In real life, does your kitchen area actually have a floor to ceiling wall of glass at one end? The reflections from any lights will show up on it.

Is there actually a large skylight in the kitchen ceiling?

Ok, I gotta say it -- that counter design at the window looks like a coffee shop.

If I'm seeing things correctly, you have floor-to-ceiling window - ? If so, make it a true galley kitchen, line up the cabinetry end of both sides, and end the counter at the end of the cabinet run. You can always make the area into a small seating area with a small bistro table or some other seating arrangement and leave the view intact.

My design book says that 16-18" should be allowed for each bar stool and that the spacing between the center line of each bar stool should be 24". So the minimum seating space should be 9+24+9" = 42" but that would allow no space to the left of the left-hand bar stool and no space to the right of the right-hand bar stool. I can understand why he designed the seating as he did. Plus we don't know what's beyond that window; perhaps it's a spectacular view of Central Park!

"...perhaps it's a spectacular view of Central Park!"

If that's the case, why would you put what amounts to a coffee shop counter right smack across the horizontal middle of it?

I'm not a pro but intrigued by your charming space. I would do the pot lights on the outer perimeter (over counter edge) as you mention, using a dimmer switch. Then have under cabinet lighting for the uppers. For the floating island I think a centered multi light pendant would be nice, also on dimmer switch. Photo idea below.

mxk3 z5b_MI: "If that's the case, why would you put what amounts to a coffee shop counter..."

Because they want to sit for a meal, not just stand to enjoy the view which they've maximized by installing a floor to ceiling window, not blocking the window with any cabinets, employing a slim countertop, and using minimalist (though probably uncomfortable) stools.

@apple_pie_order it does yes :)

@wdccruise No, thats the current (old) lighting its just a big white rectangle of (artificial) light, unfortunately also not a phenomenal view but 20yr old condo so window is gonna stay there

@porkchop_z5b_MI I currently have it setup this way but its unusable to cook anything more than a single meal, I have a dining room table currently at the windows which can only fit 2 people, takes up all the open space, and has appliances on it cause there's not enough storage in the current setup. I'm planning to move the dining table into the living room area, but its a 800sq ft condo so pretty limited on space.

@bearbev this is actually exactly what I had been thinking, I was just worried there might be a bit too many lights in such a small space but on looking online the spacing seems OK in the end. Was planning to have 2 dimmers (one for under cabinet light, one for potlight) and a more proper ceiling light at the end/open part

Thanks for info. Your lighting plan sounds fine.

I suggest mocking up the eating area with some boards and boxes so you can see how much elbow room you need. Eat there for a week once you get the mockup set up.

Many people in small spaces store appliances in closets outside the kitchen. A well-fitted closet with shelves can act as a food pantry and appliance storage area.

After looking at the drawings for awhile, I'd drop the continuous countertop. It not only looks weird but the narrowed countertop where it approaches the window is unlikely to be used for anything, cramps the seating space, and probably cannot be supported solely by the center post shown. Also, the kitchen countertop height (35") is neither dining-table height (29-31") nor bar-top height (42-45").

I'd stop the countertop at the edge of the cabinets* and add a full-width table (at dining-table height) across the window. I'd use dining chairs (example) that didn't block the view.

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*I'd make the cabinets on both sides the same length and make the right-hand wall cabinet closest to the window full height.

I really like a narrow eating spot, especially when the counter there can double as overflow prep space in a pinch!! 10-15 inches goes a long way, while maximizing the functional area.

There are wonderful hidden support bars that attach to a stud...

@wdccruise It's counter-height stools, I found plenty of reasonable stools online that are height adjustable and fit the height range of the countertop. It's not visible in the picture but there is an open face box on the left side to support the countertop and right side has a storage cabinet.

Am already locked on this design as I've purchased the countertop and cabinets, really was just looking for lighting input.

It's not at all the kitchen design I would go with, it reminds me of an RV. I would have utilized the corner wrapped window more, thought of the space next to the kitchen that sees into it (which was left out of the discussion about the windows being only for the kitchen), and grouped/reduced large appliances.

But, to answer your question, recessed lighting along the counter edge works fine here, there is enough space between fixtures. You can look at using 3", maybe even 2" if those fixtures fit your budget and design.

@3onthetree is smaller the standard these days? I was hoping to get some philips hue lights but since I need recessed/slim they only come in 5/6"

I would use a 2" recessed light such as one of these:

• Juno WF2 DREG B ALO25 SWW5 90CRI 120 MW M6
• Juno WF2 DREG SM ALO25 SWW5 90CRI 120 MW M6
• Maxxima MRL-S20803S

Avoid wafer lights whose lenses create glare and would be reflected in the window. Use with a Lutron LED+ dimmer such as the Lutron Diva.

Your existing built-in trough light is probably fluorescents. Which are larger fixtures, and you would have a dropped ceiling to allow them above the cover. The condo might have flat plate construction with all electrical and fixtures being ceiling mounted. What all this means is you should have room to fit a standard integral LED retrofit fixture (such as what wdccruise links) - you don't need wafers. Which gives you more and better choices.

6" recessed works and are still chosen by people for 8' ceilings, but because of the distance between them you don't have the refinement you might want to place exactly where you'd like with cabinets (both functionally and aesthetically). It's like using a sledgehammer on a thumbtack, IMO they are chosen for a value-oriented project.

can we see the current lighting? What is in the center on this layout? is that a sky light or old OG lighting flourescent?