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Lighting Kitchens

Best type of LED light for a kitchen

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Remodeling the kitchen. Doing some high hats on the perimeter, most likely 6-7. I want to make sure I select LEDs that are not too blue. Someone told me over 2700k? I currently have no LED lights in my house so I have no idea. I also know there is lumens to consider. The room is about 375 square feet. I like my kitchen to be on the brighter side. There will also be 2 pendant lights over the island and some sort of chandelier over my dining table. I have an open floor plan so I am thinking I will need to probably change the lights in the other rooms eventually to LED? Suggestions welcome! Thanks

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Comments (5)

PRO
Kitchen Tune-up Zeeland, Sales & Design
5 years ago
I have Halo 3500k led's in my kitchen and it is very bright and not blue at all to my eyes. You could go with 3000k too, but 2700k will be yellow.
I have 9 total in 225sqft...I probably could have had few, but I really like a bright room too! I can dim them when I want less.
rantontoo
5 years ago
I used 3000k...a bit “softer-looking” to me than 3500k. The 2700k was just too yellow looking to me but perhaps the closest look to incandescent lighting.
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I do know that specialized dimmers for LED bulbs are a must. CostCo sells them for a reasonable price (IMO). I’m just trying to figure out what a 4000K light source will look like when it is dimmed. I was afraid that the answer would be multiple light sources. Cans in the family room with 4000K and table lamps with 2700? Cans in the bathroom with 4000K and sconces with 2700? Cans in the kitchen with 4000K and under-counter with 2700k? I’m wondering if 3000K or 3500K would work for all needs when on dimmers? Not quite daylight at full strength, but much closer than 2700K. Not quite 2700K when dimmed, but closer than 4000K. ??? I’ve also taken note of the new(er) LEDs that can change temperature from 2700 to 3000 to 3500 to 4000 to 5000 and even 6000! However, I think the CRI on these are low. Do you think this technology will improve? One does not really need all those levels – something like 2700 / 4000 (cri 90+) would be plenty (IMO) on dimmers of course. :-)
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cawaps
5 years ago
2700 is pretty close to old school incandescents. If you don't want it too blue, I would choose something no more than 3000K. You may be able to find a store that demos the various color temperatures (my local Home Depot does), so you can get a better sense of what looks good to you.

Another thing to look for when choosing LED bulbs is the color rendering index. This tells you how good a job the lamp does of showing the true color of objects it is illuminating (compared to daylight). The scale goes to 100. 80 is okay, 90 is pretty good.
dan1888
5 years ago
There's lumens for a work space and ambient lumens. Both can be on dimmers. When you're working on something at a counter, cooktop or sink 450 lumens at the counter is recommended. And you should place the light source in front of where you stand to avoid creating a shadow on your work. Under cabinet leds can help light a work surface. For ambient recessed an inexpensive standard can that accepts an A19 traditional bulb can take a 100w equivalent 11w led you can get at Costco. That provides a lot of light for a broad area. Can and bulb for about $20. A 2" recessed 1500 lumen remodel can go for $100-150 from Acuity Here These should be 3-6 inches in front of the edge of the counter or centered above a sink or cooktop if possible
Sandra Durante
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you everyone - so helpful!

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