Kitchen Ideas Faqs

Kitchen lighting? I'm in the process of remodeling my kitchen with new flooring, appliances, cabinets and lighting. I had a false ceiling with floricent lights above the 2x4 paneling. I've removed the paneling and lights and now am thinking of installing recessed lights but don't know how to space them or where. The ceiling is 8-ft and the cabinets are going to be castled (staggered to the ceiling). I really hate to have a shadow on the countertop. How far out over the sink should one be placed? Another problem, recessed lighting says insulation should not be within 3 inches. The area above the kitchen is an attic with blown-in insulation. I really don't want the cold to be coming in around them. How can that be avoided?

I'm looking for a good website for updating my kitchen lighting. I have a kitchen of early 80's.? i want to update my kitchen lighting I now have florcent lighting with plastic sheilds over them and it trimed in wood. I want to add recessed lighting and add a shelf to put certain items on it. I saw this on one of the trading spacess shows but I have looked and looked and cant find it. Does anyone know of good website to update kitchen lighting with before and after pictures. Thanks everyone

Is it possible to buy stylish kitchen lighting that uses low-energy bulbs? They all seem to require halogen or small ordinary pearl bulbs. This goes for every plug-in silver/chrome spotlight system that catches my eye. What are you saying Princess? Or can anyone translate?

What lighting should i use in a kitchen with a plank ceiling? I am remodeling a 1930s home with the original plank and beam ceiling. I'd like to put halogen lighting in the kitchen but am not sure what type of lighting I can use. The electrician has suggested track lighting, but i'd prefer something less obtrusive. there appears to be approx. 3 inches of space above the planks. does anyone have experience with this type of ceiling?

Ideas for the best lighting for my kitchen? I have a dark kitchen with one small light fixture. My kitchen is not that big and does not have alot of natural light. It has only one small window. What is the best lighting to brighten it up? I have heard Flourescent is the best but I thought that it was ugly and old fashioned. It's only a small kitchen. Any ideas? I need something to throw out a lot of light. Is it better to get one long light fixture?

Where can I find a lighting globe for a ceiling light (kitchen)that screws in from the bottom? This light is over fifty years old and I would love to find a replacement

Any recommendations on where i can find cheap contemporary kitchen lighting?

12v 4.9amp transformer for kitchen lighting.how many 20 watt bulbs will it run? 230 volts in 50 herz. 12 volt 4.9 amps max out. 3 x 20 watt halogen lamps in the kit so i know it will run those but need 4 lights. do i need another transformer to run the 4th light?

Our kitchen has Fluorescent lighting, how do we upgrade & How do we make it recessed lighting instead? We just moved into a house built in 1993, and I would prefer to have lamp fixtures or recessed lighting instead of the ugly fluorescent light above. Can we do it ourselves or do we need to hire an electrician? Thank you for your input!!

Under Kitchen Unit Lighting? I have been asked by my builder to supply three single mains voltage under unit kitchen lights for him to fit for me; he has already fitted the wires. Where can I buy them? I have been to all the big DIY shops and am very confused as they are all 12volt and come with transformers. Can anyone help? Thanks

Lighting fixtures in my kitchen? my lighting fixtures in the kitchen are leaking some weird green liquid... i had a cover for one of the lights and it held some inside, i pulled it out and checked the wires and they look fine, what could be the problem?

Under cabinet kitchen lighting? I want to install lighting under my kitchen cabinets. Wiring it isn't a problem, but I'm concerned about the aesthetics. My cabinets are flush at the bottom, so there is no over-hang to hide anything under the cabinets. I'm guessing I have to recess the lights. If recessing, am I cutting right through the cabinets and into the bottom shelf? That doesn't seem right.

Having lighting issues in my kitchen.? We just bought a house and we found out certain lights do not want to work. The kitchen lights don't work, it is a florescent light and there is a light over the sink. Then the light in the living room does work. What do I need to do it get these working, oh and also the vent hood doesnt work. See these things were all working during the final walk thru of the house. Then after the power company turned off the power and then turned everything on these things stopped working.

