Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - How can I install a light under a shelf above the kitchen sink?

I'm a month away from a major kitchen remodel and I'm trying to figure out how to get decent lighting above the kitchen sink.

THE GOOD: We're replacing all the cabinets, but leaving the kitchen sink where it is. This means I can utilize the existing switched wire from the current over sink light.

THE BAD: We're removing the existing above-cabinet soffits to make way for taller cabinets (more storage). The current over sink light is recessed.

THE UGLY: In the new layout, above the sink won't be a convenient soffit space, nor a cabinet to hide wiring. Instead, we're going to have a decorative shelf. Which means I may need to get creative with wiring/lighting.

Here's the options I've brainstormed so far:
1.) Puck/florescent light fixture - I'm concerned that this will be enough light for doing dishes (the shelf will still be far above the sink, not at eye level)

2.) Wire a junction box on/under the shelf - maybe not very pretty, and questionably to code

3.) Cut a hole in the shelf and recess a thin/pan electrical box from the top - would prefer not to cut giant hole into shelf, and would still need to run conduit on top of shelf.

4.) Similar to #3, except flush-mount the thin/pan box to the underside of the shelf, then try to rig the fixture over it.

5.) Forget a box and just install a pendant/fixture directly to the shelf - likely not to code


What other ideas do you have? What do you think of the options I've lain out?

Thank you!
:wall: Dan

I'm trying to better envision what you will have here....how about a 2' track section, with two heads or pendants?? You can use an end feed connector, eliminating the need for a fixture box.