The Complete Guide to Placing Recessed Lights for Any Room Size
Installing recessed lighting can make a dramatic difference in any home. Properly placed recessed fixtures brighten up living spaces, provide directed task lighting, and create accent lighting to highlight architectural details. But determining the optimal layout for recessed lights in any room size and shape can be a challenge.
This comprehensive guide provides expert tips for designing the perfect recessed lighting plan tailored to your unique space. Learn the lighting design fundamentals for proper placement and spacing. Discover how ceiling height, room size, and layout impact recommended distances and positioning. With the strategies outlined here, you'll be able to create a flawless lighting scheme with recessed lights to meet any lighting goal.
Determine Your Lighting Needs and Goals
Recessed lighting serves three primary purposes: ambient lighting that provides overall illumination, accent lighting to highlight specific areas or features, and task lighting for focused activities like reading or cooking. Before deciding on placement, determine what you want the recessed fixtures to accomplish in the space.
For living rooms and bedrooms, the priority is likely ambient lighting. Kitchens and offices usually require ample task lighting. Accent lighting is perfect for drawing attention to artwork, architectural elements, shelves, and displays throughout the home. Establish the main goal first, then layer in the other lighting types for a comprehensive plan.
Calculate the Total Number of Recessed Lights Needed
The size and layout of the space will inform how many recessed lights you'll need. As a general rule, ambient lighting requires about 50 lumens per square foot. Task lighting needs 100 lumens per square foot. Use online recessed lighting calculators to determine how many lights that translates to for the room's dimensions.
Space the lights evenly based on a few standard guidelines:
- For an 8' ceiling, space recessed lights 2' to 4' apart
- For a 10' ceiling, space lights 4' to 6' apart
- For 12' ceilings, space lights 6' to 8' apart
Multiplying the room's length and width and dividing by the spacing guidelines gives a rough estimate of quantity needed. Combine ambient fills with task and accent lights for the full layout.
Recessed Lighting Placement for Rooms with Standard 8ft Ceilings
Most homes have standard 8 foot ceiling heights. Here are the ideal placement guidelines for recessed lighting in rooms with 8ft ceilings:
Ambient Lighting
For ambient fills, calculate the space between each light then position the fixtures half that distance from adjacent walls. This spacing ensures the soft overall lighting is evenly distributed. The lights essentially create a grid across the ceiling.
Accent Lighting
Strategically place accent lights 1.5 to 3 feet from the wall to graze architectural details and highlight artwork or shelves. Angle the fixture to focus the beam and avoid glare.
Task Lighting
Reading nooks, desks, and kitchen counters need task lighting centered above the work area, regardless of distance from walls. Use recessed lighting to supplement pendant lights or sconces.
Vaulted ceilings over 10 feet require adjustments to the recessed lighting layout. Here are tips to place them correctly:
Extend the distance between the wall and lights to 10-12 feet so the beam reaches the floor effectively. High ceilings also allow you to space the lights themselves farther apart for even coverage. Just take care that the distance isn't excessive or there will be dim spots between fixtures.