Recessed Lighting - Layout & Design

Alrighty! So I'm thinking of installing some recessed lighting in my living room (diagram above). The room is technically 15.5 x 13.5, though I think it's reasonable to say 15.5 x 10.5 as 3' along the right is the walkway between the hall and the dining room/kitchen. Along the left are windows that run pretty much the length of the room.

The question becomes.... what kind of layout to use? I no jack all about interior design ("What do you mean white isn't a color? ). As I'm doing this with the expectation of selling in the near future, I'm trying to do what "other people" would expect.

Anyone have thoughts, suggestions, links to good design resources, etc?

I was considering putting a 4" in each alcove (angled to shine on the bookcases), and then two rows of 4" coming back from the fireplace, in line with the edges of the fire place (about 2.5' from left edge, 5.5' from right edge). I've seen a standard of 1' apart for each 1" of light diameter.

Then I saw some comment in an article about not putting them in straight rows ("It'll look like a runway"), and I got paranoid.

Regardless of the final pattern, I plan to use at least 2 circuits, with dimmers, so that you always have plenty of different lighting options.

Also, was thinking of placing one row 1.5' off of the stairwell (towards the fireplace), as this would be the center of a 3' walkway between the stairs and the dining room.

Thoughts, comments, suggestions, and other forms of advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

- Brett

 

Hrm.... ok, when you say "6 to 8" in the area, is that including the two 4" lights? IE, is it two 4", and four to six 6"; or two 4", and six to eight 6"?

Thanks for the advice!

- Brett