3 Things You Need to Know about Recessed Lighting

Are you looking to make an upgrade to your home’s lighting system? Recessed lighting is an incredibly effective way of spreading warmth and light throughout a room. Here are a few things you should know about recessed lights before you begin the planning phase of your project.

image of indoor recessed lighting example

Light Spacing

While there are certain criteria for the proper placement of recessed electrical lighting systems, the distance between each light will make a huge difference when it comes to the ambiance in your room. Say, for example, you plan on spacing your lights about 2 feet apart from each other. This type of layout will create a bright room with even distribution of light throughout. Placing the lights 6-8 feet apart, on the other hand, will create a very soft light.

Basic Light Guidelines

Believe it or not, the height of your ceiling will determine how effective your recessed lights actually are. If you have an 8-foot ceiling, your lights will fully cover an 8-foot wide space. It is also important to note whether or not your ceilings are sloped before you begin. If you are installing recessed lighting in a sloped ceiling, you’ll need to use a special type of trip to ensure your light is not directed at an angle. You’ll still want it to point directly down.

Recessed Lighting in the Kitchen

Kitchens are unique and the planning in those rooms are slightly different. While you’ll want to follow normal spacing guidelines for your eating area, you’ll want to space your lights a bit closer together in the areas over your counters and cooking islands. In these cases, you may want to opt for 2 or 3 feet instead of 4-6 feet. This type of spacing will ensure you have adequate lighting to work with while cooking.

Recessed lights offer homeowners an incredible way of changing the ambiance of any room. Talk to your electrician here about the possibility of making an upgrade in your favorite room. You’ll be surprised at the difference this type of lighting system can make!