Everyone has shadows from overhead lights because of the cabinets. Now install the undercabinet lights and be done with it.

I agree with Bev - add undercabinet lights. Make sure your ceiling lights are dimmable.

@BeverlyFLADeziner & @Sammie J - and leave the lights at the 40” off the wall placement? Obviously some shadows are expected, the current placement makes them just as bad if not worse than the prior light.

Undercabinet lights will solve the shadow problem. I wouldn't go thru the expense of moving the existing lights.... you will still be dealing with shadows.

I would have set them closer to the edge of the counter and I would have gone a tad warmer in the color of the bulb based on your kitchen. Yes under cab will help.

But I would have also staggered the placement. That being said the room is very well lit, I dislike the color of the light but you could definitely land a plane in there lol.

Sometimes its a matter of just getting used to it. I might have also kept a center decorative light that had it's own switch so it could be a little less at night.

Hoping you have a dimmer.

@RL Relocation LLC - thanks for the feedback! Do you have any suggestions on staggering placement? We are planning to move them at least closer to the counter edge, so we have the opportunity to shift things around when doing that. There is a dimmer!

We have a galley kitchen and actually hardly ever use the overhead can lights - we got good undercabinet lights on a dimmer and at full brightness they do a fantastic job of lighting up the whole space without any overhead shadows. I would honestly put my energy/money towards that first - the ceiling lights might become a non-issue once that is resolved.

I agree start with the undercabs first.

Also were the wafers intentional or was that the only option that would work? We did those retrofit trim kits for regular existing cans, and had to do wafers in one room because there wasn’t enough clearance to put in a regular can. I find the slight recess of the non-wafer lights makes a difference and the light isn’t as stark as with the wafers.

Looks like a pendent light over the sink might be nice. One on a separate switch near the sink would be even better.

@recordaras we did retrofit in our bathroom area where cans already existed and absolutely agree the light is better. The electrician recommended these based on installation and not having to work around the barriers that exist for regular cans. We didn’t do enough research ahead of time and just assumed it was the same type of light being installed differently. Lesson learned!

Do you mind sharing what kind of undercabinet lights you used that you are happy with?

@Kate if the rooms flowed differently I would love a pendant light, but with the flow it would look out of place.

We have GE Enbrighten - they come in several lengths, have high CRI, you can adjust the color temperature on the unit (3000/4000/5000K), dim well with our Lutron Divas, are priced reasonably and no issues with special wiring - our electrician swapped out old halogen pucks for these with no problems.

GE 34285 Enbrighten 12 Inch Front Phase LED Under Cabinet Light Fixture, Direct Wire, Natural True Color, CCT Adjustable, Warm Cool White/Daylight, 601 Lumens, in-Wall Dimmer Compatible https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M75GA8I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_eExUFbQJGBB61?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I am redoing my galley kitchen and deciding on some of the same issues. I want to be 3' off the walls because when you place the lights close to the walls it creates a shadow due to the cabinets. So I think your 40" should be fine. Because it is a galley kitchen I am thinking of using some type of staggered pattern, like maybe some in the middle but not aligned with the other lights.