Ideally, you want to place them so that they illuminate your work surfaces without casting shadows on said surfaces. You may actually want to do a combination of recessed and directional lights. Directional lights (such as track or other surface mounted fixtures) that can be adjusted will help illuminate the work surfaces and avoid your body casting a shadow over the area you're working.

In my kitchen, similar in shape to yours, they were put over the floor area. We also installed undercabinet LED strip lights for well lit counters. Perhaps you should hire a lighting specialist who is also a licensed electrician.

before we answer, how much is to be taken out for the remodel? is the whole kitchen to be torn down to stud walls and everything replaced?

Hi, sorry I didn't specify. Our lkitchen remodel is granite, new backsplash, appliances, range hood , etc... The cabinets are great condition and wood, so leaving everything the same as in layout. We are refinishing the cabinets only. One electrician suggested putting two pendants over the peninsula, and then recessed lighting elsewhere. I thought they might be a little too close to our dining table light though, so I'm just really confused. Any other suggestions is much appreciated!!!! Thank you!!!

recessed lighting in the kitchen is best placed around the perimeter of the cabinets. The center of the can should line up with the edge of your counter. Not forgetting to center it with the cabinets itself. I recommend placing one centered with the sink and then work from there. Probably 2 on either side of the sink, one above the built in ovens and then 2 over both the cooktop and desk area. Adding pendent would be a good idea and no they will not be so close to your chandelier just keep them on the small side. Hope this helps and have fun redecorating! .

I would go with recessed lights placed over the countertops. We generally center cans at 23" from the wall (not upper cabinets) which places them just in front of the lip of the countertop so that you don't cast shadows and block the light when standing at the counter. I personally would not put pendants over your peninsula given the area narrows there and I think it would give the feeling of being too much.

@Deborah...if we did small pendants, do you think that would work? I like the idea of small lights there to give light in that space.

If you post a floor plan to scale, on graph paper if you have it, I could give you a layout. I also need to know the type of recessed.

Under cabinet lighting will change your life.

Following as we are in a similar situation with a renovation and the installation of recessed lights. I appreciate your comment Deborah Butler with regard to the cans being 23" from the wall. I am wondering if there is a guideline as to how far apart to space them from each other?

we put ours in where the cabinets meet and kind of centered over the end cabinet. We didn't worry about under cabinet lights as don't work under the cabinets. see attached

view 2

view 3

Pendants are becoming so overdone, in my opinion. They can make a small space seems too busy and break up your line of vision across a room. You can find recessed lights with adjustable trim to face the light toward a particular area or jazz it up by choosing lights with a decorative trim instead. LEDs have become very sophisticated and use next to no energy and give off a very nice color now instead of the harsh bluish color they used to be.
I would also suggest under-cabinet lighting. It's easy to install, looks great and makes chopping things at your counter a new joyful task when you can see what you're doing. I've been shopping around for the right under-mount fixtures myself.
Smart to keep and refinish the cabinets. It'll look great!
Good luck!

view 4 we used the 4 inch LEDS and they made a HUGE difference in our 1960's kitchen remodel!

@Maureen, I use roughly 300 lumens per linear foot of counter at about 23" away from the wall. I also center the lights on the cabinets so it is visually pleasing. Sometimes, that is easier said than done, and one has to get creative.

And our BEFORE!

Recessed lighting throughout the center of kitchen and then above the bar some hanging little lights.

Hanging pendant lights over all of your work areas

We remodeled ours and did a set grid where the lights are shining down at the edge of the counter edge aprox 30"from the outside walls. I like light so we also added undercounted lighting.

I like the pendant lights that they have at different levels, It would look good above your extended bar area. They have them in a lot of different colors too that would add extra color to the kitchen!

Thanks all for your input! We are installing them next week!

@sluvin...your kitchen is beautiful!! What paint color did you use in your kitchen? Love it!!