Recessed lighting placement plays an important
role to get an effective recessed lighting design. To correctly place recessed
lights you should follow the recessed lighting spacing formula which simply says the space
between can lights and the wall should be half the calculated distance between
can lights. Let’s go to calculate the placement for general, task, accent
lighting layers and tell you some useful
tips for wall wash lighting. Recessed lighting placement calculations done after calculating
how many recessed lights in the area or surface need, decide on a recessed lighting layout to know the number of recessed lights in each row of lights.
Recessed Lighting Placement Calculations for General Lighting
Below are simple steps to calculate recessed
lighting placement locations for a room or space for general lighting purpose.
- First, determine the length of the room or area.
- Determine the number of lights in the row covering that length, you get the distance between the recessed lights.
- Divide the distance between the recessed lights by 2, you get the distance between the wall and the first and last recessed light in that row.
- Now repeat the same steps for the width of the room to get the placement of the can lights in the width rows.
Recommended: recessed lighting placement examples
Recessed Lighting Placement Calculations for Task Lighting
The Recessed lighting placement for task lighting
aims to light task areas or surfaces such as counter tops, kitchen workspaces, and reading areas.
- Recessed lighting placement calculations are the same as general lighting calculations for the area of the surface required to be illuminated.
- If the task area or surface beside the wall, the distance between the wall and recessed lights should be ¼ the distance between the ceiling and the surface to eliminate harsh lighting.
Recessed Lighting Placement Calculations for Accent Lighting
Using adjustable trim recessed lights are a good
choice for accent lighting when you need to attract attention to an object such
as picture, flowers or artwork. To place recessed lights for accent lighting purpose follow the below steps.
- Measure the distance from the ceiling to the object and multiply by 0.6, you get the distance from the light to the wall.
- If adjustable trims used they may be directed 30 degrees to minimize glare. In the case of using more than one recessed light, the can lights should be evenly spaced to improve the visual appearance.
Recessed Lighting Placement Calculations for Wall Wash Lighting
Recessed lighting can be used to wash a wall
with light. Recessed lighting placement would be placed from 1 to 2 feet away from the wall if fixed
trim recessed lights used, if adjustable trims used the distance may increase
to 3 feet away from the wall.
