lighting advice please

7 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.

Featured Answer

PRO

Amelia Wilson

7 years ago

Hi Helen, don't feel the spotlights have to be evenly spaced the important thing is having enough and having them in the areas where you'll do food prep. Another feature I've added to a few kitchens recently is plinth lighting, so tiny spots spread round the plinths to give low light for those midnight fridge raids

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Claire Nicholson
7 years ago
Hi 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!
Related Discussions
Lighting advice appreciated please!
Q
Comments (13)
We haven't chosen the pendants yet - we have just dropped a couple of £1 cheapies from B&Q until we find the perfect ones :) We did get a really nice wall sconce from Spark & Bell though for the far end of our kitchen https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/491111424/aureole-brass-double-wall-sconce-with?ref=shop_home_feat_2 We went for a Shaker kitchen in the end... I will post a picture when done as we are still getting floors down and the units scribed in at this stage..!
...See More
Light or Dark flooring opinions...advice please!
Q
Comments (13)
Hi Danielle It's surely a dilemma, although judging by the stuff you already decided on, it's going to be lovely either way. Personally I'm leaning towards a dark floor, even though we decided on a lighter maple floor for ourselves. Really liking Minnie's suggestion too though. Have you thought about engineered wood? Seeing you have chosen some lovely natural materials like marble I think real wood will actually show its worth and with some shopping around you can find a decent quality (the thicker the veneer the better) for similar prices to (quality) laminate. We chose engineered wood for our floors some years ago and it still looks and feels great. Perhaps for kitchen areas it will need sealing after installing however. Hope that helps... Keep us posted!
...See More
Lighting advice for kitchen extension please
Q
Comments (4)
Hi Patrizia, Ok so for the island, I take it there is an extractor fan in the middle for the hob? If so I would stick to the 2 spots either side and make sure your extractor fan has lighting (they usually do). The alternative could be to have a downdraft extractor fan (if it is still possible to change this). They are not as expensive as you might think, obviously as with everything you get what you pay for. Here's one relatively cheap but can fetch up to 2K! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cookology-CDD900BK-Kitchen-Downdraft-Extractor/dp/B0191SSA5I If you do decide to have downdraft extractor fan, I would ditch the spots and put three pendant lights. This is going to to add instant character and statement pieces into your kitchen without looking like a football stadium! For the dining area I would also suggest to have one medium sized chandelier modern/traditional whatever you fancy. This is far more modern than having spots and will also allow you to add your personality and character - something spots can't do! Hope that helps! Rukmini Patel Interior Design
...See More
Advice on ceiling lights please!
Q
Comments (4)
I Googled retro and sputnik lighting and loads of stuff came up. Wayfair have lots but i'm not sure about the quality. I'd never heard of this site (below) but they've also got some great lighting. Strange descriptions though. One fab one came up and kindergarten lighting??? I love the one here but not sure of your budget. https://m.beautifulhalo.com/restaurant-open-bulb-chandelier-wood-6810-lights-nordic-style-blackwhite-hanging-light-p-357290.html
...See More
tony_19
7 years ago
Hi Helen,

i think if it were my space I'd consider having 3 lighting zones and 3 separate switches to control each zone with the switches placed next to both of your doors so that you get the maximum ease of use on the way in and out of the kitchen. A bit more effort for the builder and electrician but it's both a practical and luxury touch for not much more money.

Zone 1 would be a general 'background lighting zone' and probably the most commonly used and would consist of a series of 'warm white' fluorescent slimline linkable lamps placed above and beneath your kitchen units. These units are cheap but very effective and as they would be hidden from sight (fit tight up against the plinth underneath your wall unit). These lights will throw gentle light up on the ceiling to reflect downwards into the room and throw a gentle light on to your work surfaces which is actually good enough for food prep also). This removes the need for harsh spot lights any where else on ceiling for general use of the room. If needs be you could put some wall lights on the same zone. In the past I've used ceramic wall lights that you can paint the same colour as the wall (again with warm white bulbs) so you get the same effect of throwing light without actually seeing a bulb or tube. Looking at your plan, maybe one between the door and window? Not sure what I'd do with the wall we can't see.

Zone 2 would be the the 'working zone' to support food prep and clean up. Maybe 3 ceiling spots directly above your sink with the colour of the spot light surround chosen to match your ceiling so that they don't stand out when not in use. I'd consider having some spots hanging from the ceiling above the island to support food prep but a little depends on what you would do with Zone 3.

Zone 3 would be above your island and a little depends on how you want to use the space. If you can see yourself sitting there with family and friends then I'd go with your pendant idea or possibly even a number of light fittings hanging above the island. I'd suggest avoiding harsh light bulbs - maybe something with squirrel cage bulbs?

Hope you don't mind the 'brain dump' of thoughts and hopefully it provides some food for your own planning thoughts. Good luck with the project.
Helen Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
thank you all for your help I'll have a good look again
PRO
Darklight Design Ltd
7 years ago
Hi 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
Helen Kennedy
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you so much everyone, extremely helpful as always

lighting advice please

Amelia Wilson

Comments (6)

Claire Nicholson

Related Discussions

tony_19

Helen Kennedy
Original Author

Darklight Design Ltd

Helen Kennedy
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

lighting advice please

Amelia Wilson

Comments (6)

Claire Nicholson

Related Discussions

tony_19

Helen KennedyOriginal Author

Darklight Design Ltd

Helen KennedyOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Helen Kennedy
Original Author

Helen Kennedy
Original Author