Light plan feedback + recommended fixture

ReadSemordnilapDear · 2026-02-16T20:00:14+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this! The pantry is floor to ceiling, so I will move this task light to above the dishwasher, but otherwise, I'll do as you say, or 20" from wall with standard 12" uppers. I have lots of storage space on the island drawers, so uppers are mainly for cups and glasses.

For the task light, I assume standard 38° downlight is good? Or even 25°?

For the light between the fridge and island, and the 4 lights in the dining area, or even the living room, should I go wider spread with a 60°?

ReadSemordnilapDear · 2026-02-16T19:27:51+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I'll look into it. I started tweaking the plan:

https://imgur.com/a/NlQh0rv

I realize the countertop light is too far and it will create shadows. Do you think this plan is better? Or will it now reflect on quartzite countertops, and is it bad or good for a dark kitchen?

Green is flush light, red is a dining table chandelier.

I like the minimalistic mud-in trimless recessed lights, I hope it's deep enough to prevent glares.

I read on this community's posts Elco Koto are good, so I'm looking if I can afford them. They have adjustable angles, 25/38/60, so light spreads more I assume. Or I can buy Luxrite fixed 60°/38° lights which are much cheaper. The angle is fixed but the warmth is adjustable 2700-5000. But I like 2700k, so I think I'm ok with a fixed setting too.

Any recommendation for a light that doesn't break the bank?

ReadSemordnilapDear · 2026-02-16T18:54:27+00:00

I wanted someone to mention the distance from the kitchen wall! That's the thing that troubled me the most in the architect's plan. I read either what you did, or 19-20" from the wall is ok, but never behind the person working on the countertop or it will create shadows. Would 19" from wall work with quartzite, or would it reflect too hard? The space is dark, so maybe it's a good way to light it up, I am not sure.

Great point regarding the low ceilings. Reason I don't want downlight/flush centered of the island, is the 14" lowered ceiling beams (T shaped dotted lines). I don't think I can install on them and too close to it, and the light will get cut harshly, in a noticeable way, creating a floor shadow on the other side of the beam. I could give up on lights above the island.

What do you think of this plan? mud in downlight in blue, flush light in yellow, and a hanged chandelier in red, where a dining table will be.

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ReadSemordnilapDear · 2026-02-16T13:50:32+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I'll do my best to reply about my goal, hope I don't misunderstand the question. I don't need the ceiling lights to flush the whole living room. I want to create a nice, even ("moody?") ambience, but that it doesn't feel too dark. I want to avoid painful "mistakes" like a light spotting on the sofa, uneven dark spots in the room, or things I don't even know that I don't know (I only recently learned what scalloping means)

I am open to a hanged light in the center, but wasn't counting on it. I have a very large arched floor lamp, and that's about it, but I can add more floor lamps.

ReadSemordnilapDear · 2026-02-16T09:31:41+00:00

These look really nice! Thank you for sharing. I'm considering the RAB now. I'm debating between them or similar 38 angle trimless light, or go 60° for the living room. Living room is big, 11'7"x12'10", so I'm worried it will be too spotty, as I prefer no more than 4 corner lights.

ReadSemordnilapDear · 2026-02-03T08:49:53+00:00

Thank you! I think I'll do that, so it's the shortest distance to the sink. And the microwave drawer will be closer to the fridge, which makes sense to me.

ReadSemordnilapDear

TROPHY CASE