Planning downlights in the kitchen

Criteria:

[*]Which number of recessed lights would you find visually pleasing on the ceiling regardless of the emitted light?
[*]What function should the lights serve? (Functional light for working - functional light for the entire area - ambient light ...)
[*]This number then determines the light sources. (Beam characteristic, luminous flux, color temperature --> brightness on the surface)
[*]For good color rendering definitely use high CRI or, if it should be a bit enhanced, lights with spectrum for aesthetic food color rendering (available for the commercial sector)
[*]To work shadow-free in pleasant functional light, for example, three properly selected lights are completely sufficient, six poorly chosen ones are not.
[*]Good functional light is rarely also good ambient light - think of both at the same time but do not try to realize both in a combination light.
[*]Avoid light sources with donut hole (unevenly bright rings in the light cone).

(Too) many spotlights in a residential building quickly look "functional." Especially if you have many. I have surface-mounted spotlights and already find that too much of a good thing. Maybe regular lamps or light rails would also work? Probably also cheaper.

I would rather go for 2 panels at 200€ each...

You would currently only get the mounting pots from our electrician for that. Without wiring, of course.

Halox100 would be enough (usually costs only half).

We have ten less, but you're much more limited in your choice of spotlights. We only planned four spotlights in our kitchen plus the range hood. That should provide sufficiently high brightness everywhere. It actually depends on the luminous flux and the beam angle of the spotlights. If you need eight of them just for the island, there really can't be anything left for the rest of the area.

Spots are always placed in kitchens above the edges of the work surfaces to be illuminated (so where the belly is ;-). Closer to the front they cause glare, further back they cast shadows.

You would only get the installation pots from our electrician for that. Without wiring, of course.

The man (builder) does it himself! ;)

The man (builder) does it himself!

Blessed are those who have time for it, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ;)