While linear pendant lines over an island are indeed common, I did find some clustered looks here on Houzz--the main issues, though, are just ensuring that each pendant has space around it so they're not constantly clanging into one another. Also ensuring their canopies have enough room is important too.

I like this kitchen's look:

18th · More Info

See how each pendant is hung at a slightly different height, but each has room to 'breathe' and their canopies aren't crowding each other out on the ceiling.

Here are some other clustered pendant looks.

don har skon herrgard · More Info

East Malvern · More Info

Channels Ranch · More Info

Frankengray House · More Info

This one differs because the pendants are hung at the same height, not staggered.

San Rafael, CA Kitchen From Traditional to Contemporary · More Info

You might want to draw out a plan for the mounting and hanging heights of the pendants before installing them, or have a mock-up created on a computer program, or even hold up the pendants in the configuration you might want and have someone else take a picture of the setup to see if you like it.

Alternately, you could go for a fixture that features multiple lights, staggered hanging levels (or the option to stagger them) and just one canopy, something like this Quoizel light.

thank you! That is the look I'm going for eventually if I change the recessed lights to pendants. I'm just unsure how to space the recessed lights now to get this look if I change to pendants later. I'm not sure the configurations are even compatible as it seems I need to space the recessed lights further apart than I would the pendants...

Unfortunately, it might not be possible to really space recessed lights now to convert to a clustered pendant look later. Recessed lights do indeed need to be spread further apart (see our guide to light sizing for more details).

thank you! I decided to space for recessed lights since I wanted an unobstructed look right now. I did a triangular pattern with one light directly in the center of the island, and 2 on the prep side of the island. I think I could then add a pendant to the center light if I wanted something different - and if not, my electrician lives next door :-)

Wow! What a convenient electrician. Seems like you have a good thing going here, so I'm happy--enjoy your kitchen and let me know if you need any more help.