"LEDs under cabinets are nice, but dimming overheads really sets the mood for evening downtime."
Totally agree on dimmers—simple is best. I tried the app-controlled lights once, and after a week of fiddling with updates and connectivity issues, I was ready to toss my phone out the window. Never again.
If I were redoing my kitchen lighting today, I'd stick with recessed LEDs on dimmers overhead (like you mentioned), but I'd also add some natural daylight tubes or skylights if possible. Did that in our last remodel, and it was a game changer. Nothing beats natural light during the day—cuts down electricity use too, which is always a plus.
Under-cabinet LEDs are great for task lighting, but honestly, I rarely dim them. They're either on or off for me. But overhead dimming...yeah, that's essential. Evening cooking sessions just feel more relaxed when you can tone down the brightness a bit.
One thing I'd skip next time is those trendy pendant lights over islands. They look nice in magazines, but in practice they're dust magnets and always seem to hang right at forehead-smacking height (or maybe that's just me...). Either way, simpler is usually better.
Anyway, good call keeping it straightforward with dimmers—less tech headaches means more time actually enjoying your kitchen.
"One thing I'd skip next time is those trendy pendant lights over islands. They look nice in magazines, but in practice they're dust magnets and always seem to hang right at forehead-smacking height (or maybe that's just me...)."
Haha, glad I'm not alone on this one—I swear those pendants are out to get me every time I lean over the counter. My kitchen currently has them, and I've lost count of how many times I've had near-concussions while grabbing a snack at midnight.
Totally with you on the whole natural light thing though. We put in a couple of solar tubes last year, and it's honestly been one of our best decisions. No more flipping switches all day, and it makes the room feel so much bigger.
And yeah, dimmers are definitely underrated. We put LEDs under the cabinets too, but like you said, they're pretty much either fully on or totally off—no dimming needed there. But overhead? Gotta have that mellow evening glow when you're winding down with a glass of wine or sneaking some ice cream after everyone else is asleep...
Totally agree about the pendant lights—I've seen more than a few bumped heads in my time, haha. One thing I've found works really well is recessed lighting combined with adjustable track lights. You get a nice, clean look without the dangling hazards, and you can angle them exactly where you need extra brightness.
Solar tubes are fantastic too, especially if your kitchen doesn't have space for larger windows. I've installed them in several remodels, and clients always comment on how much brighter and more inviting their kitchens feel afterward. Plus, they're pretty energy-efficient, which is always a bonus.
And yeah, dimmers are great for overhead lighting. But I'd suggest trying dimmable LEDs under cabinets too—sometimes it's nice to have softer task lighting when you're just making coffee early in the morning or grabbing something quick late at night. Just make sure you choose bulbs specifically labeled as dimmable; otherwise, you'll get that annoying flicker effect... learned that one the hard way.
Recessed lights definitely look sleek, but honestly, I've found they can feel a bit clinical sometimes—especially if you rely on them too heavily. Personally, I still like a few tasteful pendants or sconces for warmth... just gotta place them carefully to avoid those head bumps.
Good points all around. I've done a few kitchen remodels, and lighting is always trickier than it seems at first glance. A couple quick thoughts:
- Agree about recessed lights feeling clinical if they're the only source. I usually recommend mixing them with warmer accent lighting—under-cabinet LEDs or even some subtle strip lighting can really soften things up.
- Pendants are great, but yeah, placement is key. Learned that the hard way after installing one too low over an island... my taller friends weren't thrilled, haha.
- Sconces can be underrated, especially if you have open shelving or interesting backsplash tile you want to highlight.
One thing I'm curious about though—has anyone tried those adjustable recessed lights where you can angle the beam direction? Wondering if they actually help create a warmer feel or if it's just marketing hype...
