How Far Apart Should My Recessed Lights Be? (And Other Kitchen Lighting Questions Answered!)

How many recessed lights do I need in my kitchen? Is there a formula for lighting layouts for my new house? How do I highlight the kitchen cabinets? Countertops? Fixtures?
There's tons of "designer formulas" on the internet. None are good one. Your space is unique, your needs for your home are different and so your plan should reflect that as well.
But, there is hope! There are several things to consider to create a custom lighting plan for your home. In this video, I walk you through how I lay out the lighting, fixtures and recessed cans in this newly remodeled kitchen!
By using my guidelines, you can create a custom lighting layout for any space.
Best,
Liz
If you're interested in a DIY Lighting Workshop, get on the WAITLIST!
www.mydesignsherpa.com/opt-in...
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[@ThinkDreamBecome]

Thank you. You are teaching me to reduce my regrets by applying thought n logic beforehand. Home building is expensive and maybe once or twice affair in life. Your knowledge helps so much

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

That’s exactly what I hope you do!👍we need to think about ourselves and how we want to live!🙏💕

[@kit99bar]

I love how you teach to be intentional with our lights instead of the divide ceiling/2 then put in a grid videos.

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

Yes! Did you watch this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5O9oI2fj8xpf5Y

[@bluesash10]

A while ago I asked you if you could help me with a kitchen lighting plan and you delivered!! Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it. You are a great teacher and I love to watch your thought process as you design. Everything looks lovely. Thanks again for doing this!

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

I’m so glad it helped! Thanks for the kind words🙏💕

[@mmmichellegirl]

I'm thinking about forgoing the pendant lights over my island and just using the can lights to keep a more "open" feel. Thoughts? Hmmmm.... 🤔

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

If you have nothing else going on, it can get clinical real quick. Plus the shadows on those at the island are a consideration. I need flattering lights🤣😎

[@dharma6481]

Thanks for the tutorial! This is very helpful for my upcoming project!

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

You're very welcome! This one might help if you're laying out your lighting,kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIK5mnqLo7R9e6c

[@samph5]

Great video. Lesson learned: be flexible.

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

Like a gymnast 🤸

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Trying to catch up with some of your videos I missed... this was helpful, thank you! Due to trying to fit everything into an older-home kitchen remodel, we have to offset our new sink more to the right of the window (it really couldn't be helped), which has two crank-out windows that open to beautiful plantings and birdfeeders outside. The faucet will be centered on the right pane of glass. There is countertop between the sink and range to the left. We have very short ceilings... less than 7.5ft., which will be white tin tile. I thought a single light fixture (semi-flush mount?) centered in the ceiling over the window would draw unwanted attention to the "off-centeredness" of the sink to the window, and decided to do two so that some light is thrown over the middle of the sink and some on the countertop next to it to the left. Does that seem like a good idea to you? Any thoughts on lighting in this situation, or ideas to downplay the sink not being centered to the window? All I can think of is to bring the eye up with some sort of decorative wood "valance" between the cabinets that are on either side of the sink, but I'm worried that would look too old-fashioned, actually have the opposite effect with what I'm trying to accomplish, and/or make the ceiling look even shorter. I'm going for a transitional look, but our home is in the cottage style... it's just not that flower patterned, ruffled textiles, and shabby chic kind of cottage style; more modern than that but not without classic elements, like beadboard in places, and the white tin ceiling tiles (only in the kitchen). Maybe I should forget the valance and just go with more eye-catching, decorative light fixture(s) to bring the eye up/away from the off-centered sink? I noticed in the plans you showed that it said something about the sink being centered to the window, but the cabinet being over an inch from it and to do the counter cut out centered to the window, not the cabinet... something like that!😅 Wouldn't that make the sink look not centered in the cabinet? Is it because its only an inch that it's ok? How much distance can you get away with realistically, and how does that work with drop-in vs. undermount sinks?

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

I think you’re right on a valence dating the window area. I’d opt for a recessed can and not draw attention to the sink being off center. You can add plants etc to balance the window opening on the counter. With the lower ceilings, you want to stay away from anything that draws your attention there! Hope that helps!🙏😎

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa Thanks for the quick reply! Hmm, I'll have to check with hubby... I'm not sure we have room for recessed can lights... need to research how deep they are, I guess. Really wish we wouldn't have bought that tin ceiling tile because that'll definitely be something to draw attention to the low ceilings. 🫣😬 My husband thought it would be a good way to hide our uneven ceiling, and they were $1,900 (not returnable). I'm probably only going to have 18-20" of countertop there, and with that being where a lot of work takes place, I don't think I'll have space for a plant, but I had thought about some kind of vertical element there, like a utensil container, but I'm not sure I would even want that in the way either. Well, some more things to consider... thanks for your help!

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa Yeah, hubby says no recessed can lights... he'd have to put them through the attic. This house is such a nightmare... sigh... but it does keep us warm and dry, so thankful for that. Could be much worse!

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

@@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane there are ones that have little to no depth. You have options!

[@SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa Thanks Liz, I'll check into them. Really appreciate your help.

[@cottagekeeper]

Great video - curious if you know of a recessed light that is flicker free with a 90+ CRI?

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

Flicker free is a tough one. That’s real science to measure accurately. But, good quality light installed in the right spot is your best bet.

[@verntom4628]

Very helpful! I have a question: if we have 9ft ceilings, do you think we could get away with island pendants that are flush mounted (or semi-flush)?

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

No. They aren’t a pendant then. 30-36” above the surface

[@verntom4628]

Thank you!

[@crash3419]

Great video, love your content! Quick question, what software were you using? Thanks!

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

Canva. Just upload your plans and make yourself a key and play till you get it right. I used it to show the spill of light in another video on the elevations. Easy and visual so no one misunderstands🤪

[@sarahristine1452]

Question on your comment about them unfortunately being wafers vs recessed lights. Is this because of cost, because of space in the ceiling, something else? I really find your videos so helpful and thanks for the answers the other week on your last video!

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

A bit of costs, but more of the electrician chose 😱

[@homestarrunner10001]

@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpayes but why don’t you like them? Sure the electrician chose them, but what is wrong with wafers? Are they just a generic style? Are they not as pleasing to the eye?

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

@@homestarrunner10001 they aren’t the best choice. Least expensive option and they aren’t doing what a recessed light should do

[@homestarrunner10001]

@@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa are there appropriate applications for water lights, or would you say they just shouldn’t be used if at all possible?

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

@@homestarrunner10001 absolutely! They are thin, inexpensive and some have wacky color changing technology and other interesting features. There are good quality ones too from Elco, WAC, Dals etc. They shouldn’t be burned at the stake, just call them what they are and use them appropriately. They are downlighting, not recessed lighting. I have them in the guest space, and the worst, cheapest kind. But for now, they do the job.

[@easypenny]

How come no lights inside the glass cupboards?

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

Solid shelves!

[@jgilpinj]

What's remarkable and helpful about this video and others on your page is that you show your planning process and corresponding jobsite photos. It's not a tour of someone else's professional portfolio photos with commentary. It's useful to watch the problem-solving and then see what that turns into.

[@lizbiancoismydesignsherpa]

Thanks. I worry sometimes people will only want to see the pretty pics🙏