Two lights are better, but if you use thee pendants, then position the two stools should be in the middle of the center and end lights.Although they will look very huge. Pictures would help.

400mm sounds good! Did you go for a smaller pendant?

My partner and I are designing our new build and we are now up to lighting, in particular kitchen lighting. We are having non-exposed scissor trusses in the living area with a lowered flat ceiling (2.4m stud) over the kitchen. Do we need pendant lighting? I am torn. I feel they are dust and grease gatherers, but also a great visual feature. I have attached a picture of our plan and inspiration for the living area. I am extremely grateful for any advice!

Changing out my pendant lights dramatically changed my kitchen for the better. The slim modern horizontal shapes made the room feel wider and the colour changed the colour of the wood grain finish of the cabinets.