You're spot-on about layering lighting—it's not overkill at all. I live in an older home, and mixing recessed lights with pendants and under-cabinet LEDs completely transformed my kitchen. It feels cozy yet practical...and dimmers really do make all the difference.
Layering lights definitely has its perks, but honestly, I found recessed lighting a bit tricky in my historic home. When we redid our kitchen, we initially went all-in on recessed fixtures, thinking they'd blend seamlessly. Turns out, the installation was a nightmare—old plaster ceilings don't exactly play nice with modern recessed cans. We ended up with cracks and patchwork repairs that took forever to fix.
In the end, we swapped out most of the recessed lights for vintage-style pendants and wall sconces. Surprisingly, it gave the kitchen a warmer, more authentic feel that suited the home's character better. I do agree about dimmers though...they're a lifesaver when you're trying to set the right mood or just avoid blinding yourself at midnight snack time.
I guess it really depends on your home's quirks and your patience level with renovations. Older houses can be stubborn, but that's part of their charm, right?
"Older houses can be stubborn, but that's part of their charm, right?"
Couldn't agree more on this. Historic homes definitely have their quirks, and recessed lighting can be especially tricky. If you're set on recessed fixtures, consider low-profile LED wafer lights—they're thinner and easier to install without damaging plaster. But honestly, pendants and sconces often complement older architecture better anyway...sounds like you found a great solution that fits your home's character nicely.
I'm still figuring out lighting myself, and honestly, recessed lights seemed like the obvious choice at first. But after reading this, I'm second-guessing it a bit...maybe pendants would add more personality? Our kitchen ceiling isn't super high though—would pendants make it feel cramped? Curious if anyone else has dealt with lower ceilings and pendant lights. I do like the idea of those wafer LEDs too, hadn't heard of them before. Might be worth looking into...
You're right to reconsider pendants if your ceiling's lower—too large or low-hanging ones can crowd the space. But smaller-scale pendants, especially ones with minimal designs and adjustable cords, can actually add character without feeling cramped. I've installed wafer LEDs in several kitchens lately, and they're fantastic for tight ceilings. They're sleek, unobtrusive, and surprisingly bright. Maybe consider mostly wafers for overall lighting, then sprinkle in one or two small pendants over an island or dining spot for personality? Could give you the best of both worlds...
