We put ours just where you're wanting to put it -- to the left of the sink, all by itself.

The only downside is what you're describing, turning off the lights at night. You could get around this by putting switches both places. If you don't have loads of switches already, that's a nice idea. (I already had 6 switches on my main control area for the kitchen, so the last thing I needed was another switch there.)

Yes it could be switched from the doorway and next to the sink.

Mine is next to the sink. I have enough lighting in my kitchen that I only use this light when I'm working in the sink area otherwise it's off.

Mags438, I do think I'll use an air switch for the disposal. I like the motion idea but would need to think it through.

Now that I'm looking at pendants, I feel like they need more wattage. Wouldn't 100w or the LED equivalent be the minimum? I see some really pretty ones but 60w max .....and they would not look right without an Edison or similar style bulb.

Our sink switch is right next to our disposal switch, just left of the sink. It has been that way for 18 months and has not been a problem. In the old kitchen it was very similar and was never a problem in the 4+ years I had it.

The biggest factor for me, I think, was putting a dimmable switch on the main kitchen lighting.

If it is late at night and I need to do some dishes, I turn on the main lights, dimmed to a very low setting, walk to the sink and turn on the sink light. When I'm done I turn off the sink light and them turn off the dimmable main lighting as I leave.

Dimmable switches cost less than 30 dollars and are well worth the investment. I have switched out regular switches for dimmable ones in almost every room in my house.

I found in my old house that they also came in handy when guests were staying who weren't familiar with our house. We could leave the living room light on at a low level (more like a night light) and they could easily find their way around without trouble.

If I were ever to buy or remodel a house again, every room would have a dimmable switch.

Unless you won't have enough overhead lighting, you may not need 100w equivalent. Honestly, I have enough lighting in my kitchen (overhead/room recessed, ucl, display and on the separate switch over the sink). But who knows if 'enough is enough' at the rough-in stage. I rarely turn on the light over the sink. I just realized though, I do have a counterheight window in front of sink and one of the recessed ceiling lights is in front of sink. It currently has a recessed light there as a placeholder for a pendant I have yet to think about - I think sink lite will be more decor than sole function.

We use our over sink light a lot. It is recessed but larger than the other recessed lights in the kitchen. Its the first light we turn on and then turn on the other lights as needed. Its also the last light to be turned off. In the evening we leave it as the only light in the kitchen if we are in the living room. We also leave it on if one of the kids isn't home yet when we go to bed. The switch is on the right of the sink a few inches from the disposal switch.

This light wasn't part of the original light plan and DH added it as he thought it would be useful. Was he ever right about that. I can't imagine not having it.

Our switch is mounted to the bottom of the wall cabinet to the left of the sink in a low profile housing, so it doesn't mess up my backsplash more than it already is (there are plenty of outlets to do that job).

Our switch is in the backsplash to the left of the sink along with a switch for UCL and outdoor lighting. The one can over the sink is the light we leave on at night so no worries about having to trek back through the kitchen to turn lights on/off. All the rest of the ceiling lights in the kitchen are controlled by either a switch at the main entrance of the kitchen or a switch we added during the reno. It is sort of around the corner from the kitchen but it's right at the bottom of the staircase so when we go upstairs at night, the switch is right there and we don't have to go back around the bar to turn off the kitchen lights. My DH thought it was an unnecessary addition to our electrical budget but now he thinks I'm a genius every time he uses it!!!