How Far Should Recessed Lights Be From Cabinets

How Far Should Recessed Lights Be From Cabinets
  • Author: Amanda Arnold
  • Posted On: September 14, 2021
  • Updated On: August 21, 2023

Recessed lighting is usually a good option when designing your lighting in a new location to guarantee that your space gets enough light. Kitchens, for example, necessitate more illumination than other sections of the house.

The majority of kitchens have dull lights. Lighting is sometimes an afterthought, and even when it is meticulously planned, designers and lighting professionals frequently disagree on which lamps perform best in specific fixtures and where they should be placed.

You have to look at elements like the number of fixtures and the type of lamps used in the following sections, but you should be especially interested in the size and location of recessed can light for kitchen lighting best practices.

Kitchens require a lot of light for your work environment, and it’s OK to have additional lighting in this area. Make sure to place the lights appropriately. So, there are no dark areas in your kitchen. We’ve put up a guide to assist you in figuring out where your recessed lighting should go in your home.

How Much Light Needed For Kitchen?

The most popular diameters for residential recessed light fixtures are four-inch and seven inches When answering this question, consider how far the ceiling is from where you want the light and how large the area you want to light. A 4′′ fixture can offer adequate kitchen countertop lighting in an 8-inch ceiling. Now, the decision is yours.

The circuit breaker’s rating that regulates the circuit is the critical limiting factor in the number of recessed fixtures you can run at the same time. Wall wash downlights should be spaced apart at the same distance from the wall as they are mounted. Install recessed lights 2 to 3 feet from the wall and 2 to 3 feet apart for ceilings up to 9 feet high.

Divide the height of the ceiling by two to estimate how far apart your recessed lights should space. If a room has an 8-foot ceiling, recessed lights should locate about 4 feet apart. If your ceiling is 10 feet high, you should leave around 5 feet between each light fixture.

What Is The Ideal Location For Placing Recessed Lights?

The optimum location for task lighting in the kitchen is immediately above the countertop, about 20-inches away from the wall. This placement places the beam directly above the work surface and prevents the cook’s body from blocking the light while standing at the counter working. It also directs light into open drawers.

Don’t be concerned if the recessed lighting isn’t completely symmetrical on the ceiling. Ceiling joists can sometimes make it challenging to place recessed lights exactly where you want them. The majority of people never pay attention to where the recessed cans on the ceiling locate.

Utilizing too many recessed lights might make your room dark and increase your electric bill. Based on the size of the room and the technical elements of the light fixtures in question, a professional can assist you in determining the correct number of lights.

How To Place Recessed Lights In Living Area?

4-inch fittings should be spaced at least 4 feet apart, and 6-inch fixtures roughly 6 feet apart. Recessed lighting fixtures should be placed about 12 to 18 inches in front of the objects you want to light, such as a picture, bookcase, or drapery panels.

You’ll need to multiply your room square footage by your room foot-candle requirement to determine how many lumens you’ll need.

Why Do You Prefer Recessed Lights Over Incandescent Bulbs?

In general, incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs are used in ceiling lights. Recessed lights are excellent for low ceilings, especially kitchens because they do not protrude from the ceiling. In a room with low ceilings, hanging fixtures can make the space appear even smaller.

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Author: Amanda Arnold

Amanda has been working with ConstructionHow since 2021. Her experience spans over 5 years in the creative niche such as home decor and trends, landscaping, renovations, and custom architectural values. As a home designer expert, she has a keen eye for the latest home improvement trends with accurate facts that readers find impossible to ignore. Being invested in home-building trends is how she has gained her lucrative expertise exploring more to bring a positive ambiance for all homeowners (and even tenants!). Currently, she lives in a beautiful beach home, a source of fascination for her.

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