I feel this! When I redid my kitchen lighting, I fell for these gorgeous industrial-style fixtures online...but in reality, they hung way too low and I kept bumping my head. Ended up with recessed lights too—lesson learned the hard (and slightly bruised) way, haha.
I ran into a similar issue when updating the lighting in my historic home. Initially, I chose these elegant pendant fixtures that matched the period aesthetic perfectly—at least on paper. Once installed though, they cast awkward shadows and obstructed sightlines across the kitchen. Ultimately, I opted for a combination of recessed lights for general illumination and subtle under-cabinet LEDs for task lighting. It wasn't my first choice aesthetically, but practically speaking, it's been ideal...and no more accidental collisions with low-hanging fixtures.
I get what you're saying about practicality, but honestly, recessed lighting isn't always the best choice, especially if you're aiming for energy efficiency or sustainability. When I redid my kitchen a couple years back, I went all-in on recessed LEDs thinking they'd be perfect—sleek, modern, and out of the way. But I noticed they weren't as cozy or inviting as I'd hoped. Plus, cutting into my ceiling insulation to install them actually caused some heat loss issues I hadn't anticipated.
Eventually, I switched out a few of those recessed lights for surface-mounted LED fixtures. They're low-profile enough to avoid collisions (no head bumps here either!) but don't compromise insulation or energy efficiency. And surprisingly, they gave the space a warmer feel overall. Under-cabinet LEDs are fantastic though—totally agree with you there. Just something else to consider if you're ever looking to tweak things down the road...
I hear you about recessed lighting—I flip houses and have seen my fair share of kitchen lighting regrets, haha. I actually ran into the insulation issue you mentioned on a recent project. Thought recessed LEDs would be sleek and minimalist, but yeah... cutting into insulation wasn't ideal, and the vibe was kinda cold and sterile. Ended up adding a couple of pendant lights over the island, and it made a huge difference. They weren't fussy or anything—just simple fixtures—but they warmed up the space nicely.
Under-cabinet LEDs are definitely a winner, though. I always put those in now because they really brighten up countertops without glaring in your eyes. If I were redoing my own kitchen today, I'd probably go for surface-mounted LEDs or maybe even track lighting—it's come a long way style-wise, and you can angle the lights exactly where you need them. Plus, no insulation headaches. Live and learn, right?
Totally agree on the under-cabinet LEDs—they're a game changer for prep work. I went with recessed LEDs in my last remodel too, and while I didn't have insulation issues (luckily), I did find the lighting a bit harsh. Ended up swapping out a couple bulbs for warmer color temps, which helped soften things up. If I did it again, I'd probably mix in some indirect lighting—maybe LED strips above cabinets—to bounce softer light off the ceiling and balance things out.
