Recessed lighting is the single most requested lighting upgrade we install. Done well it makes rooms feel larger and cleaner; done poorly it looks like an airport runway. Here is how we plan a recessed lighting installation.
Canless LED vs traditional housings
Canless wafer lights are slim, rated for insulation contact, and install through a single hole with no housing in the attic. They are our default for retrofits. Traditional housings still make sense in new construction or when you want adjustable gimbal trims.
Spacing
A useful rule: divide ceiling height by two to get the spacing between fixtures. In an 8 foot room that is roughly 4 feet apart. Kitchens and task areas go tighter; living rooms looser, often supplemented by lamps.
Brightness and color
Look for 600 to 900 lumens per fixture in living spaces. Choose 2700K for a warm, residential feel, 3000K for kitchens and baths, and avoid anything above 4000K in a home. Buy fixtures with a high CRI (90+) so colors look right.
Dimming and control
Always put recessed lights on a dimmer. If you are adding smart switches, plan the neutral wire at the switch box now.
Insulated and vaulted ceilings
IC-rated fixtures are required where insulation touches the fixture. Vaulted ceilings need sloped-ceiling trims or gimbals so the light points down rather than sideways.
Layered lighting
Recessed lights provide ambient light. Add under-cabinet lights in kitchens, a pendant over the island and sconces or lamps for warmth. We can wire all of it in one visit.
See lighting installation in Bellevue, Spokane or your city.