What a great resource this site is!!! I am still trying to locate "dependable" information on the spacing of can lights which will be my primary lighting but also undercounter fluorescents and a pendant over the table. Being in CA, I have to be energy compliant so I'll use 5 inch fluorescent cans(26 watt) with reflectors. My question is where to place them vs. the counter work edge and how close they need to be to assure even coverage. Obviously, different brands will vary but there must be some "rules of thumb", although I haven't been able to locate any. I don't trust the advice from the stores. Thanks in advance.

Bob,
I've got the same question and have gotten several different opinions from the lighting store vs electrician vs big box store and I'm not sure which is the best option. I spaced the cans 4' apart and put them on the edge of the counter over the sink. I pulled the cans back from the counter edge over the cooktop since that has a stainless hood running the entire length and I read on this forum that the light might be blocked by the hood leaving the counter dark and also reflect. I don't know if this is wise or not? Many thanks on your thoughts.

Californiabob - having been an electrician for many years at a younger point in my life, I promise you that your question has no perfect answer. The common sense rule is that you place the lights where your shadow will not block your view. But most builders spec out the minimum, which is a single light in the ceiling center. Everything else costs more.

Personally, I like can lights for several reasons - they are inexpensive and do not conflict with any number of other lighting types. Also, they are easy to clean. Hanging lights in kitchens get grimy in time. Also, if you want, you can get directional diffusers for the cans to give them more of a spotlight effect. So they have built-in options.

Having said all that, you show two lights over your cooking area. If you use wide diffusion bulbs, that will provide adequate light for the cooking area even if you don't turn on the stove light, and it will also illuminate the center area. That's because the range hood will have its own light, so you don't need to worry so much about the stove light being blocked as you work.

THe plan doesn't show anything over the sink. (Unless my resolution doesn't show your lighting there.) And you have a door between the cook area and the sink, opening into the fridge. You might want to take another look at that. My house was very similar and I finally moved the door where there was a window and turned that door into a window. It's much easier than it sounds!

In any event, you surely want to light the sink - that's where you will spend the most time. The sink lighting should not be behind you but should be over the sink itself. You're cleaning pots, vegetables, crystal, etc, and want to see your work.

It looks like you have a center island with two stools at it. But you have no lighting over that. The lights are behind the stools on the left and behind you on the right. You might want to put a pendant or two there, or stick with the cans and put a spot or two up there to illuminate that space. You don't want that area dark. Definitely light that.

And you have the lights at the edge of the counter on the right rather than in the center of the floor space, where they would make more sense. The diffusion from those will be enough for the counter but you don't want to make a shadow from your counter to the floor. Under=cab lights will illuminate the countertops for close work.

Finally, just for an aesthetic thing - your lights are oddly spaced. On the left they are at different distances from the wall and they don't coincide to anything on the right. I would probably add one on the right and make 3 on both sides of the island. It's not clear how they are switched, but usually you are on one side or the other so I'd do it that way and have the center island lights switch separate. You can put dimmers on all of them so you don't get a glaring operating room feel.

you need a switch by the door and you should make it a 3 way so you can turn the lights off from the dining area too.

Best luck!

rosesninny- thanks for the input. Yes, I'll definitely be putting pendants over the island and a can over the sink. I'm planning on a 30-33" sink. Would you put one can over the center or two cans to the side? Also, I see what you mean about the can placement on the aisle near the sink- no problem putting a total of 3 on that side. I'm still confused about placing the cans on the edge of the counter vs. in the aisle as I have seen some threads debating this. Thanks so much for the input- very helpful!

As far as the sink goes, you'll get enough diffusion from a single to take care of that space. Regarding the counter vs the aisle - I don't understand the argument for putting cans over the counter. I cook a lot. And I bend over the counter as I'm rolling out dough, kneading it, dicing onions, etc. So I'm always blocking that overhead light. Moreover, if you can imagine a cone, which is how your light diffuses, you get more light under the cabinets if the light is backed away from them. Nonetheless, since it is up in the air, no matter where it is, it will not be absolutely satisfactory - the illumination decreases exponentially with distance. So under-cabinet lights are the answer to lighting the counters and illuminating your pie crust, etc. But that's just my 2 cents. All the best for your renov!