To create a recessed lighting layout for a kitchen room, we need to look at all aspects of the room. No specific or unique kitchen lighting layout is suitable for every kitchen, but there is a guideline to follow to get the best-recessed lighting layout. That is what we are going to focus on and explain.
Kitchen rooms have higher lighting requirements, where specific tasks, such as food preparation and cooking are performed, it is important that the lighting is high and sufficient to perform these tasks well
In the case of installing recessed lights in a kitchen already have lights, like pendants or ceiling fixtures. And recessed lighting you install should work with this fixture. The output wattage of this fixture should be subtracted from the calculated wattage
of the room.
- Check out the best recessed lights for the kitchen
You should combine between the lighting layers as you can to get a well designed recessed lighting layout. And remember a single light layer can not provide the light level that's required to light a kitchen and perform the kitchen tasks well.
Kitchen Recessed Lighting Layout - Lighting Layers
General (Ambient) Lighting
- Aims to light the entire area offers a good and comfortable visibility level, to make the kitchen a good workand inviting place also.
- When designing a layout for the ambient lighting in a kitchen, we want to take into account the areas where tasks will be done.
- Always use a fairly regular recessed lighting layout pattern.
- I like to use 2Watt/square foot in calculating the number of lights for the general kitchen recessed lighting layout and dimming system to do the job.
Task Lighting
- For a specific task area, such as counters, under cabinet, islands, tables, and the sink that require the lighting level to be high enough to perform tasks like food preparation and cooking comfortably.
- I like to use 3Watt/square foot in calculating the number of lights for task lighting, when designing the kitchen recessed lighting layout.
- Task lighting level should be higher than general lighting level.
- Always place lights directly above the outside edge of the countertop to avoid creating shadows of people standing on the counters working.
Accent and mood lighting
- Accent and mood lighting help highlight and decorate kitchen cabinets, windows, counters, and more.
- It may be optional, but it gives the kitchen a stylish appearance.
Now, after you know the lighting layers you should begin to plan the recessed lighting layout
- Divide your kitchen into sections will help you to make it clear to get the number of recessed lights and place light fixtures. You should consider at least general lighting and task lighting to effectively light the kitchen.
- Measure your room or the sections of the room to determine how many fixtures you will need.
- Determine the spacing between the fixtures, and remember the location of ceiling joists affects the actual placement points.
- For general use wide-angle fixtures and for task lighting use narrow-angle fixtures.
- If there is limited space available in your ceiling void to mount a standard recessed light unit, then low profile recessed lighting is the solution.
- What type of lamps will you use? You can use kitchen LED lighting options which make the lighting you choose more affordable to use.
- Always use a separate switch for each group of lights or section to control them, so you can turn on only the lights you need.