Pendant lights on low kitchen ceiling?

[kitchenlights]

Any ideas for lights on a low ceiling in the kitchen please? We wanted them over the table but might move the table a bit so rise and fall ones would be good, but they don't retract enough.

Would the black ones here look terrible? Or the coloured ones with knots in the cord when we don't want them?

Additional problem there is an even lower rsj 2/3 of the way along, but ignore that for now..

[PigletJohn]

I have seen a pendant lamp on a linger-than-usual flex, and cuphooks screwed to the ceiling joists so it could be hung in several places.

If you seldom need to move it, you can get a two-part ceiling fitting where the hanging part clips and plugs in, and you can have a female part installed wherever you expect to need a light.

Search for "Plug-in Ceiling Rose"

I have some in a crate somewhere, can't remember the brand but it will be a reliable maker like Crabtree or MEM. They might possibly be these Ashley ones, they look familiar.

If your ceiling and any fittings are matt white, they are not very noticeable.

BTW if you have a low light, in line of sight, with an open shade, you will reduce glare if you use a Globe lamp. At least 100mm diameter, preferably 125mm or 150mm. Something like this

I find them more attractive than most energy-saving lamps.

[kitchenlights]

Thank you pigletjohn that plugs thing looks like an amazing solution. Also like the cup hooks. Should have got the builders to dig down another 500mm really.

As expert on all things building related could you please tell me which cloakroom suite to buy? Maximum sink depth is 275-300mm. Ideally with space for a cup for children's toothbrushes if that's not asking for the moon on a stick. Just something plain and white and with the tap in the middle as we're a mix of left/right handed.

ALSO in your opinion what is the best place online to buy tiles or doesn't it matter? We want pale wood-effect for kitchen. Walls and floors .co.uk seem reasonably cheap.

[PigletJohn]

With sanitaryware, one lump of glazed white ceramic is much like another. If you want a cheap one, the basic Wickes bog in a box is said to be good value. Don't get anything quirky or stylish. Avoid a button in the lid of the cistern if you can. If the cistern is supplied with genuine Fluidmaster internals that's a good sign. Don't get a WC with an unusually shaped seat, you will never find a replacement.

Quality of taps is important. If you buy an all-in suite the taps and waste may be rubbish. Bristan are very good.

Avoid pop-up wastes as they will leak.

[kitchenlights]

I said I didn't want a push button flush to the plumber because I've seen you say that before, and he said nonsense that's the best sort EVEN THOUGH ALL OF OURS ARE BROKEN {toilet emoticon}

[PigletJohn]

easy to fix, are they?

hahahahaha!

[OldLagNewName]

My question too, thanks. Although I don't want to be able to move mine. But I bought a multiple lights pendant fitting and the drop on the cords is far too long. If you do the cup hooks solution, how do you stop the cords pulling straight? Since the cords are designed to go straight down, I worry that pulling them sideways will damage the head. Also looped cords looks much nicer than flat-to-ceiling cords.

[kitchenlights]

Oldlag have you committed to the location of your table then? But what if you have a party and people are bumping their heads on the bulbs?

Saw this though not sure about the look of it
www.pendantlighthook.com/#a-new-way

[OldLagNewName]

This isn't a new kitchen alas, just trying to get some more light into a dark old one by having 7 bulbs instead of 1. The ceiling rose is in the middle of the room, which is ok but it could also sensibly go to one side to be over the table. My plan is to have it high enough that nobody bumps their head on it wherever it is (well, unless it's a very wild party!) The problem is that I bought the pendant without realising the cords are far too long.

I did find that Little Bishop thing earlier but I'm not sure 7 of them would look so good. Having them all clustered together in one cup hook type of thing seemed ideal but I can't work out how the cords wouldn't get strained.

I've also tried tying a loose not in the cords which looks quite good but will presumably lengthen over time with the weight of the shades and bulbs, and it's still too long anyway even now. I can still send mine back but it took ages to find something that fits our practical criteria and also suits the style of the kitchen (= not remotely sleek or industrial)

[OldLagNewName]

Or even a knot, not a not.

[PigletJohn]

" I bought the pendant without realising the cords are far too long. "

It's just electrical flex. It can be cut to whatever length is required. You, or some other competent person, must disconnect the cores from their terminals at whichever end is more convenient, shorten the cable, strip back the sheathing no more than necessary, remove enough insulation for the cores to fit into the terminals, and tighten, reassemble the fitting.

It's easier after you've done a few.

[OldLagNewName]

Thx, PigletJohn. I am not remotely a competent person to do this but I will ask DP if he is. I guess 7 will give him plenty to speed up on...

[PigletJohn]

It's possible to do it with a small sharp knife, but looking at the vid I'm surprised any of us still have thumbs

[kitchenlights]

I would be able to do the shortening part but not the removing from ceiling part. Too scary.

DH wants to have long cords on purpose with knots in, or he is suggesting cable ties. WTAF.

I like the picture attached but pretty sure it would just look like a jumbled mess in real life

[PigletJohn]

This is a nice one for stripping the cores.

If you decide to get an electrician in, I'd have the plug-in ceiling rise fitted at the same time. When you know how, it's as easy as sewing on a button or making a roux.

If you had plug-ins, you could, if you felt like it, have an assortment of lamps and plug in a different one whenever the fancy took you.

[OldLagNewName]

Hmm kitchenlights, that looks lovely in the picture but in my kitchen at least it would just look messy (and dusty!). I think if you are good at keeping your kitchen tidy and have a fairly minimalist style, it could work though. It is very 'now', I think, so depends a bit how long you want it to last (I am too lazy to keep up with fashion but I know many people are not)

[Cherylene]

www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk/bathrooms/sanitaryware-seats/ideal-standard-sanitaryware-seats/products/KBIS1510/ideal-standard-space-short-projection-basin-2-tap-hole/ We had this small washbasin for several years - like a normal washbasin but does not stick out so far - not a cloakroom one. I think it is Ideal Concept Space but they do not seem to do 2 hole models on their website anymore, and all the toilets seem to have buttons. We now have buttons on the front and they are very difficult to push . Beware of braining yourself on a central tap whilst rinsing face, and sinks that -drench- spray you if you turn the tap on too fully.

I love the idea of the plug in light fixings. We have low ceilings so use the flush globe style fittings. However, they will become a problem when we run out of our stash of 100w bulbs...........................

[Cherylene]

drench

[kitchenlights]

Thank you cherylene. I think the sink will just be for washing hands and brushing teeth, I do want one mixer tap.

Think I am going with the attached. Can't find a handle flush toilet of 600mm anywhere.