Lighting Design - Spotlights

[Biscuit357]

Me again!

our builders have asked us to think about where we want our spotlights in kitchen and den/playroom (pics in profile)

Is there a general rule of thumb we should follow about how many/where to place etc? Or do we just put a grid in?

Don't put in a grid, it can look very harsh in a large area. I'd put them around the edge of the room where there are worktops (allowing a little distance for wall units) so that they shine directly down on the worksurface and light up what you are doing (if they are too far from the edge, you just end up casting shadow over them). I would light the rest of the room, ie, where you are eating, with a really nice pendant light.

That would be my ideal but we are having a pitched room and table will be in the middle so it'll be a loooooooooooooooooooooooong pendant!

Good feedback about pattern, thanks

In our rented flat the spotlights in the living area are on two different switches, one is a dimmer so you have the choice of how harsh you want the lighting to be.

I find them a bit of a PITA because they fuse so often.