What Type of Recessed Lights Work Best in a Kitchen?

The best kitchen lighting with recessed lights is obtainable through a combination of lights with different trims and baffles to provide extra lighting capabilities in certain areas and less in others.

Function

Ambient widespread lighting or direct downward lighting is each achievable with recessed lighting.

Types

Fixtures are available in standards line voltage, fluorescent or low-voltage halogen lights.

Countertops

Installing recessed lighting under kitchen cabinets lights the countertops in bright light. The lights will be about three feet from the counter so that they provide direct lighting. This enables you to see the countertops in your work area clearly.

Retrofits

Retrofit lighting kits are available to add recessed lighting in between joists in the ceiling. They slip into the ceiling with holes for the wiring. Recessed lights installed in the ceiling provide ambient light for the island area or the entire kitchen.

Baffles and Dimmers

Applying deep baffles and open trims on recessed lighting allows more direct and brighter light. Adding dimmer switches to each area of lighting allows you to use partial sections of lights or to dim sections when you do not need all of the lights on at once.

Considerations

If you are adding recessed lighting to the ceiling with a retrofit kit, you will need to purchase an IC housing, which is safe to install next to insulation without risk of fires.

References

• Kitchen Lighting Types
• Applications For Lighting Types
• Recessed Lighting Layout Guide