I think you have a workable plan. I'd put one of whatever is over the sink area, or a complementary one from the same product line, over the 3 ft. area. Recessed cans are bleh. I'm trying to avoid them myself in my project and meeting with great resistance. :) I used UNrecessed cans in my last remodel (from Rejuvenation's MCM collection) over the sink and a bit of no-uppers, but I was trying to fit it in with a retro house. (I do like Rejuvenation for mixing and matching lighting though--you can do a flush mount over the sink and have a matching pendant over the counter for example.)

I am not a guru but I can give you my opinion. Melanie on the regrets - while trying to minimalize them they still will happen! Flip side is you will likely also have some grrr that ends up turning out different but BETTER than you imagine. IMO stealing the foot makes it much more functional so I would do it in a heartbeat but I am not the expert. It also opens it up and will 'feel' better. I think that's a good spot for a broom closet and charging station and should easily stay tidy. It is about 5' wide yes? That is a nice size space. Measure what you have you want to store in there and then look for pics of what you are thinking. Utility sink in the garage - really in the winter there isn't much dirt and when it's exposed it's frozen too so I'd think the utility sink would get more use in the spring summer fall when it's thawed so I'd keep it on the table too. My opinion - your money. Ha! As far as 'enough room' - it sounds like your kids are younger based solely upon still being in the 'add more' season of life. :) I can tell you only to think seasons, think sports, cleats, basketball shoes, church shoes, boots, hiking shoes, tennis shoes, flops, bats, ball caps, backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles (if you have girls think even MORE shoes and then purses - ack)........ I will say for my 2 the space we have is more than adequate and it's quite roomy (I just double checked and it's actually 6.5' on a side so each person has 3' plus). That said we also have a closet near that I put off season stuff in and dog food. Winter coats and snow pants and boots are not in the locker area all year. I put them in the closet over spring/summer/fall. As long as you have a spot for that I think you are fine. Off season can closets can always be in the basement as well. There are always sweatshirts hanging and ball caps. Besides that there is always a stray nerf gun, goggles, flash lights and what have you hanging out there. I don't mind it there - it's out of the way and not underfoot! Old house it used to be in their rooms and all over. We had no designated space for outdoor wear anyplace besides bedrooms. If I am feeling brave I will snap a real life pic of it in action. It is easy to pick up and look presentable when needed but typically M-F it's a dumping spot. I like an open bench vs doors because we do use it to sit down to put stuff on and take stuff off regularly. And when our parents come and use that entry they love to be able to sit down to put on and remove shoes. It's comfortable and useful. With your window placement in the bathroom and the exterior door you will find it a nice light filled space. Our exterior door there is 3/4 glass and I love how it lights the hall. It is never a dark space.

My island is 58" x 105" with 8' ceilings. I went with two 13" Benson pendants. Perhaps it's because my ceilings are only 8', but I can't imagine having three of these in my space as they take up a large amount of visual space. I had considered going with three of the 7", but the consensus here was to go with the larger. Glad I did as they really do make a statement.

@cpartist thank you! I do love what you have done in your house with the trim too… but just at this phase of life and budget I cant put the money/time/effort into something like that. Trust me, I understand. It definitely added cost but visually made it feel more cozy while still having taller ceilings. It would be best to just lower the ceiling if i want it visually lower ya know? Absolutely. I will tell you that in my two old houses (1 a 1927 craftsman bungalow and the other a an 1898 victorian farmhouse style) I had 9' ceilings in both. It was the right height. Another thought is most people do prefer at least a 9' ceiling. So I appreciate your feedback and glad to know you think it would be okay. Do you think we should change the 8 foot header and door height if we go to 9 throughout? If you can, I'd try for a 7' header and door height, but if not, do the 6'8" one. I think an 8' one works in my hallways but I wouldn't want it in my upstairs with my 9' ceilings. (Pics below of upstairs with 9' ceilings and 6'8" door and window heights.) I’ll look closer at the kitchen arrangement. I guess anything is better than what I have now so I didnt notice. Look at all the dancing in circles I do when i cook right now. (red circle is MW/Oven). Poor design for sure 🤣 The two best kitchens I ever had to work in is the one I have now and the one in that 1927 bungalow. What they both had in common is excellent flow. Even though this one is 2x as large as that first one and this one has an island and that one just had the perimeter layout that worked, it saved steps and was so efficient. Upstairs hallway with 9' ceilings and headers and elevator door at 6'8". My studio with 6'8" doors. Realize that in my design, I brought the "ceiling" color down to the picture rail at the top of the door and window. You won't be doing that. Your wall color will continue to the top of the 9' wall so the doors will actually feel larger.