How high are the ceilings? What size cans are you using? I presume you have under cabinet lights too?

We usually place the recess lights just in front of the cabs, above works areas, so they don't cast shadows if someone is working, In your case, I'd probably put one above the sink ( again probably just above the edge of the base cab, and the opposite side of the room by the cabs just for symmetry. Maybe a third evenly between just to the right of the stove ( you have alight on the hood?) One over the bench on the left and again for symmetry just to the right of the fridge.

We often tape up paper plates on the ceiling and let our homeowners 'live" with that for a day or to make sure they like the placement.

We also put LED under cab lighting in the work areas against the back of the cab. they give good task lighting and show off the tile, especially glass. make sure you get a good tile install as the lighting will show off a sloppy tile install.

BTW did you hire a contractor or are you doing this on your own? ( did doing it on your own save you any $? or stress?

Hallett-- The ceilings are 9ft with 6 inch recessed cans. There is no under cabinet lighting (out of budget).

Steveworks / Patricia Colwell - I added the recessed lights in red and pendant lights in blue in the image below. Does this look better? Would you suggest any changes? I feel that if the electrician didn't select the proper locations the first time, he probably won't do it well the second time either. We are using a contractor.

So the red marks are where they are or where you want them?

Where I think they should be based on these comments.

no -- think in terms of functional spaces, not tidy alignments. center over sink, but fridge is lit from inside, etc. back in a minute with a new drawing.

Here are two alternatives -- with 6" cans, I think the first would be sufficient, but I put in the second depending a bit on how the open space/walkways to other rooms is covered. I'm also assuming that the mark at the top of the kitchen is a door, not a window; thus the light just inside, which is just a preference. Anyway, notice how the lights are placed *over* the counters, just in front of the upper cabinets, so that your body doesn't cast a shadow on your work. I also put on in front of what I presume is a pantry next to the fridge. Appliances tend to have their own lights.

For the lights on the left, Steveworks said to put them above the edge of the base cabinets to avoid shadows which is why I had them that way in my drawing. Is that incorrect then? They should be pushed in more over the counter rather than the edge?

They should be pushed in more over the counter rather than the edge?

No
My lighting designer advised me to put my 6" disc LEDs centered over the edge of the counter. That way there are not shadows either on the counter as you work, or being cast onto the fronts of the lowers. Mine are spaced just about 4ft apart (center-center) and that was based on the specs for my particular lights (obtained from the manufacturer's website) and 8' ceiling, so that the "cone" or diameter of the light on the work surfaces overlapped just a bit - for even lighting. My kitchen is small, no island, so it only needed lights on two sides - the second side (with the frig and pantry, and a small cabinet with top for landing space and phone) I placed the lights away a tad more, to illuminate the cabinet interiors and center of the room more, as there isn't really a work surface on that side.

I also have a small pendant over the sink, which is set in farther because I lean in farther when washing things.

She also said to pay attention to whether an open cabinet upper door will block a light from illuminating the inside of the cabinet - you may have to adjust placement for that. Please do not worry about symmetry in your lighting layout! You won't be looking up at the lights to admire their symmetry, but you will notice uneven lighting!

If you ever do decide to add undercabinet lights (if you can afford to, get the wiring in now) they should be placed at the front of the cabinets. That really is the most useful location for lighting the work area.

If lights are beyond the edge of the counter, then when you stand at the counter, you cast a shadow. My placement was deliberate.

acm - others are saying the light should be right at the counter edge. You placed them centered over the counter. Which is better?

raee_gw - do you have a picture of your cabinets and lights on a map to demonstrate this? Are you saying the placement of the lights by the sink in my second photo is ok (maybe could just slightly push the lights to the left a little more to better align with the lower cabinet edge)?

Center on the edge of the counter. When you place them centered over the counter they are far too close to the upper cabinets and you will get ‘hot’ spots.

^ What Hallett said. The center of your light should be over the edge of your counter - any counter that you will be using as work space ( I am wondering about the light placement between the microwave and fridge, in your drawing... looks like counter there? The lights on that side of the room do not need to be in a straight line! if that is what is needed to illuminate the area properly)

I would also say that you don't need one directly in front of the fridge; move it down to align more with the right edge of the fridge - so can illuminate that last area to its right, and also an over-fridge cabinet if you will have one. If no over fridge cabinet, it can be in front of the 18" base cabinet .

How the lights are spaced (that is, how far apart they are and so, how many) will depend on the specs of the light itself and your ceiling height. So that I cannot judge from your drawing. Think about whether you need to add ceiling lights in the space between your island and the living room, as acm has suggested.

Lights shouldn't be at the edge of the counter. . . They should be 6-8" in from the edge.

LED. Light output comes in different color temperatures. 2700k is yellow to mimic incandescent lighting. 3000k or 3500k are my choice and are warm but not yellow. 4000k and 5000k are closer to noon daylight. A bit stark, imo. OK for a garage or outdoor flood lighting.