[altc81]

Current kitchen dimensions are 10’ x 18’, long kitchen yeah with mostly u-shape layout. Planning on 4” LED cans with a quantity of either 6 or 8, haven’t decided yet. My question is how far off the upper cabinets would you place them?

Another thing, whether or not I do 6 or 8, one light is going to be nestled about my range hood, will that cast a shadow? I would say yes if I only had one light, but knowing I’ll have either 5-7 more lights, I should be able to still see my water boil right? Ha

Oh, btw I dont actually have a good yet, but planning on it, I assume more vents have lights on them as well these days.

 

[3onthetree]

Cans aligned with counter edge (24") so you don't shadow the workspace standing there. I don't know if they make hoods now without lights. If a can is above be aware you might have glare/reflection (more than just a hot spot) depending on style and finish of hood.

 

[Chris616]

It would help us to help you if you were to share a drawing of the kitchen layout.

Unlike some other rooms, in a kitchen it’s better to position the lighting for the task surfaces and let the spillover light the non-task areas. As a point of reference, our kitchen is about 1.5X the square footage of yours and is using 14 LED recessed fixtures with GU10 bulbs. Five of those fixtures light up the 12’ peninsula counter main working area. We went to the trouble of mounting the fixtures temporarily early in the reno to check what the surface lighting would be like on the counter.

If you’ve got upper cabinets, LED strip lighting under them is a good way to put light onto the counter below with no possibility of shadows.

Using fixtures that allow the bulb to be pivoted gives more options for getting the light where it’s needed. By using those we were able to put one either side of the main sink, angled slightly, so that the person washing dishes wasn’t working in their own shadow.

Chris

 

[u2slow]

Cans aligned with counter edge (24") so you don't shadow the workspace standing there.

I was going to say 12" from the upper cabinets - which is the same thing if you have 12" deep cabinets. :smile:


For the effort of adding lights, and having good task lighting.... undercabinet for me.

 

[altc81]

That’s not a bad idea. I suppose I can sketch out a tentative layout of the kitchen for some visual help.
I guess I really haven’t considered placement of the lights in comparison to counters. I’m kind of just going off how they looking in the rest of the house, symmetrical in the living room, bedrooms, etc. And quite a few of the ‘recessed light calculators’ online show placements online and spaced accordingly. Kind of doesn’t help in a ready world application.

 

[altc81]

Rough sketch of a layout here. I think after upper cabinets are hung within the ‘U’ and the fridge with a 24” deep panty or more upper cabinets next to it, there won’t be much ceiling left. At least that’s how it appears. This is why I feel 4” cans are probably better than the 6”. I don’t want to junk up the ceiling and see only can lights.

 

[3onthetree]

Symmetry is important for general lighting in other rooms, but kitchen not as critical. Your cabinets are not symmetrical, and your eye doesn't notice as much if you have to step out a row for a deeper cabinet. 24" out from wall even if you have undercab lighting.

4" can layout to get the ball rolling, not sure what will happen at the ref, and sink option is put (2) 3" instead of (1) 4" can.

 

[altc81]

Something like actually could work for me. Above the sink I was considering the two cans, or possibly two pendants. I didn’t think of using the 3” though. That could also work. I might play with the idea of a fixture in the center as well, something decorative.

 

[Two Knots]

These cans throw a lot of light. I have five in my 8 x 10 kitchen...
the rest of the kitchen is a 9 x 12 breakfast room with a fan light.
I usually only have two on, and truthfully the one in the middle
lights up the whole area.

 

[altc81]

I have a good layout of a kitchen remodel we’re very happy with. Still having concerns with the can layout. I’ve mocked up temporarily 8 4” cans on the joists right now. They’re spaced evenly for a symmetrical layout. Around 30” away from the finished walls. This gives me 18" away from my upper cabinets. The only setback I seem to be running into is the fridge and pantry in the one corner... if we stay with the 24” deep pantry and cabinet above the fridge, along with 3” crown, this only gives me around 1” space between the crown and the trim on the light, which I’m not to happy with. If I stay with the symmetrical look, Id have to move them further away from my standard base and upper cabinets. Again, which I don’t want ridiculous amounts of shadowing going on.

Any other recommendation. (Ignore the placement of the lighting on this plan)

 

[altc81]

Addition to last post...

I’m still considering placing cans in accordance to just the counter tops and cabinets, without any symmetry. I understand can lights are most practical for general lighting. I will also be having under cabinet lighting installed.

 

[3onthetree]

I'm sticking with my post #7 layout. It's symmetrical with sub-symmetrical parts :wink2:

The farther away from 24" you create a shadow when working at the counter. 24" though will cause more shadow on the back counter from the uppers, but that is not typically within the work area of the counter (the front 12"). If you pull the lights out further from the counter, which is perfectly acceptable, that means the undercabinet lighting is much more important to eliminate the people shadow. Also there is no need (functional or mood-wise) to light the center of the open floor of a small kitchen or put pendants over the sink.

The other thing I notice is it looks like a 24" walk-thru opening next to the pantry. If so, that's tight for the hub of a house and 24" doors are usually delegated to walk-in or linen closets.

 

[altc81]

I'm sticking with my post #7 layout. It's symmetrical with sub-symmetrical parts
The other thing I notice is it looks like a 24" walk-thru opening next to the pantry. If so, that's tight for the hub of a house and 24" doors are usually delegated to walk-in or linen closets.

And I appreciate it! You have no idea how many times I keep going back and considering it. BTW the 24” walk-thru is just a tiny hall with a half bath to the right and furnace closet to the left. Thanks for noticing!

 

[miamicuse]

as you walk in from the north side (of your drawing), that's the kitchen back door? If that person looks up your two lights in front of them will not be centered in that space. Not that it's critical, but just shows that symmetry is very subjective. Some prefer symmetry on the ceiling, or floor, to the table, to the window, or to a specific space. I tend to agree that symmetry with respect to the ceiling with so much cabinets is not as important. Personally I would take the two lights on the east side, and slide them to the right until they are centered with the back door space (the space including the wall with the light switch), then pull the other lights to the left a bit more to even it up. Pendant over the sink may be a better option, and may be the two to the right can be controlled separately, with three way switches, or motion activated switches.

 

[altc81]

Is putting a light fixture, decorative, in the middle of the kitchen ceiling still a thing? Or is it considered tacky these days? I might even think of a ceiling box, on a separate switch, with a blank plate (plain, round white) in the center just for future consideration.