How to Choose Recessed Lighting for a Bedroom
The lights you choose for your bedroom should do more than just illuminate. Recessed lighting, for instance, can create a mood and offer focused illumination on specific areas for reading and other tasks. Here is how to choose recessed lighting for a bedroom. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Create a Lighting Plan
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Think about the activities that take place in the bedroom and the type of light you need for them.
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Decide where to position recessed lighting fixtures for general lighting. Position overhead lights at least 6 inches outside the perimeter of the bed. Avoid placing lights directly over the bed.
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Create mood lighting by mixing low-wattage lights for romance with high-wattage lights for task lighting.
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Accent artwork and wall décor with focused recessed lights positioned approximately 3 to 4 feet away from the wall.
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Place a row of high-intensity lights over mirrors for ease of grooming.
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Light your closet interiors. Recessed overhead lighting is ideal for closet lighting.
Choose Your Lights
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Measure the ceiling of your room to determine the number of lights you'll need.
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Decide between fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID) and incandescent lights.
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Choose the right housing for your ceiling and construction. New construction housings can be installed from above. Remodeled housings are designed to be installed from below. Insulation contact (IC) housings are designed for ceilings that have insulation above them.
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Choose trim to coordinate with your room.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider using energy-efficient lighting even if it's not required by your local ordinances. Fluorescent and halide lights use far less energy and will reduce your electric bill considerably.
Use IC light housings if there is insulation present above the ceiling.
Check local ordinances before buying housings and lamps to be sure that your design complies with safety and energy codes.
Solicit advice from a lighting professional or electrician to be sure that your installation is safe.
