There are many reasons to consider recessed lighting for your home, including its sleek appearance, making your space seem more spacious and well-organized. Find out how recessed lighting, like LED retrofits or bulbs, can help give your home a contemporary makeover. Kitchens with recessed lighting are more desirable as they provide excellent illumination and can be used with decorative island lights and under cabinet lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
If you’re thinking of installing light fixtures in your home and need a professional electrician to handle it, we have you! Get in touch with us at Zoom Electricians anytime you need to get our Lighting Installation Services with guaranteed licensed electricians to accommodate you.
Typically, recessed lighting is installed to supplement the ambient light in a room provided by decorative light fixtures and ceiling fans by illuminating work surfaces. For the best possible lighting for your home, consider the following:
- Sketch your recessed lighting design.
Before deciding on recessed kitchen lighting or options for your living room or bedroom, it helps to know where you want your lights to go.
Measure the furniture in the area first, and note the locations near them where you’ll probably spend the most time. Doing this can help determine the areas of the room that require lighting the most.
Once you’ve determined the suitable location, use the blueprint to sketch the recessed lighting in the ceiling. The size and style of recessed lighting, including smart downlights, can be chosen now.
- Decide on a focal point.
Your recessed lighting plan should begin with a location that needs a light directly above it. Place the first recessed light precisely where you want it in the room, then position the other lights around it to direct light in that direction.
Place your first LED light in the room’s center and work your way out if you prefer an even distribution of light throughout the space.
- Apply the general principle of ceiling height.
When deciding how far apart to place recessed lights in a bedroom, kitchen, or living room, the height of the ceiling should be divided in half. Recessed ceiling lighting can be difficult to place, but as a general rule, if a room has 8-foot ceilings, the lights should be spaced about 4 feet apart. Similarly, if the height is 10 feet, leave about 5 feet of clearance between light fixtures.
This guideline should be used as a starting point, though. The number of variables determines how closely or widely the lights are spaced, such as:
- The ambient lighting conditions in the space
- Light bulb brand and wattage
- Definition of Recessed Lighting’s Function (general, task, or accent lighting)
Dimmable recessed lights make using dimmer switches simple. LED downlights and LED bulbs with smart technology allow for additional customization via smartphone or voice command.
- Avoid shadows in the corners.
Pay attention to the distance between recessed lights to avoid harsh shadows in unsightly places. This also has the potential to lower the ceiling visually.
For instance, a pot or can light should be placed at least three feet from a wall to prevent casting unattractive shadows. Reflection from properly placed can make less downlight on a wall and should increase the brightness and sense of space in a room.
Following these simple steps when planning for recessed lighting in your space, you can expect highly functional results with a design flexible enough to bring life to any space.
7-Step Guide To Wiring New Recessed Lights In Your House
Recessed lighting is a great option if you’re looking to illuminate your home with a fixture that won’t be in the way. This low-profile light clings to the ceiling with only a thin trim strip. Recessed lighting, also known as canister lights, can light, or downlights, is common in contemporary homes because it accentuates the geometry of the home’s planes and lines.
DIY recessed lighting installation is simple if you have access to an electrical outlet in the area. Adding a power source takes extra time but can be done by either doing it yourself or hiring an electrician.
1. Cut the Ceiling’s Hole
Draw the hole’s circle using the paper template most light manufacturers provide. Do not forget to protect your eyes. Carefully cut along the line using a jab saw. Use a hole saw attached to the end of a drill to cut multiple holes rather than just a few quickly.
2. Wire the hole in the ceiling.
The supply wire for the recessed light should be roughed in. If you use another recessed light’s wire, open the junction box of that light and attach the new wire. You can feed it down the hole if the wire is connected to its separate circuit.
Installing a recessed light necessitates removing any standard electrical ceiling boxes that are already there.
3. Attach the Wire to the Recessed Light
Use the wire ripper to remove about 4 inches of cable sheathing. Remove the sheathing coating from the wires inside. Connect the wire by pulling it into the junction box of the light. For instance, connect the cable’s black wire to the black wire from the light. Alternatively, some lights might have push-fit connectors that can be distinguished by color.
4. Install the Light in the Ceiling Hole
Push up the ceiling hole with the light. Ideally, the fit will be snug without causing drywall nearby to become damaged. Most recessed lights are attached to the ceiling’s drywall at the top using some clip system.
5. Add the Recessed Light Trim
Install the recessed light’s separate trim if it doesn’t already have one after securing it firmly to the ceiling.
6. Put the Proper Bulb
Install the light bulb according to the recessed light’s instructions. Note that installing a bulb too big or not designed for recessed lighting can cause a fire hazard.
7. Connect the Circuit to the Control Panel.
Access the electric service panel or circuit breaker panel by pulling the electrical cable. Connect the wire to a circuit breaker of the right size (typically 15 amp), then insert the breaker into a corresponding opening on the service panel.
We understand how important it is to install the proper recessed lighting in your home. Getting recessed lighting installed can significantly improve your home’s interior and help set the tone or mood that you want your home’s impression to be. That said, we’ve presented you with what we think can help you get started in getting your home recessed lighting layout figured out and having them installed. It is necessary to follow the right steps and guidelines to ensure that these are installed correctly and safely in your home. We hope you find these tips and guidelines helpful in your recessed lighting installation!
If you want to know more about recessed lighting, you can read our other blogs on our website. Zoom Electricians also offers various electrical services. If you need any assistance, contact us anytime to book.
