I tend to prefer down, since it illuminates the [presumably] most important part of the space without over-illuminating everything else.

But there are some that do both, my sister has one. Up lights on the perimeters with a downlight in the center. Those seem to be harder to come by today than they were 10 years ago.

Perhaps you should look for one of the units that can be reversed. I think they need to be un-installed to be switched, though.

If you need the illumination, then I would definitely go down light. If the lights point up, they don't really illuminate the area very well, and are more atmospheric than practical.

Thanks, guys. I might take another look at the lighting store.

I have a down lit chandelier over my island, but that's an important spot for me in my kitchen. I do most prep there, serve buffet from there, etc., so I need the extra lighting right over that spot. I have recessed in other areas. I did put a dimmer on the chandelier though which is nice when just hanging out there with a friend or several and wine, cheese, bread, etc...

I think it really depends on how you use the space and the rest of your lighting.

Besides lighting function, which is important, I always think uplights are harder to keep clean--dust settles in the shades. That said, I now have drum shades on my island pendants and on my dr fixture--with open tops! Just another consideration, though...