Lights for kitchen work area

mek · Jun 09, 2007 1:32 pm

I want to get some lights put under overhead cupboards for the work area in the kitchen. What does everybody recommend (downlights, halogen, something else)? Thanks.

stonecutter1309 · Jun 09, 2007 5:28 pm

I'm not sure what we will do yet - but I like the idea of this:

http://www.neco.com.au/product.asp?pID=74&cID=10

That can fit into the cabinet. Will be interested to see what you decide on. In a lot of display homes we've visited - we haven't seen any lighting from overhead cupboards.

Ed Perry · Jun 09, 2007 5:34 pm

How about this -

http://www.ledfx.com.au/lighting.htm

Ed

sneakersss · Jun 09, 2007 7:47 pm

We asked our builder to put lights under our overhead cupboards, too, but I can't for the life of me remember why they said no and pointed us to a different option. Anyway, we are having these two pyramid/triangle shaped lights installed under the cupboards in the corner of the wall.

Did that make sense?

sneakersss · Jun 09, 2007 7:50 pm

Oh, they kind of look like this:

http://www.lamps2udirect.com/pages/fullProd.php/Low-Voltage-Under-Cabinet-Triangle-Light/1044

But sits in the corner.

TipsyMcStagger · Jun 09, 2007 7:59 pm

I like the look of these.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?topcategoryId=15579&catalogId=10103&storeId=18&productId=47039&langId=-26&categoryId=16082&chosenPartNumber=60064225

Michelle · Jun 09, 2007 9:05 pm

Hi mek,

I have done this many times with projects; the most efficient lighting for this use is what I call STRIPP LIGHTING. Small fluorescent lights attached to the bottom of the overhead cupboards. This is the best form of task lighting in my opinion.
You can put them on a dimmer, so they can also be used as mood lighting at night.

Lights such as down light and Low Halogens are directional lighting; they shine DOWN only, and do not cover the full surface, therefore not as safe.

You need to be careful of lighting that throws another colour other than white, as it is can be harsh for the eyes.

mattwalker · Jun 09, 2007 9:11 pm

Florescent is harsh on my eyes.

I much prefer the light from Low Voltage DL's.

I am also not a big fan of "white" light. I prefer the incandescant golden effect as opposed to the clinical white of the energy savers...

Matt

Michelle · Jun 09, 2007 9:13 pm

But when it comes to task light Matt, you need a crisp light.

mattwalker · Jun 09, 2007 9:15 pm

Michelle,

We have gone for the same lights setup (and general style) as this pic:

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I have 3 LVDL's above the workbench, 4 LVDL's in the bottoms of the overhead cupboards and 2 LVDL's in the ceiling. I have them on 3 seperate switches (1 plate) for each area being used.

mattwalker · Jun 09, 2007 9:17 pm

That said though I don't spend much time in the kitchen (i burn water!!) so I don't claim any expertise in task lighting at all!

Michelle · Jun 09, 2007 9:27 pm

They look great good, while they are all turned on at once.

But turn off the over heads on the island bench and what do you have? A few directional lights on the back wall, still not throwing an even light. I also think they are too obvious for under cupboard lighting.

Just my opinion of course.

mattwalker · Jun 09, 2007 9:34 pm

Michelle

Just my opinion of course.

Yeah! And what would you know?? :wink:

Point taken though.....hmmm :th:

Michelle · Jun 09, 2007 9:39 pm

Matt, take a look at how they throw off from the tiles…..reflection I mean.
Now scroll your photo up so you cut off the overhead lights over the island bench and can only see the back wall…….what do you see?

jola · Jun 09, 2007 9:53 pm

Michelle,

I hope you don't me asking but I love fluros (changing my whole house to them practically). I saw you mention STRIPP lighting and very interested for my kitchen. I was planning to have fluro lights anyway. My only problem is that I am not having any overhead cupboards. It is an island kitchen so the island will be under a fluro. On the wall based cabinets there could still be shadowing from the appliance cupboards and oven cabinet, rangehood etc. Is there anything I could use above the glass splashback to put light directly on the bench or should I just use ceiling fluros.

Jola

Michelle · Jun 09, 2007 10:02 pm

(((My only problem is that I am not having any overhead cupboards.)))

I’m confused???

(((On the wall based cabinets there could still be shadowing from the appliance cupboards and oven cabinet, rangehood etc.))))

I thought you said you weren’t having overhead cupboards??

You will still get lighting from your rang hood for the stove top.

NOW is there cupboards above the glass plash backs?

jola · Jun 09, 2007 10:22 pm

Sorry should have been more specific.
To one side of the benchtop will be a high oven cabinet. There will be a rangehood above the glass splashback after 60-80cm of benchtop. There will then be no overhead cupboards for about 100-160cm. At the other end of the bench will be rollfront appliance cabinets but these are sitting on top of the bench so are practically a wall at the end.

Cheers

Michelle · Jun 09, 2007 10:30 pm

OK……so if I have got this right, you should have no interrupted lighting from your ceiling to your bench top, expect for the rang hood?

You should be ok, as long as you remember to put fluro lights above the work surface on the ceiling.

I think putting lighting up on its own above the glass splash backs could look a bit tacky.

mek · Jun 10, 2007 11:21 pm

Thanks, everybody. The links are great although I would suspect not of the cheapest things available.

After reading about fluorescent vs iridescent type of lighting, I've decided to go fluorescent, I found this useful:

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/t ... l/fs45.htm

You're right again, Michelle

!

dna · Feb 07, 2008 12:38 pm

Sorry to bring this old post back up, but I can't decide what lighting to use. The flourescent lighting that Michelle has mention, seems like a good idea but can't figure out how they would look. Are they simply surface mounted underneath the cupboards? Would it achieve a similar look to this (it's using leds)?

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For downlights, how are they wired? Is a false floor created in the o/h cupboards to hide it? Here's a drawing of the overhead cupboards in question

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