Spot Lights for Kitchen Use

[Chris Amirault]

As I mentioned here, I'm having a bit of a problem with lighting in my new/vintage kitchen. However, I realized as I wrote the post that this often happens to me: I'll get set up to do some prep work and find the lighting to be subpar.

It makes me wonder what options there are out there for spot lights that can be used in kitchens. Most I've checked out are designed for "desks," which is ok but not ideal; I usually need more light over more area than desk lights provide.

Anyone have any ideas?

[IndyRob]

Search for "under cabinet lighting". There are a variety of configurations. Some 'pucks', some 'tubes'. Some A/C, some low voltage D/C.

I installed DC pucks under our cabinets and they work well (although one side of the kitchen interferes a little with radio reception in the room). They're also nice in the middle of the night to get a little light without lighting up the whole room.

[edit]You might look for ones where you can change the wattage. I've found that in some places I wanted more intensity than others.

Edited August 18, 2010 by IndyRob (log)

[Dave the Cook]

I'm a fan of undercabinet lighting, but that's not going to work in this case, as there's no cabinet over the work area.

Instead, I'd be looking at a set of small hanging lamps with retro shades. I found some at rejuvenation.com and more at good old Lighting Direct. Some of the designs are silly (IMO), but you can probably find something to match whatever you've replaced that chandelier with, without upstaging it.

If you're like me, you'll want more light than the three 60-watt bulbs most of those use. But since watt limits are usually related to heat, you can replace the incandescents with brighter but cooler running screw-in fluorescents.

[Chris Amirault]

I'm a fan of undercabinet lighting, but that's not going to work in this case, as there's no cabinet over the work area.

Dave's right there. However, there is a cabinet nearby, to which I could affix a light.

Instead, I'd be looking at a set of small hanging lamps with retro shades. I found some at rejuvenation.com[.]

Thanks -- great suggestion. I really liked the Donald -- not Trump, thankfully -- and it could attach to the side of the cabinet without looking too weird. However, $300 is pushing the edge of feasibility.

What about little work lights that sit on the counter itself? Anyone have ideas under $100?

[Dave the Cook]

Anything that sits close to the counter and is powerful enough to be worthwhile is also going to cast harsh shadows that your over-the-shoulder ceiling lamp won't be able to mitigate.

A hundred bucks is pretty tight. What about an old drafting lamp or a reproduction of same?

Something like this or a couple of these.

Garage sales or junk shops might turn up something more authentic. A little paint, simple rewiring, and Bob's your uncle.

Edited August 18, 2010 by Dave the Cook
Clarification (log)