Basic kitchen lighting help needed - locations/switches

10 years ago

This is my first post, though I've been lurking since undertaking a kitchen remodel a few months back. We are completely demo'd and just starting electrical, so finalizing this design is WAY overdue :)

I'm looking for some input on both locations for recessed lighting as well as switch arrangement. I've scrawled blue boxes and numbers on the switch locations that are planned, but am struggling with which switches should be included in each area.

Currently I've spaced the cans approximately 3' apart and 36" from the wall (recommendation from other posts on the forum). I was toying with spacing them in the center of the aisle instead, and have seen quite a few other members struggling with this same issue.

Right now i'm planning to control the light above the table at switch locations 1 and 3. Control the recessed lights from location 2 and 3. Pendents for the island at 2, and under cabinet and sink task lighting at 4.

Any insight you can give me would be helpful... Am i on the right track?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

gpraceman55
10 years ago
What is your ceiling height? The concern with moving the recessed lights too far from the wall is that you will cast shadows onto the counters when standing in front of them trying to do prep work. It is less of an issue if you have high ceilings. Also, what size recessed fixtures will you use and what bulbs will you use in them?

A 3 ft spacing does seem a bit close, if you happen to be using 6" fixtures. We are using the Cree CR6 LED bulbs (EcoSmart brand from Home Depot) in 6" fixtures and have a 4 ft spacing. We also have 9 ft ceilings. That provides a good amount of lighting for our kitchen.

Unless you have ripped down your ceiling, you will need to be flexible. Once I started tearing into our ceiling, I had to revise our layout due to obstructions (joists, pipes, vents, braces, etc.).

This post was edited by gpraceman on Sat, Aug 3, 13 at 14:37
meek95
10 years ago
If it were me, I would like to be able to turn on the recessed lights when I walk into the room at #1.
Related Discussions
pool light switch location
Q
Comments (7)
I need to get it on a wireless remote or switch. I have Colorlogic lights and the switch is inside my pool timer. By design, I put my equipment pad behind a wall so it won't be seen from the pool, deck or terrace, only thing is when I want to change colors or turn on a specific color I have to flip the switch (on/off), walk 10 ft to see what color the pool is on and then go back and forth till I get the right color. I guess with any other light it is on or off, no problem but Colorlogics are a different ball game since there are 12 colors. God forbid if I pass the color that I want. It is awkward when trying to show off my lights to friends/family cause I have to walk back and forth like a moran. I definitely have to automate this process. I'll have to try PoolGeek's suggestion, then it doesn't matter where the switch is.
...See More
Totally dead light switch - need some help
Q
Comments (8)
Three pairs of wires would me think that one is the feed in (the line, from the panel, but maybe with a box or splice in between electrically speaking), and two are feed outs (the loads). A continuity tester is useful in identifying the loads. If this is so then all of the whites should be spliced together, and grounding should be accomplished as well as possible. If both switches are single pole and operated before the problem then each of the switches should go to one of the blacks. The remaining black (feed in) should be made into a pigtail (a wye) " Y > with each end of the Y attached to the screw on the switch that you did not use for the feed out. This assumes that both switches have just two screws not counting any ground screw. If the fan used to work and the wiring is the way I just described then I think you probably had a loose splice in the switchbox, but I wonder why you got no signal in the region of the switch with your tester. You said you picked it up 3-4 inches to the left. There some wiring schemes that could defy this, but while you have the wires separated check if any other outlets are de-energized.
...See More
HELP! Need your advice: bad location for switch in backsplash end
Q
Comments (22)
But if that 10" wall space wasn't there, the inspector wouldn't insist on a receptacle to cover the fixed panel of the sliding glass door, would they? Yes, that is what they make floor boxes for ;) or, I would put it in the side of the cabinet. Many inspectors would also consider the side of the cabinet without doors as wall space. Really? They have reworded that part at least twice that I know of, and it is still confusing to most. The CEU training illustrations all show a low receptacle on the back side of peninsulas, presumably because it is a room divider forming a wall for the dining room (even where there is an overhang for seating, which I would call a bar) Oddly enough, non of the illustrations show a receptacle on the back sides of island cabinets, which I would think is what a fixed, freestanding bar is, but an island is not always a "room divider" between the kitchen and dining or other room. The inspectors do not often include the 2' end of a peninsula (actually more like 20" at the toekick) in that 6' measured along the floor line either because it could be considered part of the kitchen, not a room divider, less than 2', and not part of the dining as is the back side. Essentially, if a blank side (no doors) of a cabinet faces another room, other than the kitchen, then it is counted in the "spaces measured around corners, and unbroken at the floor line", and as a "room divider"... according to most inspectors interpretations I know of.
...See More
Need help with lighting over kitchen - how many lights, switch?, etc.
Q
Comments (1)
@jessicabaskerville, Given the extra ceiling height, your open area plan, and overall island size I suggest using 3 pendants of the size you're currently considering. See attached image for approximate layout. Keep the height so anyone standing at the island can see through to other spaces un-obstructed by the base of the pendants. The island pendants should be on a separate dimmer for better overall control of kitchen lighting. Also, be careful of your bulb choice since bare bulbs will produce some glare (another reason to use a separate dimmer). Please post pics when your project is completed.
...See More
gpraceman55
10 years ago
If that double door is to the outside, then it might be better to control the recessed lights from #1 and #2
aj2four0
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the responses all.

The ceiling height is 8ft and its torn down currently, so I have good visibility to the rafters on 16" centers. No other obstructions other than these in the whole kitchen location (and I don't' suspect there are any in the dining area either (if there were any recommendations to extend the recessed lights into that part of the room as well).

Notes taken on including #1 in the recessed light switch.

Thanks!
a2gemini
10 years ago
I agree - I have my recessed light switches close to both doors - I ended up putting one switch on the DR wall as the BS would have dissected in 2 and would have looked silly.

My UCL is in 2 locations - one by the sink and the other in the bake zone - it is nice having in both locations but if meant putting a box in my BS and I could have lived with just the sink spot (but I do use the baking area switch...)

My sink light - only by the sink

My decorative center lights - same as my cans. - in your case, this would be your island and maybe you want a switch along the side of the island but island folks can chirp in.

I put the cans so they hit the edge of the counters to decrease shadows - I did have to modify locations once the ceiling was down and I couldn't have them spaced evenly due to plumbing issues.

Basic kitchen lighting help needed - locations/switches

Comments (5)

gpraceman55

meek95

Related Discussions

gpraceman55

aj2four0
Original Author

a2gemini

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Basic kitchen lighting help needed - locations/switches

Comments (5)

gpraceman55

meek95

Related Discussions

gpraceman55

aj2four0Original Author

a2gemini

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

aj2four0
Original Author