The keep/remove ceiling fan in the kitchen decision is solely an opinion. This light is not necessary for the open floor, but here does provide some help for the counters and cabinets.

The existing 4" recessed would be inadequate without this central fixture, even now with the fan light it seems a bit dark for tasks.

I would not keep the same existing locations (assuming Edison style) with new replacement 4" or 6" fixtures. Rather, if you are doing any lighting rework, I would adjust the layout and add more locations with 4" fixtures, and then you would not need the central light at all (but you could keep a fan without a light if you like fans in kitchens).

If undercabinet lighting is in the budget, that would take it to the next step too, in any scenario (keep all as is or add more recessed).

My comments I hope are made to elicit feedback, rather than tell you how it should be done. Because as a first time home buyer not even in the house yet, sometimes it might be best to live there a bit to see exactly what you want to do and begin to form personal preferences in real time. Maybe you want to have a larger sink and pendants. Maybe after your first big party you want an island and rid the peninsula. Those would entail different lighting scenarios.

Thank you for the great advice. Since we may change the kitchen layout in the future, it may be good to keep the lighting layout as it. We'll definitely look into undercabinet lighting.

We don't like having the fan/light in the kitchen.

So if we simply replace the fan lights and existing lighting with matching LED recessed, will 4 inch or 6 inch be better option?

It's not a simple answer. If keeping those locations and removing the fan, 6" would serve better for lighting, but I don't think you will be switching to 6" because:

- if you have existing 4" new construction housings (Edison), it is too much trouble just to bump up to 6" integral LED fixtures as you are tearing out the ceiling to remove the housings. Really not even a reason to install 4" retrofit LED fixtures into the existing 4" new construction housings, unless you like the flush lens look. So if you are tearing out, go with a new layout and 4".

- If you have existing 4" remodel housings or 4" integral LED's, then you can easily remove them and bump up to 6". But, in this scenario, because they are so easy to remove, adding in a couple more fixtures in between the existing would be easy too, which then should all be 4" fixtures.

- If you are saying you will put a recessed light at the fan, I wouldn't.

- The first assumption is they are 4" from estimating size from the pictures, and when lit you can't tell if they are old Edison trims or new integral LEDs.

______________

If this is swahili to you, look up about what the differences are between:

- recessed new construction housings

- recessed remodel housings

- integral LED recessed lights

- integral LED retrofit recessed lights

Thank you for all these details. It took me several google searches to understand what you mean. I hope it's not new construction housing since it was remodeled around 2010 by the seller.

After I review your comments and a bit more research, I'm thinking about adding more lights near pantry/fridge area.

Will such placement be better than putting a light where the fan currently is?

I'm leaning towards 6 inches on all these lights, hoping it'll just make things brighter.

Those 2 locations are a good addition. You'll find out what you have to work with once you get the keys.