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Need help with recessed lighting position in kitchen!

9 years ago

Hi! We are remodeling our kitchen, and doing the lighting all first. An electrician came out today and asked where I wanted the can lights placed, and I really have no clue! Are there rules to it? I don't want too many or too few, so please help! Please excuse the mess and the icky ness of the kitchen right now...we are about to remodel:). Thanks for any help!!
Ps..we do have a desk on the eighth and side, so that's throwing off the symmetry!

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Route66Services
9 years ago
Except that your kitchen is larger than mine, my layout is a similar shape, including a big fluorescent monster in the middle of the ceiling.
Like you, I had no clue how to get the right amount of light, and I ended up even more confused after reading forum messages full of conflicting opinions, 4" vs 5" vs 6" cans, 2700K vs 3000K, this lumen number vs that number, this make of can light vs that make, formulas based on sq ft, etc.
So I went to Lowe's and looked at the can light display and noticed that the UtiliTech Pro LED Recessed Retrofit Downlight (#0113539) was the brightest (6", 800 lumen, 2700K), plus I liked the "ribbed" trim ring and the fact that the trim and bulb are a single unit. The electrician installed them last week and I could not be happier.
HD carries can lights and Lowe's has other models with different lumens and K ratings that you might like better, but I wanted an economical light that provided a bright, well-lit kitchen, and these were just what I was looking for.
There are probably going to be UtiliTech Haters responding to this message, but my rebuttal is that 1) they are a simple one-piece installation, 2) only cost $29.00 each, 3) have a 50,000 hour average life, and 4) if I'm not happy with them or they fail for some reason, at least I got to enjoy a nice bright kitchen for a while without spending much money.
One possibility for your kitchen would be 6" cans, two on the left side, one in the middle where the fluorescent is, and two on the right side. Start out with 800 lumen, 2700K and if that doesn't work for you, just try other combinations until you're happy with the result.
I just started re-doing my kitchen and as you can see in the photo, just three cans provide more than enough light in that small space. Lighting on the right side will consist of two hanging fixtures, one over the sink and one over a small island that will go where that grey table is.
P.S. I don't work for Lowe's or UtiliTech.

Here's some kitchen lighting info that might help:
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/lighting/msg010127153310.html

This post was edited by Route66Services on Wed, Jul 16, 14 at 9:43
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Larger cans can be spaced farther, so there's less "swiss cheese" or "airport runway" look. Larger cans are also cheaper. I would suggest checking the price difference in your area since the 4" cans were twice as much as 6" cans in my local....wouldn't even want to see the price of a 3"! Either way you choose, make sure to put enough in. Having a bright well lit kitchen is wonderful!
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Your contractor's layout is preferable, though moving the lights closer to the counter tops would be fine - between 24" - 30". If you use lights like the Cree CR4 or CR6, there will be sufficient spillover to augment the light from the pendants over the island in the center of the room. If the pendants provide insufficient light, they can be swapped out/ higher output led lamps may be used. Rationale The counter tops will be better lit with UCL than cans. Even if you do have the ability to put can lights over the counter tops, the distance to the counter top reduces the amount of incident light. There should be sufficient distance from the crown molding around the upper cabinets to the cans so that the trim can be fit and look properly spaced. A more regular pattern is preferable as it isn't like a random pattern of holes in cheese. Eyeball cans are more troublesome in the long run. The final location of the cans will be determined by the layout of the ceiling joists as well as obstructions above the ceiling board. There has been ample discussion on the DIY led recessed lighting guide for kitchens thread on this topic
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I am trying to interpret what you described with only pictures of a ceiling. It appears you have a single 4' fluorescent cloud light, and kitchen peninsula island containing the sink (and no seating?), and another table (or cabinet island?) in the window 'nook' with a ceiling fixture. I would agree with the 'nook' table having a multi-light fixture, one predominantly glass to not block the view from the sink. You do not need to light the small floor space around this table with recessed cans. Then recessed cans along the cabinets and over the peninsula. The size of cans would be better at 4", locations unable to advise without better pictures of the plan layout (or sketch). Basically they should be located at the counter edge in front of cabinets and (probably) centered over the sink. If a light is at the ref/cabinet it will move out of line with the others and if that is a pantry door some consideration of how that is lit too. Don't forget to knock the ridges down so the recessed trim rings sit flush against the ceiling, and insist the central ceiling box is eliminated, not coverplated.
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