I used Behr Premium Plus Ultra Pure White Ceiling Flat Interior Paint which looks good, brightens the space, and hides imperfections in the ceiling drywall well.

Replace the recessed lights with regressed LED lights -- ones whose lenses are above the trim -- (example) instead of wafer lights (example) to reduce glare. I prefer 3000K color temperature though you can buy fixtures with selectable color temperature and experiment. Control them with LED-compatible dimmers.

I would use a brighter white.

I would use a brighter white.

Thanks for the helpful feedback, everyone!
I think we have the so called “wafer lights”. Why are they not the best choice? I did not know there was a choice. Can we swap them out at a later time? Is the installation the same? Same size hole, etc?

We moved a couple of them over the island.

"I think we have the so called “wafer lights”. Why are they not the best choice?"

Because you see the wafer's glowing "lens"* which is flush with the ceiling from everywhere you may be standing or sitting (as you see in the photos above). The "lens" of a regressed LED is tucked up inside the fixture so you won't see it unless you're close or, depending on the depth, underneath.

"Can we swap them out at a later time?"

Yes, you can swap them for canless, regressed LEDs that fit in the same cutout.

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*I'm not really sure what to call it

Thanks for educating me on this. I totally see your point, but think I’ll stick with the wafer lights for now. They are on dimmers, so I can turn them down if they seem obnoxious. And , I will certainly go for the recessed ones in the future.