What is the most attractive lighting for a kitchen? its a U-shape that is open to a dining room, that has an awful chandelier that I already want to replace. Should the two have the same lighting, or something different to separate the areas?

is it wrong to have a brushed nickel kitchen faucet while having oil rubbed bronze pendant lighting? Trying to match the dacor of a new home. Should the bathroom and kitchen fixtures match the finishes of the door knobs and/or lighting or can you mix and match. We are looking into having brushed nickel fixtures and door knobs while having oil rubbed bronze pendant lighting and wall sconces.

Can anyone give advice on choosing recessed lighting for a kitchen? We have 12 foot ceilings, honey colored cabinets, formica countertops. Our kitchen isn't very big and I want something simple. My brother in law is an electrician and able to install them but I don't know where to begin. Also, we're on a budget so I don't want to most expensive. Maybe something I can find at Lowe's or Home Depot.

How do I install recessed lighting in my kitchen? And also how can I install under cabinet lighting with a regular light switch?(without wires running down my wall or cabinets)

What is a good substitute for ugly florescent lighting in a kitchen? I don't want those little pendant lights b/c I don't think they give off enough light, and I can't afford to put in recess lights. I need to be able to switch it out myself. Suggestions?

Low voltage wire lighting fitted in the kitchen? I am thinking about lighting for new kitchen,spots are not an option, dont really want to use wall lights. how much dust collects on the wires, is this type of lighting practical in a kitchen The ceiling is pitched with two Velux roof lights

I have track lighting in my kitchen, but only one bulb turns on. Why won't the other three lights turn on? I tried replacing the bulbs, but they still don't work. I tried replacing the bulbs, but they still don't work. The bulb that works is the one closest to the power inlet.

Can you put lighting under kitchen units after it;s been fitted?

I have vaulted celing in my kitchen and it has track lighting that I cant reach to change bulbs? Therefore I want to replace the fixture with something that I can reach, I dont know if I should use a pendant lighting, or another track lighting. Please help me!!

The name of a self watering and self lighting garden pot for kitchen as seen on TV? I remember seeing this on TV one day, but now I haven't been able to see it any where and I forgot the name. I think it went by Bio dome or something similar as it is a ball shape pot that waters and heats itself so you can grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers without needing to water or put in the sunlight. I also remember them saying that it grows the plants faster then normal also (you just need to buy the plants from them supposedly) If anyone knows what I am talking about and has a link to their website, or even just the name I'd appreciate it a lot. If you have used it before and know more about it, comments would be nice also. Thank you!

Trying to install a kitchen light. Not sure which wire is positve and which is negative? Its a very old fixture over the kitchen sink. The pre existing fixture was an old shop light. When I removed it the wires were not connected. I have 3 old wires... 2 are the same color and the third is red. I tested the wires with one of those little pen probes and the red wire is hot and one of the same colored wires is hot. The new fixtures has a black and white color with the ground. Is the old red wire to match with the new white wire?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Why does my flourescent kitchen light not want to turn on at first? This has been happening for about 8 months now - when I first turn on the kitchen light switch, the light usually does not turn on at first. Sometimes it lights up dimly, or flickering, but usually not at first. After repeatedly flipping the switch on, off, on, etc, it will turn on eventually. I just replaced one of the tubes a few months ago, so I don't think its the tube itself. Could it be the electronic assembly? I suppose that's about the only other component... Thanks.

Where do I get replacement plastic covering for my Kitchen light? I have a dropped ceiling fluorescent light in my kitchen that is irregularly shaped and consists of 4 plastic opaque panels - similar to light coverings inside commercial buildings. The panels have become cracked and I would like to replace them but I'm not sure where I can get replacements, especially since they probably have to be custom cut. Where can I find these?

Is it possible to rewire a double florescent kitchen light using the same wiring, to plug into a outlet? I have a florescent kitchen light thats connected with the typical white, black and uninsulated copper ground wire. I have a vacation timer i want to hook up to it, but you have to plug whatever you want to be timed into this vacation timer. Is it possible to cut the original wiring cable, and install a 3 pronged plug on the orignal cableso it will plug in and work?

