The Advantages of Recessed Lighting

If you are looking for a quick way to totally change the look of a room, you should consider adding recessed lighting. This kind of lighting can instantly create ambience and can be used in a wide variety of situations. Recessed lighting is easy to install and, depending on the type of bulb you use, can be very cost effective.

Recessed lighting is just about mood and ambiance. It can be very practical as well. You can use it to showcase certain parts of your home, create a focal point in the room or even provide practical work lighting. Highlighting a work of art is a common use of recessed lighting. Paintings, sculptures, even works of art on shelves can be highlighted. Yet even as it creates a focal point, recessed lighting can be subtle. Recessed lighting also tends to make a room feel bigger and more open. Museums know and understand this effect and therefore use lots of recessed lighting.

The great thing about recessed lighting is that its illumination is glare-free. That makes it excellent for work areas like the kitchen. Under-cabinet recessed lighting is unmatched for brightness in a good-looking package. You get plenty of light exactly where you need it, without bulky fixtures getting in the way. After dinner, the lighting can be dimmed to provide elegant night lighting that helps people sneak in for a midnight snack without tripping over something.

The only thing you have to watch out for is putting the fixtures too close together. There is a general rule of thumb: one foot of spacing for every inch of diameter. That means four-inch fixtures should at least four feet apart.

The kind of bulbs you choose will depend on what kind of light you desire. A-type bulbs are good, general purpose lights that don’t cost a lot. R-type bulbs are commonly used and have a reflective surface on the back. Halogen bulbs are the right choice if you need plenty of white light.