Our electricians are working on our new home lighting as we speak so we need to finalize decisions soon. I have had no professionals involved in the design of the house and I plan to keep it that way (can't afford it) so I need help with the lighting plan if anyone is willing to offer it.

We're going to have undercabinet lighting that isn't shown here, but I'd like any opinions on the placement of the cans.

The top of the drawing is where you'll enter the kitchen from the mudroom and is where the switches for the cans will be. They will be 3-way switched (I think that's the term) from over by the door in the bottom right of the photo.

I'm not sure about the placement of the cans over the sink area. The electricians suggested one over the sink, but I think I would prefer two flanking the sink since I'd prefer the light be on the countertops, not the sink. How far from the wall should they be in this area?

I've read that the rest of the cans should line up with the edge of the countertops so that's what I've done.

I told the electrician that I wanted the switch for the island lights ON the island and they looked at me like my head was on backwards. It makes sense to me that if I want the lights on at the island, I'll be standing at the island, so I want the switch there. Am I crazy? The light for over the bar area will also be on the wall by the bar, not grouped with the rest of the switches, for the same reason as the island.

Any advice or comments welcome. Thanks!

{{!gwi}}