Do you leave front porch or backyard lights on at night? Or do you leave a kitchen light on? Do you leave front lights or rear floodlights on at night? What about a light on over the kitchen sink or in the bathroom or something? Just wondering the norm.

one light switch runs light in kitchen and fan in livingroom how can i but in a two switch? I have a small house with a kitchen light and ceiling fan in the living room ran from the same light switch, i would love to run the fan without the light in the kitchen having to be one. is this possible? inside the switch there are bare wires and two black that are wired to the switch and two white that are twisted together. can anyone helpl

How difficult is it to replace an electronic ballast in a kitchen light fixture? I have a strange electrical problem. Our kitchen light went out, and after several weeks, suddenly came back on. It remained functional for several weeks, then went back out again. During this time it would intermittently go out for several minutes, and come back on. Both of the bulbs were very dark so we replaced them, to no avail. Everyone we spoke to advised us to buy a new fixture, as the ballast would be more expensive to replace. Oddly enough, I ordered a new, electronic ballast from the manufacturer (Sunpark Electronics) for $6.50. The fixture sells at Home Depot for $85. Can anyone tell me if they think a new ballast will resolve the problem? I'm also curious to know why the electricians & diy'ers were so certain the ballast would cost more than a new fixture. Admittedly, I haven't tested anything as I am respectful of something I know very little about, and quite frankly...it scares me! Thanks in advance.

Is it against electrical code to have my microwave wired to the same circuit as my kitchen lights? Is it against electrical code to have my microwave wired to the same circuit as my kitchen lights (and possibly more)? I think I recall that major appliances require their own circuit. I know electrical codes can depend a lot on the municipality but is this against general electrical codes?

My kitchen light and/or dimmer switch does not work.? I replaced the bulbs in my kitchen light w/ the new flourescent kind. Unbeknownst to me, you're not supposed to use these with a dimmer switch. I heard a pop from the light, and it went out. I replaced the bulbs w/ regular ones and replaced the dimmer switch. As soon as I turned on the power, it made a popping noise and it won't work again. Please help.

Explain why the kitchen light becames a bit dimmer when a toaster is turned on? Explain why the kitchen light becames a bit dimmer when a toaster is turned on?

I need a houseplant for my kitchen. Very low light and something that doesn't grow very tall. Any ideas? I want to put a plant on my kitchen hutch. There's no natural light....only the kitchen lights. Also, I want something that's low and bushy and won't grow too high (12" or less).

Can you get lighting that fits into a kitchen worktop? Not the ones that go under the cabinets, but whether you can get lights that are inset in the worktops. Thanks

I have a five foot tube light in my kitchen that wont come on? My kitchen light is one of those long five foot lights that normally take a few seconds to come on when u press the switch, Well ours seemed to take ages to come on if at all so we replaced the bulb and it was ok for a couple of weeks but tonight it just wont come on, the ends light up but not the whole thing, does anyone know why this may be? or what we should do? we cant afford an electrician.

Kitchen lights (ceiling and under cabinet) with different color temperatures? My kitchen's ceiling lights are warm fluorescent tubes. Is it okay to have under cabinet lights of color temperature different from that of fluorescent, like halogen lights? Or, are there any non-fluorescent under cabinet lights that have the same color temperature of warm fluorescent kitchen light?

Help with changing a kitchen light? Just bought a new light fitting for my kitchen. It has an earth from the block to the light fitting however the wiring in my cieling rose doesnt contain an earth wire. Is it safe to wire this without the earth. the light has double brown / live, double blue / neutral and earth. The wirung in the cieling has double brown / live, double blue / neutral but no earth.

I had a leak from ceiling that dripped down through my kitchen light, what should I do? My fish tank upstairs broke and all the water had spilled out and when I came home it was leaking through my light fixture. What should I do? Turn off my lights for 24 hours to let it dry, turn off the breaker to the kitchen? Anything else?

In a kitchen can you have a light hanging down from the ceiling? electrical regulations on kitchen lights

What is the proper size for kitchen island light? I am remodeling my kitchen and I will be having a 4 foot by 6 foot kitchen island. I would like to to have 2 or 3 light across pendant lighting installed above it. What is the rule for how big (height and width) it should be? Also, how many inches above the island should the lighting be? I also would like to know has wide the lighting should be to go over a 6 foot island that will have a bar.

What is the best location for track lighting in an "L" shaped kitchen?

What's wrong with my kitchen lights? I have two recessed lights in my kitchen that stopped working. My husband checked the breaker and the light bulbs and that's not the problem. He checked the switch and it's fine. There is juice running to the switch but not to the fixtures. I don't see how it could be the fixtures because they would have had to go out at the same time then months later they came on when we tried the switch then two days later they went out again and they haven't turned on again for months now. We would like to fix this ourselves. Any ideas on what's wrong? We live in Las Vegas, if we had to hire an electrician what's the least expensive way to do so?

