I’m planning to replace the flourescant light fixture in my galley kitchen with new recessed cans and need advice on where to put the new cans. So far I’ve read 30″ from the wall and 4-6 feet apart. I also read 39.5″ from the wall and 56″ apart based on 8′ ceiling, 36″ high counter, using a 1000 candlepower lamp, with a 55 degree beam angle which gives me 55″ of light coverage on the counter. However, according to this formula I need a 12,000 lumen bulb. I don’t really mind using fomulas as long as the answer makes sense. Does anyone have any advice other than making holes in the ceiling and moving one or more cans around until I find the best layout? Thanks, Carlos
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It depends.....doncha' love
It depends.....doncha' love answers like that?
It depends upon the purpose of the can lights - general room illumination? or task lighting?
My opinion is that assuming 12" deep upper cabinets, both 30" and 1 meter (39.5") from the wall is too far away from the wall for task lighting. Either of those dimensions will place your "task" squarely in your own shadow.
I like to place the center of can at edge of countertop - 25" off of the wall. Use of flood bulbs in the cans provides a nice light wash to the front of the cabinets.
Can light over sink, penninsula or island = center of can = center of counter.
Spacing between cans becomes a function of beam angle of bulb / trim combo. Bear in mind that a "flood" bulb does not have even intensity of light across the cone - brighter in center than at edges. My cans are about 48" apart, somewhat "humored-up" to look good against the cabinet layout.
Jim
Recessed cans are great for general illumination. I am using dimmable 65w fluorescent floods which are fairly new. Perfect spacing is probably impossible since joist locations, plumbing, and ducts all get in the way. 4-6ft spacing is fine. What you don't want is your ceiling to look like swiss cheese, by trying to use the recessed lights as task lights. My ceiling is only 90in, so I eliminated all surface mount lights.
I placed my cans at 36" from the walls so they would clear the deep cabinets for the wall oven and fridge.
Jim mentioned shadows, and he's right, that's why dimmable undercab task lighting is so nice. I used 10W Xenons spaced 6inch.
You also may need task lights above your cooktop and sink.