The installation of recessed lighting can really brighten your living room. This kind of ceiling lighting comes with a unique look that tends to fit any space in a home. Let’s take a look at some of the best places to put this lighting in your living room.
What Is Recessed Lighting?
Recessed lighting is a type of lighting that will be directly installed inside a wall, ceiling, or other surface in a home. Recessed fixtures are made of three main components, including housing, trim, and bulb. Housing is the majority of this fixture, typically hidden within a wall or ceiling. Its purpose is to contain the fixture’s electrical connections.
Trim, meanwhile, refers to the visible portion of the lighting, which can also include such things as shades or reflectors. The bulb ultimately produces the light coming from the fixture.
Recessed Lighting Design Considerations
Homeowners will be able to install these lights from the finished side of either a ceiling or wall. The material within your wall will also play a role in choosing the appropriate fixture. You must use an IC-rated recessed lighting in the event there is insulation present within the wall.
Once you have chosen the best fixture for your home, you will be able to customize the lighting, if desired. A lot of recessed lighting designs can be unobtrusive, but trims can come in a wide range of finishes with a plethora of style options.
The majority of recessed lighting has a single bulb with either square or round trims. Fixtures with more than one bulb usually have rectangular trims and are the best choice for lighting larger fixtures, such as a bookcase.
Here are a few trim options and how they impact the type of light produced in the home:
- Reflectors can maximize the amount of light produced, directing it downward.
- Baffle trims will reduce glare and offer a subtle setting indoors.
- Eyeball or adjustable trims can help change the direction of the lighting.
- Lensed trims come with solid covers, protecting the bulbs and wiring.
- Wall wash trims can direct the lighting to the sides.
Best Places For Recessed Lighting In A Living Room
Many homeowners will wonder exactly where they should place recessed lighting inside a living room. Let’s look at a few tips regarding both placement and customization when it comes to these lights.
Between Lights
One of the first steps before installation is deciding how many recessed lights you need and how they should be divided on the ceiling. Keeping consistent spacing between lights in order to create lines is a common choice among homeowners.
A good rule of thumb is to divide the ceiling’s height in half, and that number should give you ample spacing between each of the lights. Spacing is always important when it comes to lighting. Lights that are too close to walls, for example, could create scalloping or even shadows.
Surrounding Other Lights
It’s wise to not rely on recessed lighting as the only illumination in a living room. Sometimes, this area can feel cold and unwelcoming when relying solely on these lights.
Choose from modern recessed lighting that’s layered with other light forms. This can include wall or floor lamps, for example. Combining lighting types can offer a softer, more inviting indoor setting.
Go Custom
It’s no secret by now that there are several different types and styles of recessed lighting. Both sizing and trim color can be customized to match every homeowner’s desires.
Your lighting’s look and feel can be topped off with an array of bulbs. Modern LED bulbs can even be adjusted for color temperature these days.
Conclusion
Oftentimes, LED’s are seen as the best option for recessed lighting fixtures. Recessed lighting is undoubtedly a great way to add different styles of illumination inside your home. To learn more, contact the experienced professionals at Shield’s Electric today!
SHIELD’S ELECTRIC IN TEMPE, ARIZONA
Family owned and operated since 1957, Shields Electric, Inc. is one of Arizona’s most experienced electrical contractors. Our commercial, residential and institutional clients benefit from our decades of experience in a wide range of market segments and project types throughout the state of Arizona. Contact us today for a free quote!









