Other lights besides pendants over island?

9 years ago

We're making a lot of changes in the kitchen (ss appliances, staining, paint, etc.). Here's a pic showing the current lighting and 6'x3' island. This was beginning progress pic.
{{!gwi}}

Did anyone here choose to use just cans or semi flush drum shade? Maybe a single drum chandelier? - Just something simple that isn't multiple pendants?

We have a 6" can over the sink and under cabinet lights. We're planning to install other ceiling cans (on dimmers). Without getting real lengthy I have mixed feelings on pendant lights. I suppose style wise I feel like maybe cans are a safer long term option. (Resale isn't an issue concern.)

Comments (10)

Jillius
9 years ago
We have cans over our peninsula. I can't standing having things hanging in my face or in the middle of where I am looking.

They are pretty, but I am focused on a lot of things when I am cooking, and I don't want to have to also think about not whacking my head or hands on a light.

I put other pretty things in my kitchen instead.

If you install LED retrofits in normal j-boxes above your island (rather than traditional cans), they look just like cans, but can be switched to pendants any time.
amykath
9 years ago
Does the current fixture bother you in terms of sight lines and the feel of a less open space? If yes, then I'd just use cans. If not a nice chandelier would look lovely!
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huango
9 years ago
Being short, I can't stand looking up at bare light bulbs.
My peninsula is only 5x3, so I didn't want more than 1 thing hanging.
We have short ceilings.
There's can lighting in the rest of the kitchen.

So I got this semi-flush "chandelier".
Was a little nervous during design; a GWebber called it diner-dive bathroom light.
But I love it and it fits in great!

sorry for the bad quality picture:
{{gwi:2139232}}

Amanda
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Jillius - Thank you for the info about the LED retrofits. I didn't know about them and will keep that in mind! If doing 6", would two or three over the island be best? 6'x3'.

Aktillery - I wanted to update the old fixture and knew pendants were the most common/popular. I like to keep things on each end of the island and plan to continue that so I like that the current fixture, even though there are two lights, stems from the center. I think two pendants would bug me visually and I think I'd find three small ones cluttery feeling. I just think I'll tire of them. I do like the idea of a chandelier.

This is the new light I have over the table. Could I get away with a smaller/mini chandelier over the center of the island? Interestingly, I don't think I'd be bothered by two small/mini chandeliers. I think it's the pendants hanging down that I wouldn't like.
{{!gwi}}

Huango - Thank you for posting a photo. I like that how that looks and looks really great in your kitchen. There isn't much inspiration out there for anything besides pendants.
amykath
9 years ago
I would do a mini chandelier in the same color without shades.
MizLizzie
9 years ago
shesharee, your kitchen looks very similar to mine in both size and layout. My designer felt that the space was too small for pendants over the island, and further, that there was no way to center the pendants with a rather elaborate range hood which kept drawing the eye across the room. Her compromise was canned lighting throughout the kitchen, and a single pendant light centered over the sink to match the chandelier over the kitchen table. It really worked -- the single pendant is subtle and elegant -- and I was so happy I did not override her instinct. Good luck with whatever you decide.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Aktillery - Thanks. I like the idea of a mini chandelier best besides the possibility of using cans. My current light is 32" from the counter. Should a mini chandelier be at the same height?

Mizlizzie - That's a great idea and makes sense! We just added the can light above the sink a few months back. I didn't think I'd like a pendant hanging down there. I kept coming back to thinking it would be visually cluttered for me with lighting hanging over the island too. That would have worked well I think. Long story, but I can't see DH being too willing to change that can light at this point.

How many 6" cans should go over the island?
nini804
9 years ago
Do you like lanterns? I have 2 quite large lanterns over my 4.5 x 9' island. They have a nice presence, but don't seem cluttery. They definitely aren't in my sight line when I am working.
oldbat2be
9 years ago
Techlighting monorail - you can add any (clip-on) light you like to the monorail track:

{{gwi:2139233}}
User
Original Author
9 years ago
Nini - I do like lanterns. I prefer the look of the open bowl type ones, but can't imagine trying to keep them clean. I wasn't sure if they would look ok with the new light.

Oldbat - That is neat. I'm learning of stuff I never knew existed. I will check that out too, thanks!