When shopping for recessed lighting, consider the following:

When should you choose recessed lighting? Since recessed lighting is installed flush with the ceiling, it’s a great option for providing a large amount of light without obstructing the view of the room. Recessed lighting can also be set on dimmers, which can help create a mood in a space.

Where should you place recessed lighting fixtures? You want to be sure to pay close attention to placement in order to achieve the desired lighting. The general rule is to space them according to how wide they are: leave 4 inches between 4 inch wide fixtures. Center fixtures 12 to 18 inches in front of the objects you wish to accent, and if it’s three dimensional, light it from two or three different angles.

What type of housing do you need to work with? This depends on whether you're starting from scratch or remodeling. Refer to these options to decide what will work for you:
IC/Non-IC Ceiling Insulation: Use IC rated housings if your ceiling is insulated and Non-IC if it's not insulated. If it's a new construction, these will be attached to the ceiling supports before the ceiling is installed. If it's a remodel, they're installed into the existing ceiling.
Air Tight/Energy Efficient: Due to their air tight nature, these housings are energy efficient since they allow little heated or cool air to escape.
UL/CUL Damp Locations: Use these housings in areas that are prone to moisture, such as bathrooms or kitchens.


What type of trim should you consider? The only part of the recessed lighting that is visible, trims come in a variety of styles but need to correspond with the housing. See below to read about the many different types of trim available:
Baffles: These narrow the focus of the downlighting beam, therefore reducing the amount of glare.
Down Lighting/Cone: These trims create a straight shot of light in the shape of a cone.
Decorative: Choose a decorative trim to elevate the aesthetic appeal of your recessed lighting.
Eyeballs and Adjustables: This type of adjustable trim focuses directional lighting for task, accent and wall washing.
Lenses and Diffusers: These diffuse light, working best in closets, bathrooms and covered porches.
Open: These trims are affordable while still being efficient and visually appealing.
Reflectors: By maximizing light output, reflectors are great for general, accent and task lighting.
Wall Washers: The purpose of wall washers is to focus the light on the wall, therefore making the room appear larger.



What type of light bulbs can you use in recessed lighting? Different light bulbs will emit different types of light, so do your research before purchasing. Here are the options:
Standard A bulbs: Providing a warm, incandescent light that is good for general lighting and wall washing effects, standard bulbs are the least expensive choice and require a reflector to boost the light.
“R” bulbs: These common bulbs have a reflective surface on the back of the bulb that creates a warm light in either floor or spot patterns. They are slightly more expensive than the standard bulbs.
Halogen bulbs: Halogen bulbs have a more controlled beam spread and cast a whiter and brighter light than regular “R” bulbs. They can be used with most trim types for general, task or accent lighting.


Should you consider using low voltage or line voltage lamps? Low voltage lamps operate at reduced voltage and work well to accent certain areas through high contrast, bright lighting. They’re ideal for reading or hobbies that require brighter, whiter light, but require a transformer to reduce the household volt current as well as special dimmers. Line voltage lamps work off the household current and can be controlled through ordinary dimmers, and work best for general room lighting applications or secondary room lighting.

Check out our selection of recessed lighting options to help you decide which might work best for you.