I'd appreciate any advice. If someone could point me in the right direction to a "how to select lighting" article or discussion I would really apprectiate that too.

Thanks!

Flush mount lights will probably provide much better light to the sides. My master BR has his-and-hers can spotlights over the bed for reading, plus a central ceiling fixture plus lamps. For my walk-in closet (not huge, 6x8) and for my similar size pantry and for my 7x8 laundry, I am using a fixture with four 4ft fluorescent tubes -- I like to be able to see what I'm looking for. My hallways are a mix of surface mount and semi-recessed.

There are reasons to choose recessed cans and others that rule them out.
Reasons for
1. Style.
2. Ceiling height.

Reasons ruling them out
1. Physical limitations above the ceiling - height, obstructions, ...
2. Style - swiss cheese ceiling.
3. Architectural style - vaulted/ curved ceilings, ceiling height > 10 ft.
4. Cost of installation.

In lower cost homes, there might not be any recessed cans or flush mount lights. Instead, only wall sockets are provided for torchieres or table lamps.

In addition, traditional recessed cans have a limited cone of light since the bulb is encased inside a can. With LED lamps like the Cree CR/ LR series, Sylvania RT series, this is no longer true as the emitters are all forward facing and close to the surface.

Common approaches to lighting
The cheapest approach is to not provide any surface or flush mount points.

The next is to provide a mount point in the center of the room.

If a room is fairly large say 15' x 15', the centrally located surface mount fixture will probably not provide sufficient light for the room.

To remedy the situation (after the fact),
1. Floor and /or table lamps could be used.
2. Additional surface mounts/ pendants installed.
3. Wall sconces are added where they are deemed necessary.
4. Recessed cans added where they are deemed necessary. This results in a haphazard placement of holes in the ceiling.
5. T8 fluorescent lighting is used. The light distribution will improve since the light source is a long rectangular object. If a light box is used, the same limitations of a "bulb in a can" apply i.e. - the light spread will be constrained.
This is the cheapest and probably the least desirable due to over-illumination, lighting quality (- colors may not look correct) and the inherent slow start up of fluorescents.

The third approach would be to put in a number of recessed cans / fixtures to illuminate a space. This could be quite involved (under statement), but the results would be worth it.

Proper planning is required for lighting. It starts with figuring out the desired levels of illumination for each space.

The white integral trim baffles on my CR6's reflect alot of light, which throws a fair amount of illumination sideways. But at the cost of additional glare if you look up at the lights, compared to traditional PAR30 or PAR40 floodlamp bulbs inside a black step baffle or aluminized reflector. The latter are available in three dark colors for the Cree lamps (except the "CR4" but those are probably on the way too), but they negate the price advantage of not having to buy separate trims that you'd get if you stick with the included white trim.

Lee676- what do you consider a "small" room. I'm unsure about our mudroom and laundry room. Laundry has a couple windows is about 10'x8.5' and the builder has a fluorescent light in there. I really hate fluorescent lights! The mudroom has no natural light and is about 9'x8'. There is just one ceiling light proposed in there now.

Also, how difficult is it to add sconces later? I feel like I want a pair in our music room, but I just can't picture where yet. I think I need to wait until after we move in and get the grand piano and other furniture in place first.

Thanks again everyone! :)

Putting in additional wire in the areas where the lights could be and the necessary space(s) for switch(es) would make it much simpler to install additional sconces after the grand piano and furniture is moved in.

10' x 10' probably the largest room I'd consider lighting witha single fixture. A common fluorescent lamp that uses the 4' tubes disperses light well because its large size

Sconces can be added later as long as you can fish a wire to the location - easy if there's a basement below or an attic above, and still not too hard if there isn't and armored cable can be pulled through using a fished tape reel.