It depends, of course, on how big your kitchen is, how many windows there are and probably other things I'm not thinking of.

But . . . in my kitchen, which is about 12 x 15 including an eat-in area and has a large north-facing window and two smaller west-facing windows, we have both a ceiling fan (a traditional Hunter with a schoolhouse type globe that holds -- I think -- one 75-watt bulb), three pendants (60-watt, one over the sink and a matching one in front of the second small window as well as one over the kitchen table, and three 5-inch cans (two over the range and one in front of the pantry cabinet). We also have undercabinet fluorescent strips.

I'm glad to have all those lights (except the second pendant which I only put up to balance the one over the sink and which we rarely turn on). I use the UC lights all the time, as well as the cans over the range. The ceiling fan light gives fair general purpose light but without the other task lighting my kitchen would be too dark.

All except the UC lights are on dimmers and I use the dimmers all the time too.

Keep in mind that you generally can't use can lights and a ceiling fan at the same time unless you really like strobe lights and migraine headaches. Of course it'll depend on the exact positioning of both.

We have LED cans and a ceiling fan with a light-- no strobe problems at all. The ceiling fan is small and relatively far from the cans. We are happy to have both, though we rarely use the light on the fan.

Just wanted to wish you luck!! I'm struggling with the same question right now (sufficient overall kitchen lighting). Glad you like the fan! :)

The kitchen is approx 11 x 11 with NO windows.
The Dining room ajoins it and has a wall of windows but the kitchen really is dark.
Hopefully when we paint the cabinets it will help some.
Hadn't thought about a strobe light effect. Glad you haven't had that problem waterdamage.
I'm still wondering how much under cabinet lights will help
or if they are more decorative?

Hi! Just thought I'd chime in. My soon to be old kitchen is 12 by 14. It too is in an interior room. We have a ceiling fan with lights (need them in the south), recessed lighting and under cabinet lighting. The under cabinet is terrific when doing prep work! In my kitchen, at least, it is functional not just decorative. As for the strobe effect I have never experienced that but the fan is on the other side of the room and is properly installed and sized to room. I'm sure Dave could clarify but I think the strobe effect happens when the fan is too large for the room.

Thanks iheartgiantschnauzer,
BTW, Iheartminischnauzers :)

Sounds as though what I am thinking will work out okay.
The fan is a 36" so I don't think it will be too large.

We talked to a salesperson in a lighting store and it was very helpful. She was a professional and her advice was not given because she expected a sale. A worthwhile evening activity. Bring your layout diagram and some photos.

I prefer pools if light and task light to ambient light in a kitchen, so I use a fan with no light, a pendent over the sink, two pendents over the peninsula, under cabinet lights, and the light in the range hood. [Unfortunately, I cannot disable the flash in my camera, to capture the light effects.]

Thinking about a future owner's possible preferences, I also have six cans about a foot from the walls in the ceiling of the 10 ft x 12 ft kitchen. The 42" fan does not create a strobe effect with the light from the cans.