When installing recessed lighting, it is important to place the fixtures away from any cabinets or shelves. You should place recessed lights at least 12-18 inches away from the cabinet or shelf to avoid it inhibiting the light or causing glare.
If your ceiling is low, you should consider installing a shallow or ultra-thin recessed light, which will provide ample light without the risk of them being too close to any cabinets or shelving. Additionally, highly reflective surfaces like white glossy cabinetry can cause glare if placed too close to your recessed lighting, so it’s best to give them some distance.
Where should you not put recessed lights?
Recessed lights should generally be avoided in locations where there is a risk of moisture, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, and near laundry sinks. Recessed lighting fixtures should also not be placed directly near walls or furniture, as the heat given off from the lights can be dangerous.
If placed too close to walls or furniture, this can cause potential fire hazards and damage the walls or furniture. Recessed lights should also not be placed too close together as this can create a blinding effect.
Usually, a minimum distance of around two feet should be maintained between two recessed lighting fixtures. Additionally, they should not be placed outside as they are not waterproof and can become damaged by rain and other elements.
What is the code for recessed lighting?
The most common code for recessed lighting is NEC 410. 53. NEC 410. 53 is a United States National Electrical Code (NEC) requirement that states that all wiring of recessed lighting must be contained within a nonmetallic junction box.
This code is applicable in all areas of the country where the NEC is adopted, including California and other states. The NEC 410. 53 code is designed to protect the safety of homeowners by ensuring that all wiring of recessed lighting is securely contained.
It also ensures that wiring is properly contained to avoid the potential risk of fire from a live wire coming into contact with combustible material, as well as preventing potential electric shock.
How many recessed lights for 12×12 kitchen?
The exact number of recessed lights you will need for a 12×12 kitchen will depend on several factors, including the size and shape of the room, the level of lighting desired, and the type of fixtures you are installing.
Generally speaking, you will likely need between four and six recessed lights for a kitchen this size. Moreover, be sure to place the recessed lights appropriately placing downlights over countertops and up in corners, and task lighting closer to the workspace.
It is important to also ensure that the recessed lights are installed by a knowledgeable electrician and that all necessary safety procedures are followed.
How many 6-inch LED recessed lights do I need?
The number of 6-inch LED recessed lights you need depends on the size of your room, the height of your ceilings, and your overall lighting design. Generally, it’s best to plan for one recessed light for every 4-6 square feet.
So for a 10 ft. x 10 ft. (100 sq. ft. ) room, you should plan for 16-21 recessed lights. However, this number can vary to accommodate taller ceilings or other specific design elements. The best way to determine the exact number of lights you need is to create a layout plan with the correct measurements.
This layout plan should include each necessary light marked with its distance from a wall or another object. Once you have determined your design layout, you can easily add up the number of lights you need.
What size recessed lights should I use in my kitchen?
The size of light fixture you should use for your kitchen will depend on a few different factors. First, think about the size of the room and the wattage requirement for the bulbs you choose. Generally, for a medium-sized kitchen, a 6-inch recessed light is sufficient.
For a larger kitchen, you may want to consider 8-inch or even 10-inch recessed lights. Secondly, consider the placement of the lights and the look you are trying to achieve. If you want a more collectibe look, you can opt for smaller recessed lights, but if you are looking for brighter illumination, larger recessed lights should do the trick.
Many people also opt for a combination of both in their kitchen to create the right balance of light. Lastly, check the wattage requirement of the bulbs you choose. Generally, smaller recessed lights will require a lower wattage bulb, while larger fixtures will require higher wattage bulbs.
When selecting a bulb, you should also think about the colour temperature of the light, as this will affect the look and feel of the kitchen.
How do you coordinate lights in a kitchen?
Coordinating lights in a kitchen can be a challenging but rewarding task. It is important to consider the overall lighting plan and design when selecting lights and fixtures. Layering lighting helps create the ambiance and functionality desired in a kitchen.
It is also important to consider a room’s size, shape, and amount of natural light when planning a kitchen lighting scheme.
Task lighting is important for providing direct, task-specific light for activities like food prep and cooking. Consider the placement of cans and lights around the kitchen sink and island, as well as near cooktops and cutting boards.
These should be bright and focused light sources.
Accent lighting is another key element to consider when coordinating lights in a kitchen. This is used to highlight artwork and architectural features of the kitchen such as cabinets or shelves and can even be used to enhance the space with low-level lighting.
Slotted cans, adjustable track lighting, and smaller recessed lighting are all good options for accent lighting in the kitchen.
Since kitchens are often one of the primary places of gathering and entertaining in the home, adding layers of ambient lighting helps create the desired atmosphere for the room. Consider adding lights under the counter, in a decorative light fixture in the dining area, or using dimmers to adjust brightness levels.
When selecting kitchen lighting fixtures, it is important to consider the style and theme of the room. There are a multitude of manufacturers who provide an array of products for different lighting needs.
From industrial styles to more contemporary designs, selecting fixtures that complement the kitchen’s décor is an important task.
By carefully coordinating lights in a kitchen, the desired atmosphere, ambiance, and functionality of the room can be readily achieved.
Can you have too many recessed lights?
