How to light a dark kitchen diner- spotlights v downlights etc.

[DeeLite]

We have a fairly dark north facing kitchen and need to choose new lighting We had LED spotlights in our old kitchen and I never turned them on as the light was really white and made the place look really cold and clinical.

I don't want to make the same mistake again. We'll have lamps where we can for softening the place and pendants over the breakfast bar but what's the best for general overhead lighting which is bright and functional but warm and energy efficient (the room is so dark that it needs lights on for six months a year).

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Having uplights on top of wall and tall cabinets might give you the extra 'mock daylight' you need six months of the year ?
Would need to be fitted with daylight bulbs to give the right effect .

[gingeroots]

Watching with interest ,wish I could help .

You can get wall lights that give light both down and up if that's any help .
I like the sound of uplighters on top of units .Maybe with LED under the units ?

[brumeye]

We have a similar north-facing kitchen diner, and we had Aurora M10 warm white LED spotlights. The light is SO much nicer than older LED bulbs, i think the technology has really improved recently (but you get what you pay for, cheaper ones will tend not to give as good quality of light). We have them on all day at the moment and they work well.

I really don't like "daylight" bulbs as they feel "clinical" to me, much too blue for a living area imho.

We also have pendants over dining table and peninsula which gives a much nicer light when eating. Spotlights are on dimmers so we can turn them down when we want pendants to be the main lighting.

[OnePlanOnHouzz]

Agreed daylight bulbs are way too much for evening - the trick is to only use them in daylight hours ! That way you don't notice the light - just that it is light - which is kinda the point ?!
Love soft lights for evening !! ^^