Recessed Lighting

Recessed Lighting

Recessed Lighting

May 7, 2024

Recessed lighting, also known as cans or can lighting, is essential to any well-lit space. It can be used to provide ambient and task lighting, to highlight architectural features or to accent art. While they aren't the most decorative style of lighting, they do a lot of the heavy lifting when it comes to illuminating a space. 

Recessed lights are installed within the ceiling rather than on the ceiling or wall's surface. The two major components are the housing (the space where the bulb goes) and the trim (the finished edge that sits on the ceiling). The type of housing will depend on your ceiling material and insulation. Trim is completely up to you and can be chosen to match your decor. 

You can choose to have your cans beam up or down. Downlights will beam the lights straight down, while eyeball-style fixtures can be pivoted in their housing so you can customize where you want the light to shine. 

Recessed lighting is a great option for almost any space. You may not want to use it if you have a ceiling decorated with plasterwork or decorative coffers, etc. Recessed lighting may detract from the beauty of these features. 

How many you will need depends on several factors - what other lighting do you have in the room in question, what areas do you want to highlight with additional light, what is the wattage of the bulb you will be using? The size and spacing depends upon your space and the effect you want. A general rule of thumb is to place 4 inch lights 4 feet apart and 6 inch lights 6 feet apart. 

Cost for recessed lighting varies depending on your space and the style of fixtures you choose. You can plan on roughly $150-$200 per fixture for a basic model, including materials and installation. Cost will go up from there if you are looking at more high-end options. Also, if you are buying a new home, think of your lighting plan before the build, as it will be a lot more expensive to add these in after the home is built. 


A consultation with Deaver Electric is a great starting place if you are looking to plan out your recessed lighting. Our highly skilled electricians can provide you with several options and layouts to accommodate your needs.