The most-often lighting layout error is attempting to light your kitchen with one ceiling fixture mounted in the middle of your room. Not only does a single light source become “glare” any time you look into the kitchen, but also you don’t get the light you need on your countertops. Every time you bend forward to do work on your countertops you are working in your own shadow.
The second most-often lighting error is to planning your recessed lighting layout in a grid pattern without any relationship to your cabinet plan or lighting needs. The first question to ask when planning your lighting is: "why light?" Once you know why, then you can plan the type of light you need.
The third most-often lighting error is not planning for adequate wall space to locate your lighting controls. Many times a full height refrigerator end panel is placed too close to a room entry. Other times there is a tall cabinet placed nearest to the entry. In each of these examples there is no room to place the lighting controls.
Tip:
At each room entry location, you want to allocate enough wall space to locate a 3-gang wall plate. Since the gang boxes are recessed and fastened to the stud, measure from the stud, not from the door opening. If this is new construction, make an allowance for your door trim.
