As someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, I want good, bright lighting which cans provide. In our first build in 1998, we used cans. Our last build 2 years ago also has cans--this time CREE LR6 led lights (for kitchen only--the only place we really use overhead lighting, and use it a LOT). I can't imagine other lighting scenario for the kitchen. You might have too many planned, but I can't imagine not using any. Looking up at our 10' ceiling, our cans look no closer than 40" apart.

I think it depends on the layout, etc. I wouldn't get them just because "everybody else has them". I have a small galley kitchen with a small eat-in area at the end. The whole room is about 8' x 19' before cabinets, etc. The galley's about 11' long, and the eat-in about 7' x 8'. There's a window over the sink and two windows in the eating area. It was kinda dark before the redo. I had a ceiling light in the galley area, an over the sink light and a ceiling light in the eating area. I didn't want to spend more for recessed, although there was going to be one over the sink. I used the same box locations with a flush ceiling light in the galley area, a semi-flush in the eating area, and because of a !surprise! ceiling joist, had to use a flush ceiling light over the sink. I did add LED dimmable tape lights (don't know the actual term) under the cabinets, and there's a light under the micro-hood that has 2 or 3 levels. I have more than enough light and no shadows. I think the main thing is that I selected fixtures that allowed 3 or 4 bulbs, at least 60w. That way I can make each fixture have a maximum light as bright as I want. (I've been happy with Cree 40w or 60w LED bulbs, and using 3-60w or 4-40w in a fixture is plenty bright!)

How wonderfully minimalist. I'd pay at least $899 to have that fixture in my home.

Get a wafer for that spot. they look like recessed cans but are only about and inch thick and have a juction box you can simply tuck up in the ceiling. They also offer retrofit kits so you can put the same ones where your current cans are so you dont have to remove them and theyll all match. The 6” wafer gives you enough room to get that j box out too. cut the nail with a sawzall and then open up the drywall enough to fit the wafer.