kitchen lighting

[AWombWithoutARoof]

There are currently two fittings, each with three spotlights, I'd like to replace them as they're a bit old and manky. I prefer pendant lights but worried they'd be too dark.

Installing downlights isn't an option as we're on a tight budget, also I don't particularly like them.

Are pendants by default always going to be darker than spots?

OMG! Are you inside my head? I am having the exact same dilema at the moment. Also thinking pendants. Maybe with glass shades to keep more light? We have just had under cabinet ligting put in and it had made a massive difference for very little cost.

You can also get pendant lights with 2 shades/bulbs....

I am also fat.

We don't have wall units so don't have that option. Unfortunately the light fittings are spaced evenly in the room, rather than one by the cooking part and one over the table, which I wonder might be the reason for spots.

I would research lighting a bit more, there are lots of different options. Our kitchen has two ceiling light points as well, where we have flush fittings with really bright low energy fluoro bulbs. They give a very bright even light which we do help out with a couple of spotlights but they are Ok on their own for most things.

similar example but there are many more on that site.

Pendant lights give a lovely light and homely feel. The trick is to add accent lighting around the edges of the room too with recessed spots to take away dark areas. Layers of lighting is the ideal. If it is a fairly small room then just the corners will do. All depends on budget of course... My husband is handy so we just get the work signed off by a part P electrician but I don't know what it would cost to have them put in by an electrician.

Hhm. Really trying to avoid having to take the flooring up upstairs to add more lighting. Have realised we have a couple of cables poking out of walls where we could add additional wall lighting over one counter and sort of pointing at another.
Wondering about doing that thing where you use a long cable and hook to hang a pendant from somewhere else.

I did wonder about those sort of ceiling mounted lights, good to hear they give a good spread of light.

Ooh, just seen this. Our kitchen is (or will be soonish) in this style. I wonder if a couple of pendants combined with a couple of these wall lights could work.

Our extra spotlights are wall mounted, high up - it works well if you don't have wall cupboards. One sort of points near the cooker/prep area, one at the table/kettle and one at the back door. Those three are on one circuit and the ceiling lights on another, so we can have either or both together. Try and get the brightest bulbs you can.

Ours have this kind of GX53 bulb but an LED version, I would recommend LEDs as they come on instantly.

Thanks Raising, I like those!