My wife and I want to redo the lighting in our kitchen.  We want to add recessed lighting in the ceiling and under cabinet lighting.

Questions:

1)      How far from the wall should the recessed lighting be on the cabinet walls if the counter top is approx. 25” deep?

2)      What do you suggest for under cabinet lighting?

 

Danl

Edited November 20, 20178 yr by Ron Dudelston
tags added

I won't answer your specific question about location, but, I'd definitely recommend that you consider LED lighting. With LED's you may want to decide the lighting color you prefer. Daylight or Soft white. Soft White gives similar color as your incadescent or halogen lighting.  Even if you don't purchase the lighting a HD,I'd recommend you look at their lighting displays to  get an idea of the differences in color. The big difference with LED is the savings in electrical use and the longevity of the lights.  LED strips are available for under counter lighting. Initial cost for LED is higher, but worth the difference. I've installed LED's throughout my home, and plan to do the same for my shop.

Edited March 31, 20179 yr by It Was Al B

I agree about the LED strip lights. That's the way to go.

 

As for location, I put mine close to the front (door) on the underside of the upper cabinets. That way the light covered the counter from front to back.

The common suggestion is about 3' away from the wall. Extra deep upper cabinets ay change that, the ones we bought were the standard (12"?). Anyway, when we redid our kitchen (this was over 10 tears ago) the only under cabinet option we considered were the "puck" lights, and back then they were low voltage. The newer ones that are LED are much nicer, and the LED rope lights are nice as well.

Edited March 31, 20179 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

I would say to place the lights so if you are working at the counter you  won't be trying to work in your shadow.   I placed my can lights about even with the counter top edge.   I have the LED reflector type lamps in the recessed fixtures.   The LEDs  have a much sharper cutoff than incandescent lamps and the shadows have a distinct edge.  Nothing wrong with that but be aware of it if you are used to the incandescent type.    Also remember the recessed lights do not light up the ceiling itself.  May look dark in room without other lighting.  Roly

If you put them too far back from the counter you will get a shadow when you are at the counter. THAT being said, mine are 45" (just what looked good) from the wall and I haven't had issues.

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

Danl

Kitchen lighting has been purchased.  The following is what will be installed, all on dimmers:

1. Above the peninsula: Lotus 3" Gimbal round recessed LED 7.5W soft white  LL3G-30K (will be installed into a 4-1/2" wide beam)  https://www.lotusledlights.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Spec-Sheet-LL3G-30K.pdf
2. On the ceiling:  NICOR 900 Lumen 3000K high efficiency dimmable 5-6" housing  DLS56-2009-120-3K-WH (no cans required, fits into a 4O-Jbox).   https://www.nicorlighting.com/files/1114/5576/5053/DLS56V2_900Lm_Specsheet.pdf
3. Under Cabinet fixture: American Lighting  LED 3-Complete  3LC - multi lengths and lumens (has switchable color temperature)  http://www.americanlighting.com/led-3-complete.html

I was able to shop at a local reputable lighting store who was willing to "price match".

Danl

I wanted to post this picture after you decided on what you will use so I won't change your mind in the middle of the stream.

  I found some really flexible rope lights  so the area under all the cabinets are lit the same, kinda. And to connect one side of the sink cabinets to the other side I built this over head thingy so I could continue the string of the rope lights.

  I did find out the led rope light are cool all the time but give out a blueish light and don't light the area as much as the regular ropes.

The lights over the sink are in a slot 5/8" wide and 1" deep recessed.

  I 'm the one who always wants to be different.

 

Show us some pictures of your progress..

That's nifty, Patch. Recessing them is a cool idea. Bet it was a PITA to do. Or did you cut the groove before the cabinet install?

The cabinets were already there. I built a horseshoe looking recessed track that went all the way down the side of the cabinets. The cross piece is glued to the up right pieces. The cabinets are oak and what I built is ash which is , to me, the best wood if a person needs to match any finish on other types of colored wood. Looking from most angles the bulbs are hidden. 

 

Never knew if they would provide enough light for I had never seen some to go by but yes she is happy and says it is the right amount!!

Edited April 28, 20179 yr by Smallpatch

I guess you did good, then. She's the one whose opinion counts.