I numbered my questions, and I see that the numbers didn’t get included in the original post… let me try that part again so it’s readable:

1. Should I add sconces to the dining room as noted?

2. Are 3, 12” round schoolhouse style pendants over a 9’ island too big? (Note there is seating on two sides of the island)

3. Should the ceiling fan in the living room be centered in the room (as shown)? Or shifted a couple of feet closer to the fireplace so it’s centered in the (anticipated) seating area?

4. What do you think about recessed lights A B C D? (I really had no idea where to put lights in the living room)

5. How close to the upper cabinets should recessed lights G H I J be?

6. Should recessed light “I” be in the corner (as shown) or a couple of feet to the left/centered on that run of cabinets?

7. Are recessed lights E and F necessary, or is that overkill?

That is so irritating.. trying again with letters instead of numbers. Sorry!

A) Should I add sconces to the dining room as noted?

B) Are 3, 12” round schoolhouse style pendants over a 9’ island too big? (Note there is seating on two sides of the island)

C) Should the ceiling fan in the living room be centered in the room (as shown)? Or shifted a couple of feet closer to the fireplace so it’s centered in the (anticipated) seating area?

D) What do you think about recessed lights A B C D? (I really had no idea where to put lights in the living room)

E) How close to the upper cabinets should recessed lights G H I J be?

F) Should recessed light “I” be in the corner (as shown) or a couple of feet to the left/centered on that run of cabinets

G) Are recessed lights E and F necessary, or is that overkill?

"Should I add sconces to the dining room as noted?"

Not unless you love them for a decorative purpose. But you should lengthen the buffet add lamps and lose the very unimportant round table in the corner with its lamp.

Are 3, 12” round schoolhouse style pendants over a 9’ island too big? (Note there is seating on two sides of the island)

It's fine!

Should the ceiling fan in the living room be centered in the room (as shown)? Or shifted a couple of feet closer to the fireplace so it’s centered in the (anticipated) seating area?

CENTERED in the room

Personally ? I hate ceiling fans, and hate them more with a light. A decorative fixture is nicer. If you must have it, make it disappear in white, and please skip the light on it.

What do you think about recessed lights A B C D? (I really had no idea where to put lights in the living room)

E/F and ARE PROBABLY not necessary unless you want them. Not sure your furniture tv placement is ideal.....note you have eight for dinner and three folks go home for lack of a place to sit ?

How close to the upper cabinets should recessed lights G H I J be?

Recessed near cabinet fronts should LIGHT THE COUNTER TOP.

I prefer recessed over a sink. Two of them : ) if at all possible. Limit the dingle dangles, especially in open spaces.

Under cabinet lighting is also great.

I am not a lighting expert, just giving my opinion.

A) Lose the sconces.

B) Pendants are fine.

C) Unsure.

D) Would place recessed lights A,B,C,D equidistant from ceiling fan, creating a square, and use ceiling fan without light. Ceiling fan would be in middle of square and recessed lights would provide uniform light throughout living area, instead of focused by fireplace and window.

E) In our kitchen, upper cabinets are 12” deep and lower cabinets are 25” deep. Recessed lights are about 20” from walls.

F) Not sure.

G) Recessed lights E and F are unnecessary.

I suggest consulting with your lighting installers. They no doubt have plenty of experience with layouts, and know what works both functionally and aesthetically.

Gibson Island · More Info

Picture of ceiling fan surrounded by four recessed lights creating a square.

I have an opinion on some of your questions. I'd keep the ceiling fan and definitely do one without a light kit. Our designer chose these ones for our recent remodel.

I'd keep some kind of sconces in the dining room to give yourself accent lighting. Chris Loves Julia just had a good post about the three types of lighting you want in each room. I don't know if the placement of your sconces is the best. What about on either side of the buffet? Then you could put a mirror or a piece of art right above the buffet. I'd lose the table lamp in the dining room.

I think the cans in your kitchen need to move over your countertops a little bit. Right now they'll be shining down on your head as your working, which will create shadows.

Next up, you'll have to think about outlet placement and where you want switches. I recommend you put everything on dimmers. Everything. And put can lights on a switch separate from your pendants etc. Give yourself as many options as possible. If you like to leave a soft light on overnight in your kitchen, think about what that will be. Consider putting an outlet in your mantle so you can plug in a cute lamp there, or twinkle light at the holidays. I wish I had that. The other regret I have is not specifying exactly where I wanted outlets in our backsplash; ours are dead center and I wish they were down lower close to the countertop. Less conspicuous that way I feel.

I know it's stressful, but your future self will thank you for thinking through these details in advance!

Thanks everyone for your comments thus far, I appreciate it! I will put the recessed lights in kitchen closer to the upper cabs so they shine on my countertops. And love the suggestion for an outlet above fireplace mantle, thanks for that! I’ll nix the table lamp in the dining room and put lights on sides of the buffet.

For recessed light “I” in the corner, should it stay in the corner or move to the left a foot or two to be centered? See pic.

For recessed lights A and B, would you do wall washers or gimble lights? I was thinking they would highlight the mantle and any artwork or pictures we have up there.

Recessed lights C and D would be down lights, how far from the wall/double sliding doors should they be?

Jan, I agree there isn’t really enough seating. Any suggestions? I haven’t bought any furniture for that room, so easy to change the plan now.

Thanks all!