Formula: total sq. footage x 1.5 = total wattage needed. Total wattage divided by 60 watts (or whichever wattage you select) = total amount of recessed can lights. Example: 240 square foot room x 1.5 = 360 divided by 60 (the bulb wattage I’d like to use) = 6 recessed lights needed.
How many recessed lights do I need in a living room?
Whatever new recessed lighting you add should work with your existing fixtures. Measure your room to see how many fixtures you will need. A common rule of thumb is that you use one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space. Doing so provides even, overall illumination.
Should you put recessed lights in living room?
Living Room Lighting
Recessed lighting is a great way to brighten up a living room. Like I mentioned above, you can choose to highlight artwork or a feature wall, or have them installed throughout your living room. Pot lights offer a clean, streamlined look in a home.
Where should I put recessed lighting in my living room?
If you plan to illuminate an entire wall or accent particular architectural features or pieces of art, the rule of thumb is to place your recessed light fixtures between 1.5 feet and 3 feet from the wall. If your fixtures are fixed, they should be placed a bit closer to the wall.
How do I know how many recessed lights to install?
Every manufacturer will provide a maximum spacing criterion for their lights. For example, for a 6-inch light, typically, the number is 1.5, which should be multiplied by the ceiling height. So, if your ceiling is 8 feet tall, multiplied by 1.5, the maximum space between each light should be 12 feet.
How many can lights for a 20×20 room?
If you have a center light fixture, you should be able to use 4 inch line voltage cans or low voltage for supplemental lighting. I would go with at least 8 three inch cans for a 20 foot room.
Can you have too many recessed lights?
It often seems that installing recessed lights is a cure all, but they cannot properly wash light upon walls and all dark corners, which would bounce reflective light into the room. In fact, using too many recessed light may leave areas of your room dark and may even cost you more on your electric bill.
Does recessed lighting add value to a house?
In addition to increased home value, installing recessed lighting has many other benefits. This lighting type is perfect for low-ceiling homes because the fixture is built straight into the ceiling. It can also help open up your space and make the room appear larger.
Are recessed lights out of style?
Recessed lighting will never go out of style. However, the finishes and sizes will vary and change as time goes by.
Should you stagger recessed lights?
The typical rule is to place the lights the same number of feet apart as the bulb’s diameter in inches. So a bulb with a 4-inch diameter should be 4 feet away from the next light.
How many lights do I need for my room?
Multiply your room square footage by the footcandle requirement. For example, a 100-square foot living room, which needs 20 footcandles, will need 2,000 lumens. A 100-square foot dining room, which needs 40 footcandles, will need 4,000 lumens 2 (see PDF and complete footcandle index).
How many feet of LED lights do I need for my room?
To determine the needed lumens, you will need to multiply your room square footage by your room foot-candle requirement. For example, a 100 square foot living room, which needs 10-20 foot-candles, will need 1,000-2,000 lumens. A 100 square foot dining room, which needs 30-40 foot-candles, will need 3,000-4,000 lumens.
What size recessed light for 8ft ceiling?
4″
In an 8′ ceiling, a 4″ fixture can work well to provide kitchen countertop lighting. A 6″ downlight at that height will illuminate your breakfast table nicely. In a 10′ ceiling, you might want 4″ fixtures for area lighting, since the light will spread out more. A 7″ fixture makes a nice wall washer in an 8′ ceiling.
What is the difference between can lights and recessed lights?
Recessed lights, also known as can lights, are described as metal light housings installed in the ceiling for a sleek look that gives you back your ceiling. Their diameter generally varies from 3” to 6.”
How far apart should 6 inch recessed lights be?
Generally speaking, recessed lights that are four inches in size should be placed four feet apart. Six-inch lights should be placed six feet apart. In other words, the diameter of the lights equals the space between them.
How many LED ceiling lights do I need?
A common rule of thumb is one recessed light for every 4 to 6 feet of ceiling space. Typically, fixtures should be placed 24 inches from a wall or cabinet with 2 to 5 feet of space between them.
What size recessed lights do I need?
Choose one that will accommodate the height of your ceiling or the size of your wall. 4-inch and 5-inch fixtures are great in kitchens for providing overhead countertop lighting. 6-inch fixtures are most common for general lighting purposes. 7- to 9-inch fixtures will create a wider wash of light.
Are 6 recessed lights too big?
Myth #3: You should always use the same size throughout your home. Fact: Style should be consistent, but consider size and type on a functional basis. It is perfectly acceptable to mix 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lights in the same room.
