I like your approach with the recessed LEDs and warmer temps—definitely helps avoid that hospital-room vibe. When I redid my kitchen lighting a few years back, I actually went for pendant lights over the island instead. I found some vintage-style bulbs that gave off a cozy amber glow. Worked great for atmosphere, but honestly wasn't always practical for task lighting...sometimes wished I'd added subtle LEDs underneath cabinets too. Curious though, did you find it tricky hiding the wiring neatly?
Pendant lights can definitely add a nice visual anchor, but honestly, I think they're often overrated for kitchens. Like you mentioned, they're great for atmosphere but not always practical when you're trying to chop veggies or read a recipe. Personally, I've found that combining recessed LEDs with adjustable track lighting gives you way more flexibility. You can angle the spots exactly where you need them, and it doesn't have to look clinical if you choose warmer bulbs.
About hiding wiring—it's usually straightforward if you're doing recessed fixtures during a remodel, since everything gets tucked away behind drywall anyway. But retrofitting can be trickier, especially with under-cabinet lighting. I've seen some DIY jobs where the wires were pretty obvious...not ideal. Did you consider using slimline LED strips? They're super low-profile and easier to conceal neatly under cabinets or molding.
When we redid our kitchen lighting a couple years ago, I went all-in on pendant lights because they looked amazing in the showroom. But honestly, after living with them for a while, I totally get your point about practicality. They're beautiful, sure, but when I'm trying to read tiny print on a spice jar or chop onions without losing a finger, they're just not cutting it (pun intended).
We ended up adding some slim LED strips under the cabinets later on, and it was a game changer. They're subtle enough that you don't really notice them until they're on, and then suddenly everything's perfectly lit. Hiding the wiring was a bit of a headache though—our cabinets weren't designed with lighting in mind, so we had to get creative with molding and trim pieces to keep things tidy.
If I had to do it all over again, I'd probably skip the pendants altogether and go straight for recessed LEDs plus those slimline strips. Lesson learned the hard way...
I see your point about pendants, but honestly, I'd still keep at least one or two. Maybe just position them differently—like over an island or breakfast nook? They add warmth and personality that recessed LEDs alone sometimes lack... just my two cents!
I get what you're saying about pendants, but placement really is key. I remember renovating a client's kitchen a couple years back—they insisted on ditching pendants completely for recessed LEDs. Once everything was installed, the kitchen felt oddly sterile and flat. We ended up adding two small pendants over their breakfast bar, and it instantly warmed up the whole space. Sometimes it's just about finding that sweet spot between functionality and ambiance...
