Hi

I’m not a pro but have compared your room to ours & what we have. Our spots are split into 3 zones with 3 separate switches - this gives you lots of options when layering light, for instance, if someone is working in the kitchen you can layer lighting in that area (spots/under cabinet lighting/island pendants) whilst keeping soft lighting (wall lights on/spots off) in the family area - works well if someone is watching TV. Personally I would have your wall lights either side of the TV. We also have a pendant above the dining table which is great when dining (we have the pendant on with wall lights/under cabinet lighting)...it is also helpful when the kids are doing homework or building Lego. Our island pendants, dining pendant & spots are all on dimmer switches. I hope someone chimes in with their advice & also with the positioning of the spots.
Good luck....the room looks great!

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Just re-read your post and you have mentioned island pendants, how many do you have? Do you have any photos? Thanks

Hi yes we have 3 pendants above the island and one above the dining table. This is our floorplan.

That's a fab layou, the L-shape really works. My worry is with ours that the pendants would all be in one line, so would it look funny from the living room area? What's in the little room on the bottom right??

I can only find this pic when we were mid renovations as we are away at the moment...these are the pendants & pendant we have.

My husbands office. LOL.

Wow your kitchen is beautiful. I love the contrast between the smaller pendants on the island and the big one over the dining table.
That's a handy office space, hiden behind those doors....

Thanks. I don’t think it would look cramped at all. You can get lights to compliment each other...I’ve just done a quick search & have saved them some ideas for inspiration to an ideasbook on my profile called island/dining lighting...check them out & see what you think. Alternatively you could put double spots above the table like here

Some great ideas in there, I will take another look at what I can find. Thanks

Hi Lloyd_nicky,

There is a lot to consider when drawing up lighting plans.. and there are some standards you can work by.

It matters which lights you go for and the colour of light (white, warm, daylight) and their output. We calculate this using the BTU's that are required for each area. You can find only calculators fairly easy on google. This may help getting a number to start with. You also include any under cupboard lights etc (lamps too although these are not drawn on lighting plans).

For placement. In a kitchen you are looking for the spots to have 1m around before meeting another light. 500/600 before meeting a wall. In the dining and living area this can be further apart (depending on the lights you go for). Always think about what shadows will be cast by the lights above or behind you when working at a counter-top and try to ensure you have the surface directly in front of you lit to counteract the high spots.

I hope this has some helpful tips for ensuring your plan works for you. The last step is then to ensure you have enough circuits which don't seem to be shown on the plan. I would be looking for a minimum of three in that space (all at least two way) depending on how you use the space.

If you are still unsure, there are companies who specialise in drawing up these plans or you can ask an interior design or concept planner (like me) who offer lighting and socket plans as a separate package. Lighting being one of things not easily changed later - it's really important to get it right first time.

All the best with your project. Gina

Thanks Gina, some really good points for us to think about. Nicky