I'd definitely do the recessed lighting.

I would do either this pattern (using five rather than six)

Or this one, minus the two in the center on the edges

Thank you! We are a bit low on lamps right now (again, thanks to the toddler), but I'm about to reintroduce some since he's getting a little older now.

I don't think 8' ceilings precludes a light fixture. If you want recessed, go for it. I have 8' and no ceiling lights in my living room but I have various other light sources (sconces flanking fireplace and floor lamps flanking sofa) that I prefer to ceiling lighting. In other rooms in which I have ceiling lights, I have found some pretty flush mounted fixtures. Here is one I love from a blogger with 8' ceilings. Reasonably priced as well, IMO. http://emilyaclark.com/2016/01/flush-mount-lighting-in-the-living-room.html?m

i think it would look nice in your space.

My last house had 8 ft ceilings in a good portion of the house. As it was all I knew it never occurred to me not to do a center fixture. There are some great flush mount options. You could do a center and the recessed and have dimmer options.

Get some museum wax to put under the lamps so your toddler can't pull them over.

And yes, definitely have the recessed lights put on a dimmer.

Museum wax?? Never heard of that! That sounds like a great trick! I'm less worried about him pulling things over than him having a tantrum and throwing stuff in a fit of rage. He's very manageable when he is in a good mood, but anything can happen when he flies in his occasional (totally age-appropriate but unpredictable) meltdowns.

Don't like recessed lights unless the area is utilitarian. I, like Annette, think that standard ceilings can take center light. I don't think the ceilings seem lower with it. They seem lower when you have all this expanse of empty ceiling hovering over your head. When you have something nice on the ceiling-you have something nice to look at, and forget that height. You can even go with a pendant, over the table or in the corner, so nobody hits his/her head:)

And of course, whether you install central fixture or not-you can/should bring floor lamps, table lamps, etc. The room can not benefit just from overhead lighting. You need task lights, mood lights, whatnot. Luckily these are much easier to find for normal price, and they don't need to be hardwired, and they can be moved around, etc. And some are really really interesting too.

Dimmers are always a great idea. Whatever you install.

PS I never had a home with standard 8' ceilings-until now. It made me really nervous-what to do with lights? As we went further with our remodel-it helped me reconsider some of the common rules, and just to do what I liked.

They just don't make as many beautiful flush mounts and semi flash mounts as they used to, in 50-60's when the ceilings started being lower, for all sorts of reasons. But they make some still. Or old great ones can be found too.

Museum wax will hell prevent accidents, but it is unlikely to be able to hold up against a toddler determined to flip the lamp/climb up a cord. In some states it is called "quake-hold"

My first thought was recessed lights then later down the road you can add lamps when and where you need them. I remember when my kids were little and thinking I'd never get to have anything decorative or candles out ;-)

I would put 3 across the front of the fireplace...those could either be down lights so you'd need to decide if you want to highlight the shelf or the front of the fireplace. Or you could put directional lights in that aim the light toward the fireplace.

I'd put one centered on the window and one to the right of that to light up the dark corner.

I'd put one on the opposite corner to see into the closet and a directional trim on one over the sofa to help highlight the artwork.

Thank you everyone!!

Hmm, something to think about for sure. I just hadn't pictured flush mount fixtures and certainly not ceiling fans.

You need LAMPS, not pot lights in the ceiling!

I can't have too many lamps. Toddler.

But I will concede that perhaps if overhead lights are not ideal, that poking holes in the ceiling is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Yeah..does remind a Swiss cheese a bit to me..))

But four lights-still four outlets..four boxes in the ceiling..

maybe central flush mount or semi-flush mount and/or swag pendant, because you don't need to hardwire it? The rest-lamps, sconces maybe? Sconces are also very cool.

I cringe whenever I see a beautiful room lit by a ceiling fixture. The light is so unflattering. When driving by a house at night I can usually tell if they are using a ceiling light. Lamps are so much better!

It depends. I went with a drum pendant in the dining-there's shade so the light is soft, muted. Guest will feel themselves being prettier (and moi too I hope)) A guest room got a bit strange looking fixture , but it's pink glass..the light it gives is nothing short of amazing. For that, I love it. The pendant in the master was put there purely for mood and beauty..it's not central though. It's more like a jewelry piece. Blinking in the dark. In terms of height-it's probably where a higher floor lamp would come to.

I agree though never to rely just on the ceiling light. Even before all the other reasons-it's simply not enough, when it's night time. Maybe it's just me, but I find hard to read, when just the ceiling light is on.

Of course there should be other sources of light in the room. The more the merrier.

But then I grew in the culture where every room had ceiling light..it's my normal, and it's comforting for me to have it. Then I choose the ones that will make sense for a room and its purpose.

It's easy for me to add lamps of any kind, because I love them a lot. And they are easy to score. And I love how quirky and fun they can be. You also worry less with them than with the ceiling ones..everything hardwired , being more "permanent", is always a harder decision, so you take long time to consider it.

Update: went for 5 recessed LEDs and am glad I did. Also had him add a box in the center for a flush ceiling fan, which I haven't yet purchased, with no light. This is a functional item for us as fans really made the bedrooms in our house much more livable after we had them installed. Thanks to you all for your input!

oh, and I will also be adding some more lamps. The one Yu see on the table is one I already had downstairs (removed after toddler came along, back on a trial basis). We also need a gooseneck reading light and a couple others, probably. :)

Yay...light!! There are plenty of nice looking ceiling fans to choose from, I'm sure you'll find something that will great in your space.