check for fire resisting requirements and resist impact from falling for maintenance. The BCO will know and so will the rooflight manufactures. Should be a very nice light and airy space. Regarding your sliding doors go for bi-fold sliding ( bottom bearing not top hung) if you can along with one leaf being useable as a normal door (fire exit and general use), and go for the level access threshold. Lower the door frame into the wall so it is level with the floor and raise the external surface (decking or hard surface) up to the threshold with a nice channel drain between or narrow slot drain (Gatic or ACO). External surface needs to fall away from the building shallow fall if possible. Will look very pimp. Clients always like this look and more friendly/traversable with kids and elderly. Make sure the doors have a proper weather sealed threshold some do not, and your insurance wont cover this for leak from wind driven rain. What are you doing with the garden? assuming you have one. You may want floor uplighters in Indian sandstone paviours, with a hottub on or sunken timber deck or a meandering path to a sun terrace or pergola, always popular features with clients. Duncan Green....See MoreRefreshing old light fixtures. Advice please :)
Comments (2)You could try hammerite. It comes in spray and brush-on formulas and is designed for metal. It should also be fine over the top of small rusty bits....See More
9 years ago- 9 years ago
PRO9 years agoHi Helen
Firstly, congrats on your new kitchen – how exciting. As a
lighting designer I thought I may be able to offer you some additional
advice.When looking at lighting design for the kitchen, the primary
lighting to think about is the task lighting as this is the most important for
the working space. You don’t need to scatter downlights across the ceiling to
get a general even spread of light; what I'd normally advise is to install
downlights where you need the light to be, for example directly above the
kitchen work surfaces and the island - the Atlas downlighter is a good option for this. For something
more decorative above the island I would consider pendants, as that will create
a more ambient and inviting environment (like in the images below).I agree
with the under cupboard lighting completely. If you have that switched on a
separate circuit it will double up as background lighting for when you are
entertaining, offering you the perfect light level to find your way to the
fridge for that all-important bottle of vino! Add some over cupboard lighting
to match, and that will emphasize the height of your kitchen. Last but not
least, always use a dimmer switch to give you that versatility for all
occasions.
I hope this is of some use to you, best of luck with your project.
Rich
Darklight Design
- 9 years ago
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