What is Recessed Lighting? What Do You Know?

Recessed lighting has become a popular choice for modern interiors, offering a stylish and subtle way to illuminate any space. Unlike traditional ceiling-mounted fixtures, recessed lights are installed directly into the ceiling, providing a clean, unobtrusive look that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.

Want to learn more about recessed lighting? Read our blog to learn about the pros and cons of recessed lighting. We also have expert tips to help you choose the right recessed lighting for your needs.

1. What is Recessed Lighting?
2. Is Recessed Lighting Obsolete?
3. Pros and Cons of Recessed Lighting
4. Types of Recessed Lighting
5. How to Choose Recessed Lighting?
6. Summary
7. FAQ

What is Recessed Lighting?

Recessed lighting is a type of luminaire installed in a ceiling cavity or wall, usually flush with the surface. It provides low-profile, space-saving lighting for spaces, and can be used for both functional and decorative purposes. 

Recessed lights are mainly divided into two types: can light (traditional) and canless light (modern):

• Can light: with an additional metal housing, it is more complicated to install, usually requires professional electricians to operate, and has higher ceiling space requirements. This type of luminaire is mostly used in new buildings because new buildings can be pre-buried with accessories for easy installation.
• Canless light: without additional mounting accessories, the design is slimmer, the installation method is simpler, and the ceiling height requirements are lower. This type of luminaire is very suitable for the renovation of old buildings or areas with limited space and is currently the more mainstream choice.

Is Recessed Lighting Obsolete?

Recessed lighting has been popular during different periods. It was first invented in the 1920s when architects began experimenting with modern designs, moving away from fee-heavy chandeliers and wall sconces. This marked the rise of recessed lighting. While its popularity has fluctuated over time, recessed lighting remains a popular choice due to its high functionality and sleek design.

Recessed lighting can be divided into two main types: can lights (traditional) and canless lights (modern). Can lights come with a metal housing and are considered more dated, often requiring more space for installation. Canless lights, on the other hand, have a slimmer design, are easier to install, and are better suited for modern construction and retrofits.

Regardless of the type, recessed lighting is ideal for illuminating a space without overwhelming the room's design, making it a great choice for spaces with numerous decorative elements like paintings, wall art, or intricate furniture.

Pros and Cons of Recessed Lighting

If you’re considering recessed lighting for your residential or commercial property, it's best to know what its pros and cons might be. Here are some of the pros and cons that we’ve gathered for your better evaluation:

Pros of Recessed Lighting

Customizable features: Many recessed lights have advanced features such as dimming, adjustable beam angles, and color temperature options. These customizable features not only enhance the functionality of recessed lights but also give you the flexibility to create the ideal indoor atmosphere, adding more comfort and practicality to the space.

Uniform Lighting: When installed at equal intervals throughout the room recessed lighting provides even illumination. The uniform lighting makes sure that there are no dark spots in the room. However, spacing them evenly is key. 4-6 ft apart works in most rooms. However, if your room is bigger, they can be installed in a grid-like pattern to create a uniform lighting effect. 

Versatility: Recessed lights are suitable for any room, be it a kitchen, living room, storage room, or outdoor space. They can also be paired with other types of lighting to brighten a room. For instance, if you’re going for layered lighting, recessed lights can be used as ambient lighting to provide overall illumination. They can also be used in rooms with chandeliers. In these rooms, the chandelier is often used as a decorative element in the room and used less often than the recessed lighting on the ceiling. 

Energy Efficiency: Recessed lights with LEDs (such as ComiLED) are about 80% more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent lamps. To provide the same 800 lumens brightness, LED recessed lights only require 8-10 watts, while incandescent lamps require 60 watts. LEDs are more efficient and have a lifespan of up to 25,000-50,000 hours, 25 times that of incandescent lamps, significantly reducing electricity bills and replacement costs, making them more cost-effective.

Cons of Recessed Lighting

Complex Installation: Installing recessed lighting can be complex due to hidden wiring and the need to cut and seal ceiling gaps. Proper spacing and secure installation are crucial to ensure safety and a neat appearance. Can lights, with their metal housing, are best suited for new construction with ample ceiling space, as they allow for easier pre-wiring before the ceiling is finished. Canless lights, on the other hand, are slimmer and ideal for retrofitting in existing buildings, which requires precise cutting and careful wiring. Professional installation is recommended for both scenarios.

Limited Decorative Impact: Compared to pendant lights or chandeliers, recessed lighting doesn’t have any decorative impact on the room. So, if you want lighting that serves as a focal point of the room, recessed lighting is not the choice to go for. Even though recessed lighting now comes with decorative trims, they are still not as impactful as chandeliers or decorative wall sconces. 

Potential Glare: Recessed lights can cause glare for various reasons, including brightness, beam angle, color temperature, reflected light, and the use of light covers. Improper placement, such as installing lights too close together or at incorrect angles, can create overly bright spots that disrupt the room's ambiance and feel uncomfortable. To minimize glare, consider using matte or frosted panels, baffle trims with grooves or textures, and high-quality LED light sources. 

Types of Recessed Lighting

There are quite a number of recessed lighting options available. Here are the most common types of recessed lighting to choose from: 

1. 5CCT Recessed Light

CCT refers to color-changing technology. A 5CCT recessed light will have 5 color options including warm white to daylight color temperatures. The color rendering index (CRI) of these colors also varies. 

