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Discussion Forum

Kitchen Counter Lighting

jerseyjimer | Posted in General Discussion on September 24, 2013 07:36am

Redoing a 10×11 kitchen and trying to come up with a counter lighting scheme.  My original plan was to have recessed cans in the soffits over the cabinets along with undercabinet lighting but I’m now wondering if I should scrap the recessed cans and just go with undercabinet and general lighting.

The problem is that a dropped 3×12 supporting beam which forms the front of the cabinet soffit on one wall only extends out to 24″.    Even using 4″ cans,  the center of the light fixture would only fall 7″ from the face of the cabinet doors which I suspect will throw a harsh glare off the glazed cabinet doors.  From everything I’ve read the light should be centered over the edge of the counter or further out.  The center of 4″ cans would fall 5″ inside of the counter edge. 

Two questions.  First, do you agree that the recessed cans would be too close to the cabinets and second,  will undercabinet and general lighting be enough or should I explore other solutions..  

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  1. calvin | Sep 24, 2013 08:58pm | #1

    jersey

    Having the centers off the counter very much, makes you and your head cast a shadow on the countertop.  I've put 4" cans 6" out from the cab face with pretty nice success.  Get one, hang a simulated cab. on the wall, hot wire the light and hold it up there-see what you think.

    Layout is important that close to the cabs-the halo of light will show on whatever cab sits by it-so make it even with something (cab middle-door center-etc).

    For room light-most cans we install are located in relation to the aisles-and whatever else makes for well lit balance.

    And remember too, dimmers can be your friend to change the mood or impact of lighting.

    UC lights if done well give you a well lit work surface and draw attention to the backsplash (so make that nice as well.  If you have all sorts of counter appliances -micro, toaster, coffeemaker, mixer etc-it's a waste of good light.

    UC lights with a couple hundred watts at the ceiling will give you plenty of light.  With the demise of the incandescent bulb-think about the alternatives.

    1. jerseyjimer | Sep 25, 2013 09:00am | #2

      Good Points

      Thanks Calvin.  Hadn't thought about the dimmer idea.  If there was too much glare I could dial them down and throw a more subdued light.  Or the idea of testing them either.   I will give them a dry run before committing to the idea.  

      Are there any particular can designs that would be more acceptable for this application or does the type of bulb used determine the quality of the light i.e flood, spot, etc. .    Wondering if I should check out a lighting store or just go with what the big box stores like HD and Lowes offer.  

      1. calvin | Sep 26, 2013 06:59am | #4

        jersey

        I deal with two lighting stores in our area.  While they can go overboard in design, they have the experience and contacts that someone working 20 hours a week might not have.

        Lighting designers that are worth their salt have a whole lot more to offer if you can find one.

        Dimmers and several switching options make even the simplest designs shine.

        Best of luck.

  2. User avater
    Condoman | Sep 25, 2013 11:42am | #3

    Don't rule out the LED plate lights that are part of some retrofit can LED's.  Some are J box suitable and can be dimmed.  They offer different sizes and the color is pleasant. 

    I put the t91's (no longer available) in my kitchen and love the coverage.

  3. jerseyjimer | Sep 27, 2013 08:39am | #5

    Wish I could remove this darn beam, it's really slowing down my renovation.  But it's holding up the rafters of the kitchen wall bumpout that the original builder seems to have thrown on the house as an afterthought.

    I don't think normal depth recessed cans are going to work.  With 2x6 rafters I'm not going to be able to get enough insulation over them and they would be an energy hole in the ceiling.   So I'm searching for some sort of low voltage and/or low profile lighting solution. 

    Never realized there were so many lighting options out there.  The LEDs seem to be the way to go as long as they don't break the budget.   And they put out enough lumens. 

    I plan to continue this 24" soffit around the entire perimeter of the kitchen which will give me a 6ft x 6ft x 1ft deep recess in the ceiling.  Maybe put cove molding around it with concealed rope light, along with an array of cans and/or center light in the 6x6 ceiling area.  That should provide good general ighting and in fact more than what this kitchen has had for the last 50 years.

    Undercabinet lighting will be a further plus but I'd like to back this up with some overhead task lighting if possible.   Since the edge of this soffit will be even with the edge of the counter it would be great if I could find some sort of low profile lighting device that to go along the edge.  I'm going to check out some lighting stores and see what they have to offer.

    1. calvin | Sep 28, 2013 07:16am | #6

      jersey

      visit the Trimtex site (drywall edge etc treatments).

      They have an array of inset channels that allow the insertion of lighting (rope maybe or LED strip lighting).

      If it fits the dacor, might be an interesting option or something you could incorporate.

      http://www.trim-tex.com/product_catalog.php?cat_display=viewcategory&catid=30

      They had a real nice print catalogue that was easier to follow-see if you can get one in the mail.

      Here is a picture gallery from their sister site-Drywall Art

      http://www.drywallart.com/gallery/

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