Kitchen Lighting System

I'm planning a new kitchen and want to get the lighting as right as possible and would welcome advice.

Underneath the wall cupboards, I am thinking of just fitting florescent tubes to illuminate the work counter below. Over the sink and the food preparation area (over which there are no cupboards), I am thinking of putting in ceiling mounted halogen spot lights. Do you think this plan would work or can I do better?

In the middle of the kitchen , there is a table where we eat/read/work on the pc. What sort of lighting should I put over this?

Ed

Reply to
Ed
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Ed, I've just done exactly what you have suggested. I had the option to have spots under the wall units, but opted for the fluro's as they give (to me) a nicer longer light and are cheaper. I had the option of two spots for the ceiling, one of which gives off a 'yellow' light, the other a more 'white' - I had the white and it's lovely. If you're reading etc I wouldn't have anything energy saving if you can help it. I have a normal light in that area with the spots contained to the kitchen work area

Reply to
MikeS

Hey great.. but let me get this clear..

You have fluoro tubes under the wall units and u have 2 spots as well, AND u also have a general central light too?

Ed

Reply to
Ed

Our kitchen lighting needs sorting out as well, at the moment I've got a 3' fluors tucked alongside a beam above the kitchen sink,then a 20w

12v Dichroic over the hob, and 2x golfball low energy lights over the kitchen table. The reason there isn't more lighting is that the ceiling has semi exposed floor joists and there is no space to insert downlights. Anyway just to say that the golfball LE lights are really excellent for reading/working, they take a couple of minutes to get fully bright but at 8W they are as bright as 60W lamps and I would recommend them. They are in a simple pendant fitting with white glass shades that hang down 2' 6" above the table. Lamps 2-4-1 from Tesco.
Reply to
AJH

Yes, very simple to do.

Reply to
MikeS

I like undercupboard florescents. Very effective.

Use Halogen spotlights exactly over the areas you need light. A spot light over the sink works very well.

For the table light use a chandelier type light. Low down if possible and even better if you can use a dimmer switch.

Adam

Reply to
ARWadsworth

They are indeed, also cheap to use and spread the light lovely when working on the work surface.

That's what I did. Also one covering the back door and the internal door, with various in more used areas.

Again thats what I did, but not the dimmer. Not sure if I would like the lights too low. The missus bought a small table lamp from homebase for lower light conditions.

Reply to
MikeS

Re haolgen lights just remember that all incandescent lamps are being phased out so unless you buy a lifetimes supply you will only be putting off the day when you will need to fit new low energy fittings. As I said the 8w golfball lamps give off a really bright light and great for over a kitchen table not (candle lamps in a chandelier over a kitchen table sounds a bit odd) Downlights are still a problem at the moment due to the delayed start up time. One going they are ok although the best ones to go for are the 11watt or 13watt versions (expensive) Apparently new Super LEDs are being developed and as they switch on instantly could possibly be the way forward as by all accounts the light is very similar as incandescents and they don't flicker either.

Reply to
AJH

I meant to spell it halogen!

Reply to
AJH

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