Kitchen ceiling spotlights - yes or no?

[GingerKitCat]

Just posting here as well as Home Decor as it's a bit quiet

A relative is redoing their kitchen and I've been asked for input re. lighting

The previous owner installed recessed ceiling spotlights in my kitchen and I quite like them. I have eight in the ceiling and three under the worktop (separate switches, ceiling ones have a dimmer switch).

Are they considered naff? Are there better solutions? One of mine has blown and I haven't figured out how to change it yet

Relative currently has those silver bar spotlight things which look okay (a bit dated?) and do the job but they fancy a change. They also have under-cupboard worktop lighting (very useful) which they will change for spotlights like mine. Oh and an extractor hood light.

Their kitchen is long and narrow with units on one side only and a slim breakfast bar on the other side with folding bar stools. Large window above the breakfast bar and another at the bottom of the kitchen above the sink so not too gloomy during the day.

No islands or fancy dining arrangements to consider. They don't spend any time in there in the evening after cooking and cleaning up so under cabinet floor lighting etc. would be excessive.

Thanks!

[whiskyowl]

I'm with you - I hate spots on a track, they are so ugly.

Spots are pretty functional in a kitchen. You can get a surprising variety of designs. I really like properly recessed trimless spots - not your standard ones, but the ones you plaster in like this:

www.oceanlighting.co.uk/downlights-c76/astro-5679-trimless-230v-fire-rated-adjustable-recessed-downlight-p28658

Because they are deeply recessed you have to be careful to get fire-rated ones if there is an upstairs above, and you need to make sure you have the right thickness of floor to actually fit them in. It may not be possible everywhere.

Love worktop lighting too. Not so keen on the hanging pendants over kitchen islands - they get dirty and they cut off sightlines in. But I like everything very open, others don't!

[Scribblegirl]

We have spotlights, I think they look good however was going to say definitely go for under counter lighting - we tend to just have that on in the evenings when we are pottering and the big lights are a bit too full on!

[Scribblegirl]

Sorry, just read the final line! Personally I still love ours for making tea before bed etc but each to their own!

[SilverSpot]

I like my spots in kitchens - kitchens are the best rooms (only suitable rooms?) for them!

[GingerKitCat]

Thank you everyone! I couldn't really think of any other solution and they look really nice in my medium kitchen

[Whattodowithaminute]

whisky love those recessed spots-I am ignorant when it comes to lighting-do you have to change bulbs or as they are LED do they last ages?

[Whattodowithaminute]

Doh-they are not leds either are they?!! We have GU10 at the moment and are constantly changing them

[bluebells1]

whattodowithaminute GU10 LED's are available in the market. We have those in our kitchen and have not changed any in the last 4 years.

[Whattodowithaminute]

Oh dear further demonstrating my lack of light related knowledge!! Thanks bluebells

[NotCitrus]

We have LED bulbs where GU10s would be typical. Half were a UK brand and are fab after 4 years. The other half were cheap on Ebay and now are only half brightness and some of the LEDs are dead.

Recessed lights are a bugger to change bulbs in and often the transformers die which is worse. We went for stainless steel strips with 3 lights each, running along the ceiling - higher and less dating than bars. And concealed strips under cupboards. And lights in the extractor fan.

I love it all - bright when in there, but then when in the diner end of the room or having a party, can just have under-counter lights.

[PigletJohn]

if you can find a lamp that takes a standard fitting (bayonet or Edison Screw) then replacement bulbs will be a hundred times easier to find, and cheaper.

Ordinary screw is about an inch in diameter, and SES (small Edison screw) about the size of your finger. The American screw is not quite the same size as the European one (and the voltage is different)

Opinions differ, but IMO the annoyance and complexity of those little halogen bulbs that need a transformer will consign them to the dustbin of history, even quicker than their high burning temperature and the inefficient use of electricity.

For some reason Wickes has a particularly good range of lighting and lamps and you can pre-order online for collection or delivery.

There are even more at electrical wholesalers, but they might not use the words "bulb" as electricians insist that these are things you plant in the garden.