How to make kitchen lighting with spotlights in a stretch ceiling

Lighting in the kitchen with a stretch ceiling is different from other options. Embedded equipment can be placed in the cavity under the stretched material. And due to the design features, traditional options need to be set in a special way. Therefore, it is best to understand the issue in order to determine the optimal location of the fixtures and their type for your kitchen.

General requirements and recommendations

Placing equipment in a kitchen with a stretch ceiling has a number of features that you need to know, you should start with the requirements, since their observance is mandatory:

1. You can place spotlights and other lamps in the canvas no closer than 15 cm from the weld if available.
2. Minimum distance from the wall is 20 cm. If placed closer, the light flux will not be distributed correctly.
3. The stretch fabric does not tolerate high temperatures. With their constant exposure, it can change color or deform, so there is a limit on the case temperature of 55 degrees.You can not put halogen lamps more powerful than 35 W and incandescent lamps more than 40 W.
4. The chandelier is installed in the middle of the sector. Under it, a special platform is necessarily attached.
5. When installing fixtures, mounting rings are used. The body of the luminaire must have a side to cover the attachment point.

The glossy surface of the ceiling reflects light well.

As for placement recommendations, the location of the fixtures on the stretch ceiling in the kitchen depends on the size of the kitchen, the arrangement of furniture and functional areas. The equipment is installed taking into account several principles:

1. Most often placed in the middle chandelierproviding general lighting. If the kitchen is combined with the living room or is large, there can be two or even three chandeliers.
   The great advantage of chandeliers is that they can be installed on the ceiling of any material, and the light will be evenly scattered throughout the room.
2. A modern replacement for a chandelier is a light panel that is built into the surface and gives an even diffused light. There is also a special profile of large width, which can be placed in any order or even build shapes. One or more rows of LED strip are glued inside.
   An example where the light panels fit organically into the interior.
3. Spotlights can be located along the working area, installed in parallel along two parallel or adjacent walls. Most often, they provide additional lighting where it is needed.
   A chandelier in combination with lamps is a classic solution for the kitchen.

By the way! You can use spotlights as the main light, but you will need many more elements than usual.

Types of fixtures, selection criteria

Before settling on a particular option, you need to determine which of the solutions will suit the situation best. The following criteria are primarily used:

1. Ceiling height. If it is small, you should not choose massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Compact options are better suited, which are arranged near the surface and do not clutter up the space. If the height is large, you can use large models with a long leg.
   Ceiling chandelier for low rooms.
2. Room size. The larger it is, the less restrictions. If the space is large, small chandeliers will look bad there, it is better to choose volumetric options.
3. Design style. Lighting elements should fit into the environment and correspond to the chosen direction. This applies to design, color and texture. It is important that the lamps are suitable not only for decoration, but also for the kitchen set, then the kitchen will look harmonious.
   The predominance of natural materials.
4. Required power equipment. There is a standard of illumination for different rooms. The kitchen should have a luminous flux of at least 200 lumens per square meter. Based on this, it is easy calculate quantity and type of fixtures.
5. Distance from the stretch fabric to the ceiling. For normal installation of built-in models, at least 8 cm of space is required. If it is less, installation problems may occur. It is better to use overhead or semi-overhead models.

As for the varieties, ceiling lighting in the kitchen is most often implemented using the following options:

1. Chandelier. A classic solution, which is quite enough for a small area. In the kitchen, more strict and practical products are used than in living rooms.Models are often installed, the shades of which run along the ceiling and take up little space. With the choice of a chandelier will help our article.
   For a classic setting, chandeliers are best suited.
2. Plafonds or lampshades on a long cord. Suitable for placement above the bar and dining area. They have small dimensions, illuminate a small area of ​​​​space.
   Lamps on a cord above the table look stylish.
3. Built-in equipment is different in that the case is hidden under the ceiling, only the front part is visible from the outside. These can be both standard spots and rotary modifications or modules of several elements.
4. Overheads are suitable where the distance from the tension web to the partition is very small. Modern models look stylish and provide good light. It can be both spotlights and flat ceiling lamps or LED panels.
   A very interesting solution in the kitchen-living room.
5. LED strip is most often used for decorative lighting. With its help, you can create a floating effect of a multi-level ceiling or highlight the contour by placing the tape under plinth.
   Ceiling of complex shape with combined illumination.

LED strip can be installed in a box with a diffuser, which will provide a good additional or even main light.

From the video you will find out which lamps are not suitable for a stretch ceiling.

Basic rules for placing light sources

You don't have to be a designer or a lighting engineer to make an attractive backlit stretch ceiling in the kitchen. To do this, just follow the zoning tips:

1. In a small room, the main light is given by a chandelier, it should illuminate the dining table well.If the kitchen has a living area, it is advisable to place additional lamps above it to ensure the greatest comfort.
2. The working area requires special attention; built-in lamps are used for it, which have after 30-50 cm. You can use adjustable options.
3. If the room is combined and it has a seating area, it is best to use a wall lamp there. Or install several built-in elements.
   Decorative lighting for the dining area.
4. To highlight the bar counter, use options with spot or directional lighting.

Location of fixtures on the ceiling can be almost anything, the main thing is to comply with electrical safety standards and install equipment correctly. The chandelier is placed either in the center or moved closer to the dining area, since there is almost always a separate light above the work surface.

Some options for arranging light sources on the ceiling.

There are ready-made schemes for the location of lamps. You can use them to come up with your own version. It all depends on the arrangement, modern equipment allows you to implement almost any project.

Read also

Lighting the kitchen-living room in a modern style

 

Features of using additional lighting

To create ideal conditions in the kitchen and ensure comfort when cooking or eating, you need to properly organize additional light:

1. Consider the location of all elements, pay special attention to their arrangement. It is important to provide uniform illumination of a certain area.
2. Additional lighting should match color temperature with main. The exception is the working area, where you can use the brighter option.
3. The style of performance should be the same.The color may vary.
4. Additional light should be switched on separately from the main one. It is important to consider the convenient location of the switches for each type.

Recommended for viewing: This year's trend is lighting the ceiling with light lines.

Stretch ceiling in the kitchen allows you to implement almost any project. The main thing is to choose the right fixtures, think over their location and install them correctly.