Dark kitchen with high ceiling - Lightning ideas?
Hi all!
I'm about to start my kitchen renovation and I'm looking for some help in regards with the lights. I have a Victorian flat with high ceilings (3.4 mts high approx.) and the kitchen has a big window, but is north facing, so not much light coming though, really. Right now it has an ugly fluorescent light and during the day, every time I enter the kitchen I have to turn on the light.
The kitchen will be designed in U shape, with high cabinets to take advantage of the wall space (which could potentially hide more the light coming from the ceiling). I lived in a very VERY similar flat 2 years ago, same highness in ceilings, and U shape kitchen. That flat had the typical directional spot lights in the kitchen, and it drove me crazy when I was cooking at night, because the light was never enough.
I plan to add lights under the cabinets, but I wouldn't like to raise my eyes from the worktop and see myself in the darkness!
Any ideas welcome!!
Comments (11)
Lauren
7 years agoI agree with Jonathan - you really need layered lighting.
I would suggest recessed spotlights on a dimmer placed in a grid formation around a statement pendant light in the kitchen and over the dining table. Effectively you want the evenness and brightness of the spots but you want the pendant to draw all the attention!
I would also suggest under cabinet lighting and since you're having tall upper cabinets I think opting for glass doors with integrated warm LEDs would help the whole space to feel evenly lit. These are often used in windowless kitchens as they really help to trick you into thinking theres a natural high-up light source.
It's important to go for warm coloured bulbs to get that sunshine feel rather than colder bluer ones which can make a kitchen feel very sterile - especially with it being north facing.
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Lighting for a high ceiling
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Comments (1)Hi Lindsey, How about a geometric style wallpaper? I'd suggest keeping the dado rail, wall below and skirting the same colour, and having the wallpaper above as you propose. A geometric design is contemporary and will add energy and life to the space. I'd suggest one of the following: Zoffany Spark paper GP & J Baker Langdale Trellis paper Farrow & Ball Tessella paper For the paint colour, Farrow & Ball have a great selection: Farrow & Ball paint colours I wouldn't have too much of a contrast between the paint and wallpaper colours, as the difference between a flat paint colour and geometric design should be enough of an impact. Hope that helps! PB...See MoreShould we put a dark blue kitchen unit in a low ceiling room?
Comments (5)Are you going for standard height worktops? If so, I think it will be fine as the units will be just over a 1/3 of the wall height (things on walls seem to work better when in 1/3s or 2/3rds rather than splitting a wall in half). I would either paint the walls and ceilings the same colour or just go a shade or 2 lighter on the ceiling than the walls so you're not creating contrast. I've found this kitchen which I'm guessing is a similar height https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/kitchen-tour-modern-rustic-style-in-a-country-cottage-kitchen-stsetivw-vs~87744878...See More
PROThe Lighting Company
7 years agoSorry to repeat but!...Layers of light are always the best way to go, as Lauren has advised. That way you can easily reduce and increase the light level for what ever you are doing. As you said by lighting under the wall cupboards you can throw light exactly where you need it without casting shadows.
Pendants over the table will again illuminate the space below for anyone eating dinner or doing their homework. These can be glass which will spread light around the room too.
Ceiling spots, either recessed into the ceiling or on a bar will illuminate the area, but with pendants, under-cabinet lights, plinth lighting and even over cabinet lights will all layer the light and help. You can always take light away but after all the work is done, adding it can be difficult. All of these can and should be switched separately to offer more flexibility as Jonathon suggested.
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