How Far Apart Should My Recessed Lights Be? (And Other Kitchen Lighting Questions Answered!)

How many recessed lights do I need in my kitchen? Is there a formula for lighting layouts for my new house? How do I highlight the kitchen cabinets? Countertops? Fixtures?

There's tons of "designer formulas" on the internet. None are good one. Your space is unique, your needs for your home are different and so your plan should reflect that as well.

But, there is hope! There are several things to consider to create a custom lighting plan for your home. In this video, I walk you through how I lay out the lighting, fixtures and recessed cans in this newly remodeled kitchen!

By using my guidelines, you can create a custom lighting layout for any space.

Best,
Liz

If you're interested in a DIY Lighting Workshop, get on the WAITLIST!

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[kitbar]

I love how you teach to be intentional with our lights instead of the divide ceiling/2 then put in a grid videos.

[AtmsH]

This is by far the best video explaining the science behind an intentional lighting design.! Thank you

[JulieHewes-ltlk]

Your the only one that has answered the questions rolling around in my head. There are so many DIYers making instructional videos, 90% haven't a clue what they are doing. Thank you!

[mmmichellegirl]

I'm thinking about forgoing the pendant lights over my island and just using the can lights to keep a more "open" feel. Thoughts? Hmmmm.... 🤔

[TheCrowsNest]

Hi Liz, Another extremely informative video. With each one of yours I watch, I learn and tweak as I walk through the plans of our kitchen plan. I have a good start, but the plan has evolved over time. Lighting is critical and to many cans can make for a runway landing strip. Caution is a must. Mark & Scott

[bluesash]

A while ago I asked you if you could help me with a kitchen lighting plan and you delivered!! Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it. You are a great teacher and I love to watch your thought process as you design. Everything looks lovely. Thanks again for doing this!

Lighting is about control where you want it and where you don't. Good advice.. I like using software. allows me to render for my customers. This also shows lighting levels.Not all customers like what I think. Rendering helps the customer understand what they will get. .I am not crazy about rgbw under the counters, placing these is also critical because of counter reflectivity
Keep in mind shadows can work both ways.. Keep up the good work.!!

[ThinkDreamBecome]

Thank you. You are teaching me to reduce my regrets by applying thought n logic beforehand. Home building is expensive and maybe once or twice affair in life. Your knowledge helps so much

[stevenleung]

so useful! getting close to finishing my kitchen plan. lighting is next amongst other things.

[dharma]

Thanks for the tutorial! This is very helpful for my upcoming project!

[SweetStuffOnMonarchLane]

Trying to catch up with some of your videos I missed... this was helpful, thank you! Due to trying to fit everything into an older-home kitchen remodel, we have to offset our new sink more to the right of the window (it really couldn't be helped), which has two crank-out windows that open to beautiful plantings and birdfeeders outside. The faucet will be centered on the right pane of glass. There is countertop between the sink and range to the left. We have very short ceilings... less than 7.5ft., which will be white tin tile. I thought a single light fixture (semi-flush mount?) centered in the ceiling over the window would draw unwanted attention to the "off-centeredness" of the sink to the window, and decided to do two so that some light is thrown over the middle of the sink and some on the countertop next to it to the left.

Does that seem like a good idea to you? Any thoughts on lighting in this situation, or ideas to downplay the sink not being centered to the window? All I can think of is to bring the eye up with some sort of decorative wood "valance" between the cabinets that are on either side of the sink, but I'm worried that would look too old-fashioned, actually have the opposite effect with what I'm trying to accomplish, and/or make the ceiling look even shorter. I'm going for a transitional look, but our home is in the cottage style... it's just not that flower patterned, ruffled textiles, and shabby chic kind of cottage style; more modern than that but not without classic elements, like beadboard in places, and the white tin ceiling tiles (only in the kitchen).

Maybe I should forget the valance and just go with more eye-catching, decorative light fixture(s) to bring the eye up/away from the off-centered sink?

I noticed in the plans you showed that it said something about the sink being centered to the window, but the cabinet being over an inch from it and to do the counter cut out centered to the window, not the cabinet... something like that!😅 Wouldn't that make the sink look not centered in the cabinet? Is it because its only an inch that it's ok? How much distance can you get away with realistically, and how does that work with drop-in vs. undermount sinks?

[swifta]

Question on your comment about them unfortunately being wafers vs recessed lights. Is this because of cost, because of space in the ceiling, something else? I really find your videos so helpful and thanks for the answers the other week on your last video!

[verntom]

Very helpful! I have a question: if we have 9ft ceilings, do you think we could get away with island pendants that are flush mounted (or semi-flush)?

[cottagekeeper]

Great video - curious if you know of a recessed light that is flicker free with a 90+ CRI?

[luke]

6:38 where are the outlets on the backsplash?

[jgilpinj]

What's remarkable and helpful about this video and others on your page is that you show your planning process and corresponding jobsite photos. It's not a tour of someone else's professional portfolio photos with commentary. It's useful to watch the problem-solving and then see what that turns into.

[crash]

Great video, love your content! Quick question, what software were you using? Thanks!

[easypenny]

How come no lights inside the glass cupboards?

[samph]

Great video. Lesson learned: be flexible.

[cale]

How large of a can light should I be using? 4"?