Kitchen Ideas Faqs

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"

Public Comments

1. Depends on the width of the kitchen, but generally it is best placed in the middle of the ceiling
2. Lighting falls into three categories -- 1) Ambient, 2) Task, and 3) Decorative. All three are used effectively in the kitchen, and are placed according to the effect. AMBIENT or General lighting is the fixture(s) that gives the general lighting to the room. This is the fixture over an eating area or the light in the center of the room. It may be up-lighting mounted on top of the cabinets which is reflected off the ceiling or in your case, the track lighting. TASK lighting is to illuminate the work area, and while sometimes may be mounted on the ceiling, is usually more effective mounted below the wall cabinets and focused on the counter top work area. If there are no wall cabinets above, the track lighting can be focused onto the peninsula or island top. DECORATIVE lighting may be used to highlight a feature such as a display item or wall furnishing, or provide a dramatic effect, such as below a base cabinet at the toe kick area or beneath the counter top edge. Track lighting may be aimed at a painting, a display item or a collection on a shelf. Determining what effect you want to achieve will determine where the best location of your lighting, and the type of lighting you should use. In your 10' x 10' kitchen, for AMBIENT LIGHT place the track in the center of the room. Track lighting will not be appropriate for TASK LIGHTING. You would need to put it between 4"- 8" off the face of the cabinets, and you will still tend to shadow the counter top as you work under the lights. Further, the closer you are to the face of the cabinets, a harsh scallop of light will shine on the cabinet fronts, which will be very unattractive. Use under counter lighting. Decorative lighting could be 3' - 4' from the face of the cabinets, depending on how you are illuminating your feature.