4 Different Ways to Recess Lights

There are many ways to recess lights for decorative effect. How and where you install your recessed lights will depend on the type of lights you are going to use, as well as the effect you are aiming for. Recessed lights are an attractive lighting option that can change the mood of any room.

Indirect Recessed Lights

These lights are hidden and the fittings are flat with the wall or ceiling. These are great for subtle lighting and where light fittings that stand out from the wall are an annoyance because there is not enough room. You can change the ambiance of a room with colored covers and different strengths of the light. Because the fitting covers are opaque, you will not be able to directly see the bulb, so this option is great for walls.

Indirect lights add an air of elegance to formal and dining rooms, and can add interest to other rooms by highlighting but not overpowering the focal points in an area.

Places where these indirect lights look their best are hallways, stairs and closets. Uses these lights to light up walk-in pantries and closets where you do not want direct light to cause shadows and disrupt the way you see the contents.

These lights are also useful when places behind seating areas to bring an easy light to read by, and in bathrooms where shadow creating lights are not wanted. 

Floors and Stairs

Recessed lighting in floors are a great way to light walkways and decking. It adds a subtle light that allows a person to see where they are going without it shining in their eyes and creating distracting shadows. Many of the recessed lighting for this purpose is low voltage lighting so the lights can be left on all night with no real effect on your power bill. 

Outdoor Path Lighting

Recessed lighting can be placed into paths and stairs to provide safe passage as well as great effects. You can allow for safe walking without bright lights shining into the eyes.

Strong halogen recessed floor lights can be used to shine up onto wall features and even plants in the garden. This is used to great effect in public squares and other public areas, but can also be used in private houses. 

Feature Lighting

Use directional recessed lights, like pinhole and slit trims, to throw light onto, and highlight wall art or other features in a room.  

Trims

Trims and light fittings can be installed for various effects. Some fittings allow you to angle your lights so they shine onto features that you want highlighted, others are decorative and add color and interest to a ceiling.

Various trims can be installed with your recessed lights to make effects that help to highlight what you are trying to achieve with your light effects. These trims can allow directional lighting to focus the eyes on certain points and features, or diffuse the light so it does not cause shadows.