skip to main content

Please help with placement of recessed cans Kitchen...

14 years ago

we're finally getting rid of the light box and since we have to paint the ceiling anyway...we've decided to do pendants above island and recessed around perimiter. I asked over in kitchens where I hang out and was directed here.

Here are pics. We live in the woods so it's darker than normal.

Thanks.

Planning schoolhouse pendants. Do you think 3 or 4 pendants? Island is 84" x 35"

Thanks so much!

Trish

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

tntwalter
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks.
momof3kids
14 years ago
I have a kitchen layout like yours I did 3 pendents over the island and 3 cans on each side and one can over sink- I put everything on dimmers and had lights put under the cabinets also- plenty of light- good luck w/ the project!
Related Discussions
Please help with placement of recessed lights!
Q
Comments (6)
Recessed lighting fixtures are relatively cheap compared to the most popular decorative fixtures and therefore I believe contractors and amateur designers have come to rely on them for general illumination in addition to task and accent lighting. I think this is a mistake but this is the first decision you need to make before getting wound up in the layout. I like to first locate the task lights at counters, etc. and use 4" line voltage PAR 20 halogens where possible because they are the least expensive. They should be spaced between 32" and 48" apart. Some of these fixtures might need to be a "wall washer", a "35 degree adjustable", or a "pin-hole" type, depending on your personal tolerance for light scallops on kitchen cabinets above work counters, tables not centered under a downlight, and the amount of a lamp visible when seated at a dining table. Some of the special types mentioned above are only available in low-voltage models, especially if the fixture must be rated for direct contact with insulation or air-sealed when below an unheated space. Complicated; you bet! After the task lights are located I like to light the walls where owners will most likely put artwork and photographs. This is more important to some owners than to others. But I believe rooms appear larger and more interesting when the walls are well lighted rather than the floors. This is even true in hallways. Some owners prefer decorative wall sconces as a way to light some walls and hanging lights over dining tables or islands. The size and power of the sconce should be carefully selected for the room and you need to be careful about blocking views with hanging lights. If you are tall you get tired of moving your head to see other people but if you raise the fixture the light source can become too visible. After locating the task and wall lighting, I try to fill in where there might be a dark area or where a decorative carpet or floor area needs emphasis. I try very hard to avoid a downlight over people's faces, especially in front of a mirror. Electricians will often tell an owner that only fluorescent lights are allowed in a closet but recessed incandescent lights are allowed if the fixture is 6" or more from the "storage" area defined by the NEC and there is a lens on the light. This basically means that the closet must be deeper than 24". (Surface incandescent lights are allowed in a closet if the fixture is 12" or more from the "storage" area. This basically means that the closet must be deeper than 28".) I have had some clients (especially those who entertained a lot) who loved recessed general lighting so much that in addition to task and wall accent lighting, I put line voltage PAR 20 downlights on a 4 ft grid throughout a living room or a family room. This requires a lot of heavy duty dimmer switches. I've never had two owners who had the same taste in lighting or anything else for that matter. You can only hope that one spouse takes the lead in this matter.
...See More
placement of recessed lighting cans - help, please!
Q
Comments (1)
I'd say 6 cans spread out evenly, taking the hanging pendant into consideration would be better.
...See More
Help on Placement and Number of Cree Recessed Lights in Kitchen
Q
Comments (2)
I have the LR6 about 4 feet apart for about a total of 12 in my kitchen. My ceilings are 9'9". They are very bright. It's almost too much light, but a really very nice light ;). I haven't gotten the dimmer installed yet. My kitchen is an odd shape, we'll say 20' by an average of 12 feet. So, 9 might be too much for you. 9 probably would have been better for me. But, I'm no lighting designer ;)
...See More
placement of recessed lighting cans - help, please!
Q
Comments (12)
Kareena, The light from recessed cans tends to spread out in a cone-shaped pattern. Very narrow at the top (the light source), and broader at the bottom. The can itself tends to cut off any lateral ambient spread of light. If the cans are behind you when you're standing at the counter, the light will be directed downward, behind you. essentially, you'll be standing between the light, and whatever you're working on. Downlight in a kitchen can work, provided you have sufficient task lighting installed to illuminate your work areas. Are you planning under-cabinet lighting over your countertops? If it's sufficiently bright, you may be okay. I usually recommend against having all down-lighting in a kitchen. It's good when placed over work surfaces and over the sink, but you'll also want some general ambient lighting. Without ambient lighting, the floors and counters will tend to be illuminated, but the mid-level and ceiling areas in the kitchen will tend to appear gloomy or dark. I always like to see a variety of light sources in a room. Some will project light in a single direction to highlight a feature or area, while others will project light in all directions, providing ambient or general lighting. Each type of lighting should be controlled independently on dimmers, allowing you to adjust the balance of lighting for different activities. A large fluorescent fixture wouldn't be my first choice, however, it's one way to economically provide a lot of light with few shadows. Since you indicate you're working with a KD, I'd encourage you to question him or her on this important aspect of the design. Any KD with a modicum of training will know these things.
...See More
modernhouse
14 years ago
You did not say what wattage the schoolhouse pendants would be. Also whether they are incandescent or fluorescent lights. Also, how high off the island to you plan to mount them?

