what lights do you dim?

13 years ago

I'm trying to get all of the basics down on paper before crunch time so I have (hopefully) less on the spot decisions. Last night I tried to figure out the lighting.

My kitchen will be open to the dining room and I know I want the center kitchen light to be dimmable as the DR chandelier is now. 2 separate switches.

The other choices are harder. I know that they type of light that I get will dictate whether or not it can be on a dimmer switch. I need to keep the budget somewhat reasonable.

Recessed lights - my small kitchen will have 6, 2 over the sink area, 2 over the peninsula, 2 general. Is there any advantage for those to be dimmable?

2 glass front cabinets will have accent lighting. I think I want those dimmable to act as night lights.

UC lighting. Is there any reason that those should be dimmable if I don't think that I will use them as accent or night lights?

Anything else I'm missing?

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Comments (14)

fran1523
13 years ago
My UC lights have a high and a low level so that gives me a choice although I tend to use the high. My overhead recessed lights are dimmable and I occasionally use that feature.
palimpsest
13 years ago
I have dimmable general lighting, and recommended dimmable undercabinet lighting. One of my clients used that and its great.
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gryane
13 years ago
Personally, I prefer if all my lights to be dimmable! That's just me though.
focylrac
13 years ago
I am with gryane.
All of mine are dimmable including undercabinet.
I use all levels available.
SO glad I have all the options.
User
13 years ago
I have can lights in the perimeter of the kitchen with CFLS, and not dimmable as I haven't had luck in the past with dimmable CFL bulbs.

The lights over the breakfast table and the kitchen center lights (two semi-flush) are incandescent and dimmable.

I didn't do UC or IC lighting.

I'm amazed at how bright my new kitchen is! Love it!
beekeeperswife
13 years ago
If I can turn it on, I can dim it. Except the light in the fridge and the oven. But the u/c lights do, the light in the range hood, the chandys, the recessed lights, etc.
stacys
13 years ago
I have 4 sets on dimmers and love it! My DH thought I went overboard but it gives so many options.
1 central dining chandelier on dimmer, 2 matching tiffany pendant & chandelier in kitchen on 1 dimmer, 4 UC puck xenon on dimmer, 6 or 7 recessed 4" in kitch on dimmer
katsmah
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you. My original idea was for all to be dimmable, am I correct that they need to be LED or XENON?

Do those types of lights need special dimmer controls?
newcastlemom
13 years ago
Katsmah, your electrician should be helpful on this one. Mine is bigtime into design so I get that bonus. I'm dimming my UC's and I know that dictates what kind of lights I can buy and the price for installation. There are some gurus on the lighting forum with excellent advice for products and features, esp. dimming and where to shop, pros and cons of LED vs. fluorescent vs. xenon. Some LED's can't be dimmed but I'll get the kind that can. Bigger investment up front for LED's but way better energy savings and I want that flexibility. Good luck.
stacys
13 years ago
our xenon puck (wac hr 86) lights required a transformer. i believe it was placed between the power source the lights, but not entirey sure. Can ask DH if you neeed, he's the resident electrician.
I like dimmer switches-they look like light swtiches but are dimmers. no special ones needed.
bostonpam
13 years ago
All of our lights are dimmable including over the cabinets. We use them (dimmed) when eating on the patio at night so looking at the house don't burn our eyes. Actually, we have a pool and some lighted sprayers and the kitchen lights would detract from it. I have dimmable Xenon lights from Kichler.
sombreuil_mongrel
13 years ago
I have dimmers on the cans and sconces. The UC xenon is just enough light to illuminate the dark soapstone, but I see no reason to dim it, it works as a nightlight when it's the last thing left on after sunset.
I have cans at the entry points switched separately from the main set, and they also make great nightlights when dimmed down all the way.
The sconces are on either side of the TV, and have to be dimmed for comfortable viewing, but my "desk" is there as well, and at 100% the 4-60 watt bulbs are nice for check-writing and bill-reading.
Dimmers are easy to add later to incandescent line-voltage sources, but have to be planned for in advance with any fluorescent or Low-voltage type.
Casey
katsmah
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all for that additional info. It is sounding like xenon is the way to go for dimmable accent and UC lighting. I only have a 2K electrical allowance (excluding UC and ceiling fixtures which I have to purchase) and am afraid if will deplete quickly if I'm not proactive with my electrical wants/needs.
igloochic
13 years ago
I'm with the "all dimmer" crowd. I don't have any lights you can't dim, including the IC and UC which I like a little dimmer for parties or when we move from the kitchen to the dining room.