How to Create Different Effects with Recessed Light Covers

There are many circumstances in which you will want to alter the color of the light being given off by your recessed lights, and  recessed light covers are an excellent way to accomplish this affect. This is also a significantly cheaper option than changing light colors using other methods such as buying colored light bulbs. 

Step 1: Deciding Between Bulbs or Covers

Once you have made the decision to spice up your room with colored lighting, you will need to make a decision as to how you will accomplish this coloration.  Your main options will be to install light bulbs of different colors, or to cover your recessed lights with colored filters to alter the color of light emitted.  Both of these are viable options, but there are several advantages to installing colored recessed light covers.

While it is possible to buy colored light bulbs for almost any type of recessed lights (LEDs, halogen, fluorescent or incandescent), they are often expensive to buy and a pain to maintain.  If you are in a situation where you will want to change colors frequently, buying colored bulbs will require changing bulbs every time you want to switch colors.  This process will be much easier with colored light covers, which are made to snap in and out of place easily.  With colored recessed light covers, you have the freedom to use whatever light bulbs you would normally use in your lights and alter the colors at a moment’s notice for parties or other occasions where colored light is appropriate. 

Step 2: Picking Your Colors

The most common use for colored lighting is to decorate for parties or similar occasions.  If you are throwing a Halloween party, for instance, orange or red lighting may be appropriate and will set the mood for your spooky gathering.  At Easter, you may want to change the color of your ambient lighting to incorporate light colors, such as pastels, to your room.  Christmas, of course, would necessitate red and green lighting, while a festive Independence Day gathering might benefit from red, white and blue accent lighting.  If you are throwing a party for more of an adult crowd, black light covers will allow you to mimic the atmosphere of a dance club in your own home.

Step 3: Outdoor Colored Lights

For some individuals, colored recessed lights may be attractive for more permanent use than just for the occasional party.  In particular, colored recessed lights may be used to throw different hues or patinas on the exterior of a home in order to make your house stand out from your neighbors.  Blue or yellow lighting is a popular choice for external recessed light accents for illuminating shutters or doorways. 

Step 4: Indoor Accent Lighting

Finally, indoor colored lighting may be appropriate year-round in cases where recessed lights are installed under shelves or cabinets for accent lighting.  In these cases, certain colors may be desired in order to accent features below these cabinets, or simply to give your rooms a more interesting look and feel.  Blue, green or red lights are always great ideas for increasing the aesthetic qualities of any accent piece.