These types of recessed lights are ideal for spaces where you want a customizable ambiance or lighting suited for different tasks. For instance, a warmer color might suit the illumination needs during the late afternoon. Bright lights are needed when you’re working in the room and need every area in the room to be properly illuminated. 

2. Recessed Light with Night Light

Night light recessed lights usually provide two modes, day and night, suitable for spaces with different light requirements and have dimming and color temperature (5CCT) functions. The day mode provides bright lighting, while the night mode emits soft light, which is suitable for use at night to avoid glare.

Its dimming function allows you to adjust the light intensity according to your needs, and the 5CCT technology allows you to choose different color temperatures according to the space's needs, from warm yellow light to fresh white light, which can be easily adjusted.

3. Smart Recessed Light

Smart recessed lights are equipped with smart chips to control lighting. They can be controlled by various mobile phone software (such as Tuya, Siri, Alexa, etc.) when there is wifi. Flexible control of dimming, color changing, and scheduling options of lamps can be achieved. These recessed lights are perfect for modern networked homes.

4. Fire-rated Recessed Light

Fire-rated recessed lights are equipped with fire-resistant casings that prevent the spread of fire through ceiling openings. These lights are designed to withstand fire for up to 2 hours, meeting safety codes in residential and commercial buildings.

In addition to their fire-resistant properties, many fire-rated recessed lights also feature dimming and adjustable color temperature functions, allowing users to customize the light intensity and create the desired atmosphere while ensuring safety.

5. Gimbal Recessed Light

These lights feature an adjustable light head that can tilt and rotate. Gimbal lights are perfect for accent lighting. By adjusting the light head, you can highlight specific areas or objects such as artwork, furniture, or architectural features, enhancing the overall look of the room. 

Eyeball recessed light is a type of gimbal light but with a more protruding bulb. The purpose is the same, to direct light towards one direction. 

How to Choose Recessed Lighting?

Because recessed lights are available in so many different types, choosing one can be quite difficult. Here are some tips that can help you choose the right recessed lighting for your needs:

1. Determine Lighting Needs

The first step is to define the purpose of installing recessed lighting. Consider the brightness and light distribution to ensure that it provides sufficient light to meet the space's needs. 

For example, areas like the kitchen, study, or bathroom typically require brighter lighting. For living rooms or bedrooms, which are relaxation areas, softer and warmer light is ideal to create a comfortable atmosphere.

2. Bulb Type

The second factor to consider is the type of bulb needed for recessed lighting. LED fixtures are the most common choice due to their high energy efficiency, long lifespan, and low heat emission. 

When selecting LED lights, consider the color temperature (cool white, warm white, or natural white) and the Color Rendering Index (CRI) to ensure the light suits the intended space.

Halogen lights, although softer in color temperature and brightness, are less energy-efficient and generate more heat, making them increasingly replaced by LEDs.

 3. Brightness (lumens) and Lighting Effects

When choosing recessed lamps, the right brightness is crucial because different spaces require different light intensities. For example, kitchens and study rooms usually require higher brightness (1500 lumens and above) to ensure adequate lighting. Bedrooms and living rooms can choose lower brightness (800-1200 lumens) to create a more comfortable atmosphere. When choosing, make sure that the lumen value of each lamp can meet the lighting needs of a specific space.

In addition, the beam angle also affects the lighting effect. A wide beam angle is suitable for general lighting and provides uniform light coverage; while a narrow beam angle is more suitable for accent lighting or decorative purposes, which can highlight the details of a specific area or object. According to specific needs, choose the appropriate beam angle and brightness to achieve the ideal lighting effect.

4. Trim Style

Recessed lighting comes with a variety of decorative trims, such as baffle trims (to reduce glare), reflector trims (to enhance brightness), and adjustable trims (to direct light as needed). You need to choose the trim style based on your purpose to install the recessed light. 

5. Color Temperature

Different color temperatures can affect the ambiance of a room. For example, warm white light (2700K-3000K) is ideal for bedrooms, living rooms, and other relaxation spaces, while cool white light (4000K-5000K) is better for areas like kitchens and studies that require clear, bright lighting.

6. Spacing

Recessed lighting needs to be spaced evenly. A common rule of thumb is to place recessed lights about 4-6 feet apart. However, this distance can vary depending on ceiling height and the desired level of brightness.

Summary

Recessed lighting is one of the most common lighting fixtures used in both residential and commercial properties. With the types of recessed lighting and the jargon related to this lighting fixture, you are bound to get confused. Our comprehensive guide covers an overview of recessed lighting. This way, you can make the best decision for your lighting needs. 

FAQ

1. How Many Recessed Lights Does a 12x12 Room Need?

For a 12x12 room, you typically need four to six recessed lights, depending on the desired brightness and ceiling height. It is important to space them evenly throughout the room so they look uniform and brighten the room without leaving any dark spots. 

2. Which Is Better, Recessed Lighting With a Can or Recessed Lighting Without a Can?

Recessed lighting with cans provides better safety and protection and is suitable for spaces with moisture or insulation requirements, such as kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Due to the complex installation process, more materials, and labor hours required, the installation of recessed lighting cost is relatively high.

Recessed lighting without cans is simpler to install and is suitable for renovation projects and situations with limited budgets. Since there is no housing, the installation cost is lower and it is suitable for dry spaces without special protection requirements, such as bedrooms and corridors.

Related reading: How to choose LED panel light?