Where to Place Recessed Lighting Fixtures

Avoid recessed lighting fixtures placed too close together or in rows down the center of the room. This type of installation can have the look of an airport runway.

Match the size of your recessed lighting fixtures to how close together they can be installed. The common rule is that 4-inch fixtures should generally be placed at least 4 feet apart and 6 about 6 feet apart. Center recessed lighting fixtures in front of the objects you wish to light a painting, bookshelf, or drapery panels, for example and about 12 to 18 inches in front of that object. Recessed lights used for reading or task lighting should be carefully placed overhead so your head and shoulders will not block needed light. When lighting a three-dimensional object such as a fireplace, sculpture, or flower arrangement with recessed lighting, it is more effective to light it from two or three different angles.

Use wall-washing recessed lighting fixtures around the perimeter of a small room to help push the walls out and make the space feel larger, or aim them at a collection of artwork or ph attention to the display. Install recessed lighting fixtures in the bottom of your kitchen cabinets. The light will wash your counter top with focused light.

Recessed lighting offers a clean, streamlined look in a home. It can increase the amount of light in a room, highlight artwork or other special features, and open up spaces so they look an

When to Use Recessed Lighting

Though recessed fixtures are most easily installed between ceiling joists of new building or major remodeling projects, some recessed fixtures are designed specifically for retrofit applicat into an existing ceiling space through holes made to accommodate wiring; however, the fixtures you choose must be rated for use near insulation (IC housing rated) whenever ceiling insulation is prese is uninsulated, a non-IC housing may be used.