The schoolhouse pendants in general will give you a great quality of lighting. They will provide lots of ambient lighting, and you will get much more "bounce" from your white ceiling than your current light box. Ambient light is important to give an open feeling to a room. Your kitchen has dark floors and wall, so you do not get much reflected light from them.

I am not a fan of recessed lights for general lighting because downlight is not good for people. It creates very unflattering long shadows on the face. Also, you get no uplight for the ceiling. Recessed lighting is great for task lighting.

With your schoolhouse pendants, you can experiment with the height you mount the lights if you want more light on the island. If you have the room, you can mount a couple of adjustable recessed lights on either side of the island on the long dimension. Use PAR30 75W bulbs semi-spot, and angle them onto the island. The idea is to create cross lighting onto the island. I think you can get recessed fixtures that angle up to 30 degrees. This may not work because the hanging pendants will interfere with the light path from the angled recessed lights.

One more piece of advice is to put the pendants and recessed lights on separate switches. You may find the pendants are enough light and only need to use them.

Good Luck...
tntwalter
Original Author
14 years ago
thanks so much.

When you say 3 on each side of island you mean short walls? I was thinking following the L ? NO...

the contractor came out and bid for 7 but with DH so I'm not sure what they said...

I've also since learned to look for juno? and air tight? and 5" ... it's all so confusing.

Thanks.
modernhouse
14 years ago
Juno Lighting is a very good company that make a very high quality product. I recommend you study their residential recessed lighting catalog. The back sections have a lot of information on different bulbs and beam spreads to help you determine your light coverage.

"Air tight" refers to the recessed fixture being sealed so it can be place next to insulation. If the fixture was a non-IC fixture, then you must have a few inches of clearance between the fixture and the insulation. The recessed fixtures can get quite hot.

Good Luck with your project...

Here is a link that might be useful: Juno residential lighting catalog
macv
14 years ago
I prefer the 3 3/4" diameter recessed fixtures from Lightolier so the light source is not so obvious. These lights must be spaced closer together.

"Air tight" refers to an air sealed fixture housings that are required in ceilings below roofs and unheated attics. Insulation contact (IC) refers to fixture housings that are required if insulation will be close to or in contact with the fixture. It is possible for a housing to be rated for both conditions (AIC). These fixtures often must be lamped with less wattage to avoid excessive heat build up. Pay close attention to the catalog in this regard in order to avoid fixtures that automatically cycle on and off or lamps that do not throw enough light on counters.

Downlights only make people look bad when they are located over their heads so keep them over the counters and avoid lighting floors.

Schoolhouse/Lab lights are huge. 2 or 3 are all that is needed over the island and they throw a lot of light upward but don't get the glass globe type.

There should be 2 recessed lights over the sink to avoid shadows.

Related Stories

Help Me Design My Wine Cellar - Please!

MOST POPULAR 9 Real Ways You Can Help After a House Fire

By Alison Hodgson

Suggestions from someone who lost her home to fire — and experienced the staggering generosity of community

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Your Space Can Help You Get Down to Work. Here's How

By Laura Gaskill

Feed your creativity and reduce distractions with the right work surfaces, the right chair, and a good balance of sights and sounds

Storage Help for Small Bedrooms: Beautiful Built-ins

By Becky Harris

Squeezed for space? Consider built-in cabinets, shelves and niches that hold all you need and look great too

STORAGE Downsizing Help: Shelve Your Storage Woes

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look to built-in, freestanding and hanging shelves for all the display and storage space you need in your smaller home

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

KITCHEN DESIGN Here's Help for Your Next Appliance Shopping Trip

By Vanessa Brunner

It may be time to think about your appliances in a new way. These guides can help you set up your kitchen for how you like to cook

LIGHTING Get Your Home's Recessed Lighting Right

By Elements of Style

Learn the formula for how much light a room needs plus how to space downlights, use dimmers and more

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

BATHROOM DESIGN Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Clearances, codes and coordination are critical in small spaces such as a powder room. Here’s what you should know

Sponsored

More Discussions

fixture source?

4

Boob lights to flat; ceiling fan flush

0

Beams and pendant lights in long hallway

14

Educate me on lighting, please!

7

Will this Chandelier light our dining room enough?

10