Good call on the indirect lighting. I did something similar—ran LED strips along the top of my cabinets to bounce off the ceiling, and it made a huge difference. A few things I'd tweak if I did it again:
- Definitely stick with warmer color temps (2700K-3000K). Cooler lights felt too clinical for me.
- Dimmer switches everywhere. Seriously underrated for adjusting mood and brightness.
- Skip recessed lights altogether or at least limit them. They always seem to cast weird shadows no matter how carefully placed.
- Consider pendant lights over islands or eating areas. Adds character and softer, more focused lighting.
Honestly, after messing around with recessed cans and bulbs for years, I'm leaning more toward layered lighting—under-cabinet LEDs for tasks, indirect strips for ambient glow, and pendants or sconces for accent. Feels more balanced overall.
"Dimmer switches everywhere. Seriously underrated for adjusting mood and brightness."
Couldn't agree more about dimmers—they're a game changer. One thing I'd add, though, is to pay attention to the CRI (Color Rendering Index) of your bulbs. Even if you stick to warmer temps like 2700K-3000K, a low CRI can still make colors look dull or off. I learned this the hard way after installing some cheaper LEDs that made my kitchen feel oddly lifeless, despite being warm-toned.
Also, while recessed lights can indeed cast weird shadows, I've found that using adjustable trims or gimbals helps a bit. You can angle them slightly toward walls or cabinets to bounce the light indirectly, reducing harsh shadows. Still, I agree they're best used sparingly.
Pendant lights are great, but I've personally had better luck with semi-flush mounts over dining areas—less dusting and easier to keep clean. Just something else to consider if you're not a fan of frequent maintenance...
Definitely agree on dimmers and CRI—makes a huge difference. I'd just add:
- Under-cabinet lighting is underrated, especially in older kitchens with limited overhead options.
- Vintage-style fixtures look great in historic homes but watch out for tricky bulb replacements... learned that one the hard way.
