Installing Recessed Lighting in Kitchen

After the pre-tile floor was complete the next step was to move on to knocking out some electrical work to get this kitchen renovation moving.  Each half of the kitchen was slated for 6 and 5 recessed lights, with the side of 5 also having hanging mini pendants over the island.  USALight has great deals on recessed lighting.  I also used them for a basement renovation where I had 16 4″ cans in the room (click the link for details of that project).

Since the ceilings are 10 feet high in for this kitchen improvement project, I went with 6″ cans.

6" Recessed Lighting Cans

I used “new construction” cans for the side of the kitchen were I tore out the old dropped ceiling, and “exisitng construction” or refurb cans for the other side.

These cans by REX lighting come with convenient templates for cutting drywall on the refurb side and all cans have easy plug n click connections for the wiring.

Recessed Lighting for Kitchen Ceiling Remodel

Recessed Lighting Template for Kitchen Improvement

Recessed Lighting in Kitchen

Recessed Kitchen Lighting Installed in New Construction Side

The blue junction boxes are for the pendants that will hang over the kitchen island.

Kitchen Improvement: Island Lighting

A critical part of any renovation, particualrly a kitchen imp-rovement, is good lighting design.  The cans are positioned so the light flows to the desired area.  For these (and most) cans, there is about a 1:1 relationship between the spread of the light and the height of the light.  So for example, when I was considering the cans close to the support header, I spositioned them at least as far away as teh header is tall so that the light would not shine on and bring attention to the header.  Similar thought process when determining the position of the light cans over the counter.  I want as much light as possible to shine in to cabinets, on the counter, and not cast a shadow by being blocked by the top of the counter.

Multiple light zones are also important.  This kitchen is designed with 6 distinct light zone to achieve the right combination for the right atmosphere:

1.) Main recessed in work area

2.) Main recessed (dimable) in eating/seating area

3.) Hanging mini pendants over the island

4.) under cabinet task light

5.) Over cabinet accent light

6.) Grill/Range light

Here is the swithc box for juicing and switching the cabinet, main work area cans, and the hanging island pendants:

Lighting Zones for Kitchen Improvement

All New, Clean Wiring for this Kitchen Improvement