How to Install Bathroom Recessed Lights

Installing bathroom recessed lights can be a daunting job. Not only do you have to choose from a huge number of lighting options and placements, but the instillation can be messy and needs some skill. Fortunately, if you are installing your new lights into a drywall, this is a lot simpler than any other wall material. This tutorial shows how to install recessed bathroom lighting into drywall ceiling. 

Step 1 – Cut the Power

Turn off the electricity to the house at the fuse box. Buy a recessed light specially rated for the higher humidity of a bathroom. 

Step 2 – Cut the Fixture Hole/s

Allowing one light for every 25 feet of floor space, measure and mark where your light/s will be installed. Turn off the power at the meter box. Place a tarp on the floor to catch drywall fragments and dust .

Using the stud finder, find the ceiling joists and cut out a hole between two joists with the drywall saw. Be careful of cutting through unexpected wiring above the ceiling.  A drywall circle cutter can make the job easier and neater if you have one. 

Step 3 – Attach the Wires

Insert the electric cable into the fixture’s junction box, fastening it with a cable clamp. Strip the wires and splice them to the fixture wires with the wire connectors. Connect color to color, place the wires back in the box and fasten the cover.

Running the new wires is probably the most difficult task for this job. You can take the power from the original light fixture or from another light source, just splice the new wires onto others in the ceiling. If you are running the cable through a wall you will need to use a piece of wire to fish it through. 

Step 4 – Engage the Housing

Twist the fixture housing into its place in the ceiling until the mounting tabs engage and the fixture is secure and firm. The fixture and junction box is light weight so you don’t need to attach them to a joist. 

Step 5 – Attach the Baffle

When the housing is firmly attached by the clips, attach the inner baffle. Affix any trim to the housing according t the manufacturers instructions. The baffle is attaches with springs. 

Step 6 – Fit the Bulb

Install the bulb. Turn on the power. 

Recessed light have an instillation advantage over other lights as they come in a complete unit that is easy to install. You can purchase the trims separately so you can match the style of light to the bathroom décor.

If you are not comfortable with getting the wiring to your new fixture, employ a licensed electrician for the job. It is not a big undertaking so should not cost too much.