{"id":3783,"date":"2022-02-27T21:04:09","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T21:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lightingtutor.com\/?p=3783"},"modified":"2022-08-19T07:53:56","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T07:53:56","slug":"kitchen-recessed-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lightingtutor.com\/kitchen-recessed-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"Kitchen Recessed Lighting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guide to Kitchen Recessed Lighting<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\"Kitchen<\/p>\n

Recessed lights are a type of lighting fixture that is installed directly into a hollow opening inside a ceiling. The light from a recessed lighting fixture illuminates in a downward direction and appears to shine from a hole in the ceiling.<\/p>\n

Recessed lighting in the kitchen provides a sleek, classy, and clean look that can illuminate a space with a warm and inviting ambiance while also providing enough lighting for cooking and entertaining<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Is Recessed Lighting Good for a Kitchen?<\/h2>\n

Kitchen lights should be well-planned and you need enough illumination to help you work efficiently and the lighting fixture should also provide a welcoming feel.<\/p>\n

With its downlight appearance, using recessed lighting in a kitchen can help you accomplish specific kitchen tasks like food preparation and cooking while illuminating the entire area. Recessed lights can also create mood lighting effects. In general, recessed lighting in a kitchen is an ideal option if you want to combine aesthetics with functionality.<\/p>\n

Kitchen recessed lighting offers a clean and minimalist appearance and can be used for the entire kitchen space\u2014including countertops, island bars, cooking area, sink, and even the open floor plan area. Depending on the type of kitchen and cabinets you have, you can use kitchen recessed lights with or without other lighting fixtures, such as the standard flush mount ceiling lights or pendant lights.<\/p>\n

How Many Recessed Lights are Ideal in a Kitchen?<\/h2>\n

Having too many or two few recessed lights is one of the most common mistakes in using kitchen recessed lighting. The number of recessed lights to use will depend on how big your kitchen space is, the natural lighting available, and your personal preference. You should also consider the height of your ceiling and other factors such as the type of lighting used and if you will use other lighting fixtures to illuminate walls and under-cabinet spaces.<\/p>\n

Ideally, you should use one recessed light for every 15-25 square feet of ceiling space to provide even illumination to your entire kitchen area. However, this will still depend on the quantity of lighting you prefer and if you are relying exclusively on recessed ceiling lights or using other lighting fixtures. Consider how much illumination you will need, especially during nighttime when there is no more natural light.<\/p>\n

The following steps will help you calculate how many recessed lights you\u2019ll need for your kitchen:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Measure the entire kitchen space\u2019s square footage.<\/li>\n
  2. Find out the total wattage\/lumens needed for the entire kitchen space by multiplying the kitchen\u2019s square footage by 1.5.<\/li>\n
  3. Choose your preferred recessed light bulbs and take note of the wattage\/lumens per bulb.<\/li>\n
  4. To know the number of recessed light bulbs that you\u2019ll need, divide the total wattage\/lumens needed for the entire kitchen space by your chosen bulb\u2019s wattage\/lumens, as follows:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Total wattage or lumens for the entire kitchen space \u00f7 wattage or lumens per bulb = Number of lights needed<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Recessed Lighting in a Small Kitchen<\/h3>\n

    For a small kitchen, six recessed lights are typically enough in two rows of three along the length of the kitchen space. For recessed lights placed in a perimeter near the edge of the ceiling, a total of eight to 10 recessed lights will be sufficient. However, the exact number of lights you may need will depend on the actual size and shape of your kitchen.<\/p>\n

    Placement of Recessed Lighting in a Kitchen<\/h2>\n

    Kitchen recessed lighting needs to be spaced out properly so that the light spreads across the area evenly. Spacing your recessed lights correctly is important if you don\u2019t want your kitchen to look too dim or too bright. While there are basic kitchen lighting plans, the exact placement of lights will depend on your unique room space.<\/p>\n

    The general rule is to divide the height of your ceiling by two when spacing your recessed lights. For instance, if your ceiling height is 8 feet, you can space recessed lights about 4 feet apart.<\/p>\n

    There are two ways to arrange your recessed lighting in your kitchen:<\/p>\n

    1.Arrange the lights in two parallel rows.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Visualize a line running straight through the center of your ceiling, which will divide the ceiling into two equal halves. Then imagine another line running through the center of each half\u2014these are the parallel rows where you should position your recessed lights.<\/p>\n

    2.Arrange the lights along a perimeter trailing the edge of the ceiling.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Placing the lights around the perimeter of the room is perfect if you have a drop lighting fixture at the center of your kitchen. The perimeter should ideally be about 3 feet from the edge of the ceiling.<\/p>\n

    To light counter areas, recessed lights should be placed around 12 inches to 18 inches away from any cabinets. Kitchen recessed lights that are intended for task lighting should be directly positioned over the edge of the countertop, around 24 inches away from the wall. This placement directs the beam right over the work surface and avoids unnecessary shadows. The recessed light placement should\u00a0 prevent any person\u2019s body from blocking the light when working at the counter. When done this way, it also throws light directly into open drawers.<\/p>\n

    Read more about<\/strong> How to layout recessed lighting<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Kitchen Recessed Lighting Tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    The kitchen is a very unique and special room in your home. It is a place where people gather to relax and also a room where you are trying to accomplish specific tasks. Therefore, the lighting in the kitchen will not only be different than your family room for example, but you may need three different types of lighting for each area of the kitchen.<\/p>\n

    The first tip is to section off your kitchen in to areas where there may be a need for specific types of lighting. You may have an area where the table will be, then the counters, over the sink and also ambient lighting for the entire room in general.\u00a0 So, understand what type of lighting you need for each area.<\/p>\n

    The next tip is to go the extra mile by wiring each section of your kitchen so they can be controlled by an independent switch. For example,\u00a0 the light over your sink should be controlled by its own switch. Same for the lighting over your kitchen table, the lights over the working area of your kitchen, your pendants over the island, and one for the under cabinet lights.<\/p>\n

    Finally, determining how many lumens<\/span><\/a> and what color temperature<\/span><\/a> you will need is absolutely critical.<\/p>\n

    Alternatives to Recessed Lighting in a Kitchen<\/h2>\n

    Recessed lighting is one of the most common options for modern kitchen spaces. It can help fill the gaps for general kitchen lighting. If you think kitchen recessed lighting is not ideal for your home design, consider these kitchen lighting alternatives:<\/p>\n