Lighting needs to installed to not create shadows so usually 12" out from the front of the counter works best not the front of the upper cabinets but the counter. I never use dimmers in kitchen lighting I use under cabinet lighting on a separate switch for the times when you do not need all the lighting. The only time IMO a kichen needs very little light is when you are raiding the fridge late at night the rest of ther time IMO a kichen needs lighting to be as bright as possible. So all LEDs 4000K and 4” pots are fine but no bigger.

Omg I have dimmers on everything! I would do the lights in a grid 24” off the wall which would put them in two 54” rows, my kitchen lights are in a grid roughly 4’ oc, you could make your grid 54 x 54 depending on joist layout (they are always exactly where you want a can!)

Lights should be placed at the counter edge to avoid shadows. As a general statement you use 4" or 6" for general lighting depending on the criteria of the space and the lighting design.

A drawing is best, but at first interpretation of verbage it appears 4" along the edge of each counter, aligned across the 54", is a good start.

Here are the recessed lights in my galley kitchen. On the right hand side, there was supposed to be a light centered over the kitchen sink, but something (plumbing lines? Beam?) forced it off center. On the left, fridge placement made it more practical that the lights not line up. The lack of symmetry bothers me not one bit.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your advice and ideas.

@ Carrie, the photo is very helpful. Are those 4” LEDs or smaller? They look nice and bright, and your pendants are beautiful with their warm glow.

@ 3onthetree and HALLETT, Thank you both for confirming that the lights should be at the counter edge. I definite want to avoid shadows. I like the grid suggestion!

@ Patricia, Thank you for the light temperature advice. I will have one existing light on a dimmer but all the new ones will be on a separate switch. I agree,when I’m working I want bright light. Your comment about raiding the fridge was funny!

LP, they are 4" LED's on a dimmer, and they're perfect. Thanks for the compliment on the pendants. I got them from this ETSY vendor and I couldn't be happier. Also, despite shipping from across the world in Israel, he shipped quickly and was a delight to work with. Considering that these are handmade by a glass artist, the price is great, too!

I have always had recessed lights on dimmers. Sometimes you just don't want the place lit up like an OR.