So if down lights are over, what's in for kitchen & bathroom lighting?

[shanghaismog]

Decision time... Roof design means that down lights upstairs are a pain, so need to think of something else for bathrooms - probably 3 spotlights on a bar unless you can inspire me with something else.

I keep reading that down lights are over, but struggling to think of what else to use in the kitchen area. We have some Tom Dixon-esque copper globes for over the dining table in a big open plan kitchen/dining/sitting room area. I was thinking down lights for kitchen end, globe pendants for table, then wired in lamp lighting only in sitting room end.

Anyone have any tips for lighting? Have the whole house to do, so feel free to bombard me with light porn. Generally a sleek Scandi look throughout (in my head anyway).

[minipie]

I think downlights still have their place for kitchens and bathrooms - I'd just avoid the "airport landing strip" effect where you have millions of them in straight rows across the ceiling. One in each corner for example, or a row washing one wall, can look nice. Undercabinet lights in the kitchen of course. Wall lamps are coming back.

For bathrooms if you can't do downlighters - definitely have wall lights either side of the mirror (much more flattering than a light above the mirror). You could also do spotlights on the wall like this

John Cullen is a good website for lighting inspiration generally.

[Apatite1]

Right I'm off to john Cullen tomorrow, it's within walking distance. Why don't I know about all of these wonderful places? Thanks Minipie.

[RCheshire]

My preference are wall uplighters. However they do require more planning of rooms/what furniture will go where whereas a ceiling pendant or downlights do not.

There is also a lot of difference between downlights -warmer colour temperature, wider angle, dimmable LEDs being my preference, although also the most expensive.

[minipie]

Not enough time on the internet Apatite

[ToddleWaddle]

We had a lighting expert into do ours. Did an amazing job. Well worth the fee. If left to our own devices would definitely have been an airport landing stop effect!

[Apatite1]

Ha ha minipie you're right, that pesky job gets in the way of my internet browsing I tell you. Toddle, would you feel comfortable sharing your lighting expert details? I've no idea what ballpark these fees are bit if we have a windfall you never know....

[Riverland]

I have two ancient kitchen circular spotlighters..three spotlights in each circle, in my kitchen. Scrub as I might, with vinegar, baking soda, etc etc, I can't get them back to shiny white.

So I guess they need replacing. What are stylish spotlighters like this nowadays, does anyone know?! Or is it just functional timeless stuff? I need to spend time looking..but oh...I'm so uninspired about putting my £ into this one..

[minipie]

I'm interested in how much a lighting consultant costs too. John Cullen site says £85 per hour, I have no idea how many hours they usually need. Also I guess they usually work with an interior designer?

[ToddleWaddle]

The guy we used owned his own lighting showroom. I think he only charged us a few hundred euro(Ireland) and may have offset this against the price of the lighting.
Was certainly worthwhile.
An interior design friend of mine now uses him on a regular basis after seeing his work in our house.

[PinkHydrangea]

Just wondering - and this is a genuine question - why are down lighters considered 'over'?

[Kieron79]

Same

[shanghaismog]

Thanks all. I keep reading that they're over but of course they aren't really, just a bit ubiquitous. More a question of what alternatives are there for bathrooms where we're restricted.

I am tempted by a lighting designer but the budget's tight and need to finalise this asap for the builders.

[calliemarie052]

I have never heard that down lights went out of style. They are so practical and do a good job of lighting up a room. I do agree with minipie that the wall lights on either side of a bathroom mirror look great. There are probably a bunch of sites online where you can find some that match the sleek look you are going for.

girardelectricinc.com/bathroom-fixtures