Yes, it is possible to have too many recessed lights in a room. When there are too many recessed lights, the space can become too thoughtfully lit and cluttered. If a room has too many recessed lights it can overwhelm the occupants, making it feel cluttered and visually busy.
It can also make the room feel smaller than it actually is. It is best to have enough recessed lighting in a room to illuminate the space with ample lighting, but not so many that it diminishes the size or impacts the atmosphere.
The best way to determine the exact number of recessed lights to have in a room is to talk to a professional electrician or interior designer, who can assess the size and layout of the space and provide guidance on the ideal setup.
How deep should the bulb be in a recessed light?
When installing a recessed light, the bulb should be installed 1/8th of an inch above the canister. The canister should be inserted into the ceiling and the bulb should be recessed so that it is level with the ceiling surface.
The depth of the bulb should be approximately two-thirds the depth of the canister so that it does not protrude from the ceiling. This will ensure the bulb does not protrude from the ceiling, which could create a safety hazard.
It is important that the bulb is not inserted too deeply, as this could lead to the bulb not being able to properly cool off, which can damage the bulb and create a fire hazard. Additionally, the bulb should be far enough back so that it does not touch the insulation in the ceiling or the bulb socket.
Do recessed lights make room look bigger?
Recessed lighting can help make a space feel bigger and more open by optimizing existing natural light and providing task lighting. Recessed lighting can help a room look bigger in a few ways. First, installing recessed lighting reduces clutter because it is hidden in the ceiling, allowing more space to be visible to the eye.
Recessed lighting also maximizes existing natural light by reflecting it off the walls and evenly distributing it in the room. This helps draw focus to the floor and walls, subtly making the room appear bigger.
Additionally, with recessed lighting, you have more control over the type of task lighting you use in your space, and you can better customize the lighting to suit the size of the room. Task lighting helps to create the illusion of the room being bigger by providing focused lighting that can reduce shadows and create the perception of open space.
Will recessed lighting go out of style?
No, recessed lighting will not go out of style. In fact, it is a popular option for many home designs, due to its versatility and ability to blend in with a variety of decor styles. When integrated correctly, recessed lighting can provide additional light in any room and help create an inviting atmosphere.
The design of recessed lighting has evolved to meet modern trends, with a range of options that can be used to add subtle illumination or to create dramatic effects. As the popularity of contemporary lighting fixtures continues to rise, recessed lighting will remain a sought-after choice for homeowners.
What is the lighting for under kitchen cabinets?
The lighting for under kitchen cabinets is typically accent lighting. Generally, this type of lighting is used to add subtle illumination in a particular space, and it is often used in the form of linear strips.
It’s best to have a type of lighting that is dimmable, giving you the ability to adjust the intensity of the illumination and create the perfect atmosphere for your kitchen. LEDs are the most common type of lighting used for under kitchen cabinets, since they tend to be energy efficient and have a long life.
They come in a variety of colors and temperatures to suit any look. Furthermore, a few options exist in terms of mounting the lights. They can be surface-mounted directly onto the bottom of the cabinets or are available with a slim profile, so they can be recessed into the cavities of the cabinets.
There are also a few options in terms of how the lights are powered. Most typically, an electrical outlet is needed to plug in a transformer powering the lights, while a few other options, including batteries, are available.
With the right lighting design, the lights will give your cabinets a warm, inviting look and make them the centerpiece of your kitchen.
How long do under cabinet LED lights last?
LED lighting typically lasts much longer than traditional forms of lighting such as halogen, incandescent and fluorescent because it’s more efficient and doesn’t get as hot. LED lights don’t burn out like traditional sources, instead they tend to dim over time.
Depending on how long you are running the LED lights, they may last anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 hours. LED under cabinet lights are often rated and advertised in this way, as they can be programmed to dim over time to extend their life and reduce energy consumption.
While it may seem like a long time, it’s important to factor in how often the lights are being used — in a kitchen setting, they may be used several times a day for multiple hours, so the expected lifespan may be lower than stated.
It’s also important to make sure that the lights are the proper temperature and do not overheat, as this can reduce the lifespan of the lights.
What type of light fixture that is mounted underneath kitchen cabinets This type of lighting is extremely popular as task lighting in a kitchen?
Under cabinet lighting is a great way to accentuate a kitchen space and provide necessary task lighting. This type of light fixture is typically mounted underneath kitchen cabinets, and is very popular due to its ability to help illuminate countertops and workspace without providing a bright overhead light.
This type of lighting typically comes in fluorescent and LED options, and can be installed in a variety of ways. LED strip lights are the most popular option for under cabinet lighting as they are energy efficient and discreet.
They also come in a variety of colors and finishes, and can be used with dimmer switches, allowing you to easily control the amount of light being emitted. Fluorescent fixtures are also popular, but tend to have a warm, yellow color and are slightly more bulky than LED lights.
When installing under cabinet lighting, make sure to use the proper wiring, and carefully measure and mark where each fixture will be placed along the length of the cabinet. Additionally, make sure there is enough power to handle the lighting load.
Properly installed, this type of light fixture can provide adequate task lighting in a kitchen, and will help to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.