Recommendations for kitchen lighting

[stevem999]

Hi everyone,

Kitchen refit/rebuild has recently started and I'm looking at how best to light the room.

Main priority is the ceiling lights. I want some sort of recessed 'downlighter' style lights which will be going in a new vaulted ceiling alongside Velxu windows. Some of the lights will be 9ft or so in the air, so longevity of bulb will be a key consideration 'cos they'll be a pain to change! Also want something that runs off mains voltage without a transformer. Kitchen is 3m x 3m. Seen lots of talk about compact flourescent bulbs and LED bulbs, but would really like some recommendations.

The other thing I want is some under-cupboard lighting. To be honest I think this is largely aesthetic rather than functional, but again it is to be wired into the mains (could cut off the plug from all the plug-in ones??) and should have good bulb life. Reckon this could be an ideal location for LED? Seen quite a few LED striplights.

Any advice and recommendations on what I should be considering would be appreciated. Head chocker with CFL's, LED's, halogens, energy saving, link lights etc etc.

Many thanks

Steve

 

[ban-all-sheds]

If you want recessed lights don't use 2" diameter ones - they aren't designed to provide room illumination. Go for something larger, for example:



If you've got a high ceiling, what about a cornice, or a dropped ceiling section with concealed cold-cathode lighting?



For under-cabinet lights slim linkable fluorescents such as these:



are ideal.

 

[pjcomp]

If you have downlighters you'll need the undercabinet lights (agree with BAS the fluorescents are the best - last longer and give better light than the others). Downlighters, especially the spotlight style, give a cone of light which leaves darker patches around the room, and in a kitchen you'll be casting your own shadow over the work area. The undecabinet lights give light directly down on to the work top where it's needed.

PJ

 

[Steve]

Ban's first link to the qwikfast fittings is a good one. I have these fittings in my kitchen with 9ft ceilings and I cant speak highly enough of them. Very bright, very quick to start, see here for my mini-review:

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