When designing the recessed lighting for your space, approach it as three separate layers: General lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting.
General Lighting
Every room requires general lighting to provide overall light for that space. The objective is to give you full control over the brightness of that space in the day and in the evening.
Looking at the space as a blank canvas can be overwhelming and frustrating, so if you focus on the size of the space, you can determine how many lights are required for this area of your home.
Do not base the number of lights on what is currently there, like the furniture. This will be a “turn-off” to a prospective buyer and will serve you no good if you change the furniture configuration. From this vantage point you can determine your layout. Placement is important for the lights as well as the switch! Walk around your space and determine where is the most convenient place for you to control your lighting.
Task Lighting
If a particular area in the room would benefit from additional overhead lighting, consider adding task lights in addition to the general lighting. Examples would be above the sink or an island in the kitchen, above a desk in a home office or above a reading chair in the corner of a room. Task lights should be controlled by their own switch.
Accent Lighting
The modest design of recessed lighting makes it ideal for accent lighting. If appropriate for the room, choose one or more focal points to highlight with accent lighting an example would be to display a piece of artwork. Accent lights should also be controlled by their own switch.
If you would like our help with design and installation, please give us a call at the office! We would be happy to help you with any custom lighting project for your home.
