When designing your kitchen, you have a few options for ambient lighting. The two main light sources for ambient lighting are recessed lights (also known as pot lights) or a ceiling mounted light fixture in the central part of the kitchen. How do you choose between the two? There are several factors which may sway you towards one choice or the other.
Consider the landscape of your kitchen and ceiling
Recessed fixtures create a subtle light source which doesn’t glare on the eyes. Because the light bulbs are slightly recessed into the ceiling, the downward light is pleasant to work in. They also keep the ceiling landscape uncluttered. Because nothing is extending out of the ceiling, it maintains its flatness. If you are trying to achieve a sleek look, recessing is a good option. Contemporary kitchens work well with pot lighting.
If you have a large kitchen ceiling area and you’d like something to fill the space, a central light is a good option. There are many styles and shapes to choose from when it comes to center lights, chances are you’ll find one to fit your décor. Depending on the height of your ceiling, you can choose something mounted directly to the ceiling or something with a drop.
Cost
Recessed lights are by far the most expensive, not generally because of the cost of the lights, but because of the cost of installation. Running electrical wires to each light and installing each light into the ceiling tile or drywall is time consuming. Electricians are not cheap these days, and rightly so. They maintain the safety of your electrical systems and are one area where it pays to get someone qualified.
Depending on the size of your kitchen, you may need from six to sixteen pot lights – or even more if you are adding additional task lighting. Consider the cost before committing to recessed forms of lighting. If you are familiar with electrical work, you can cut costs by installing the lights yourself, but always follow proper codes and get all electrical work inspected.
Ceiling mounted lights are much less expensive to install. You only have one fixture to deal with and you may already have wiring to the area. The lights themselves vary greatly in price depending on what you want. If you want a basic light, costs are quite low.
Combination of Both
To make things more complicated, you can have both recessed and central ambient lights. One reason to add a ceiling mounted light along with pot lights is for aesthetic purposes. You may want a focal point in the middle of the room. You may want to add a decorative light for flare. Another choice is to add hanging pendant lights to areas over your island or table for decoration and additional lighting.