I have dark cherry wood kitchen cabinets and oil rubbed bronze lighting ....? ....should my kitchen cabinet hardware also be oil rubbed bronze? or can it be something else? Should my kitchen sink faucet be oil rubbed bronze? or can it be something else? All suggestions are muchly appreciated! Thanks!

how can I remove a fluorescent light bulb from a kitchen ceiling light? The problem is that I can twist the bulbs out, but the fixture is surrounded by crown moulding which comes about 1 1/2 " in. Once the bulb is removed from the socket there is no way to get the bulb out of the fixture. A metal divider prevents getting any angle on the bulb to be able to angle it out. I have not been able to figure out any way to remove the crown moulding surrounding the fixture. A similar fixture is seems to be manufactured by brodwax. This is the primary lighting source in my kitchen (no windows) so hopefully someone can help.

Is pendant lighting (the kind that you usually see over kitchen bars) okay over the dining room table? Perhaps I am not looking in the right places, but I haven't seen many examples on the Internet. Would be great to get opinions!

What type of strip undercabinet lighting is reliable to purchase for the kitchen?

pendant kitchen lighting? How far up from a bartop kitchen counter do you hang pendant lights?

Changing a Florescent Kitchen light to a ceiling fan? I am looking for a do it yourself site that has a great description on how to remove an old florescent light (the type that are in a kitchen) and change it into a celing fan. I have tried to look at various website and nothing seems to have this information!

How far off the wall should the tracks of an "L" shaped track lighting system be in an "L" shaped kitchen? Should the tracks be placed so they are over the cabinets or 1 foot off the cabinets etc? How far should they be? The kitchen is a 10 by 10 in the shape of an "L"

Is track lighting bright enough for a kitchen? The mount we have doesn't give enough light. I really don't like flourescent, so I'm looking for something pretty but bright. Thanks!

Need to fix fluorescent kitchen lights- fixtures not lighting up completely. Any ideas? I bought new bulbs for my 2 kitchen lights thinking my bulbs were burned out but they're still not working right. I have a round fluorescent light fixture as well as a fixture that contains 6 very long lights. I turn the switch on & it turns on but very very faintly like it's not getting enough power or something. Is this something I can fix myself or should I call an electrician? I don't have too much experience with this stuff but do have a little bit of general knowledge. Any ideas anyone?

I want to change my kitchen light fixtures? I want to take down the old ones and replace them. Other than turn off the breaker first, Im not sure where to begin. Its ok Fairie Blessed. I was so mad at that guy, I didnt reread my comment before submitting it. LOL I understand why you and Doctress who thought I was being mean to her. :) I thank you!

Do they make energy efficient recessed lighting? I have a huge porch & some lights in my kitchen.?

Kitchen lights keep going on & off and now have gone off completly! Any ideas why? I have a nice set of main lights (4 mini lights) in centre of ceiling that went off for two days i.e switch dont turn them on. Then worked for couple of days... then didnt..then did... now off completly for last 2 weeks. Some one said it could be transformer & will need full new light set. Any ideas whats up with them & how i might fix them?

Can anyone give me a ballpark cost of painting kitchen cabinets in the northern NJ area? The cabinets are cherry with a walnut stain; they are in good condition & I like the style. The kitchen light is low due to a nothern exposure. I want to go lighter (maybe a white base with a brown wash) to help lighten the room & update the kitchen. Also the cabinets have alot of wear & tear on them since they are about 25 years old.

Why is my fluorescent kitchen light staying ON even when the switch on OFF and even disconnected? A few days ago the fixture stayed ON when I switched it to OFF and has stayed on at full strength since then. I pulled the fuse today and took out the wall switch, planning to get another and replace it. The light came BACK ON when I replaced the fuse, even with the switch sitting on the table. What should I do?

Why are the lightbulbs in our kitchen lights always burning out? They are recessed lights and take regular lightbulbs. One switch controls five lights. The other switch controls six and is a dimmer. We replaced them with bulbs like the ones that were originally in them: 60 watt bulbs. We don't leave these lights on a lot but the bulbs only last 2-3 months each -- and they are a pain in a neck to change. What could be wrong? Thanks.