Best Practices in Recessed Lighting
Lighting is frequently an afterthought when a house is remodeled. This is a wrong way to refresh a home as the home environment is significantly influenced by lighting. It can be intangible, but it is important.
Light and dark surface lighting
Darker surfaces require greater amounts of light compared to paler ones. Before you begin to design your preferred lighting layout, you should ask yourself three fundamental queries: the amount of light required, the objects to be illuminated, and the quality of light.
Wood is best illuminated by warm toned lighting. These include bookcases and cabinets. Cooler lights are best for glass or crystal surfaces. The standard layout suggestion is positioning the cans two to four feet distant from outside walls. The cans can be divided evenly all around the room while leaving a minimum of two feet in between any two lighting fixtures.
Basic design suggestions say that recessed lighting in kitchens should place it over aisles. The problem with this layout is that the cook will be forced to work in shadows. Experts thus recommend that the ceiling cans should be positioned 24 inches to 26 inches away from the wall. The aim is that the center of the light beam should be at the counter's edge. It should not be at the back of the cook.
Spaced out lighting
As per size recommendations, four-inch lamps are to be positioned four feet apart and the six-inch lamps six feet apart. Do note that these are simply general guidelines. Any customized layout will have a blend of lamp sizes.
Rooms should be illuminated in multiple layers. This will avoid uninteresting and flat lighting. It is much better to over-illuminate a space and then install dimming switches according to zone compared to under-illuminate that area. There are many benefits to dimmers: they reduce energy use, reduce the output of heat, and increase the bulb life. They also provide each home owner individual control of the lights.
Accent lighting or smaller task lighting utilizing two-inch lamps or three-inch lamps could work in partnership with thoughtfully positioned general recessed lighting. Using smaller accent and task cans with four inches to six-inch perimeter lighting results in interest and contrast in the room. The gimbal lights provide an excellent choice for many accent lighting needs. The best illumination can be had by placing the gimbal above the place where the user intends to work.