Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - General Recessed lighting for Living Room
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jaspers95
08-14-08, 09:16 PM
I'm looking to add general lighting in my 16 x 12 living room. I plan to use 6" cans. The ceilings are 8 ft. How many 6" cans should I use and what spacing between the cans? This will be the only source of lighting in the room. My plan is to use 4 cans, but I'm not sure what trim/size bulbs to get to make sure enough light is provided.
french277V
08-14-08, 09:59 PM
For the living room recessed cans typically if they are used for main lighting then you will need 6 of them and the way it will depending on wattage and trim it will affect the performace.
The main thing is have even spaceing something like you mention 8 foot ceiling so first can is 4 feet from the wall { long run } then space 4 feet apart and each row 3 feet from walls 6 feet in between the two rows
This will be figured with 65 watts R 30 bulbs with white open trim any other types will change the layout a bit and yeah I really recommoned a dimmer switch so you can turn it down while you are watching TV etc.,,
Merci,Marc
The main thing is have even spaceing something like you mention 8 foot ceiling so first can is 4 feet from the wall { long run } then space 4 feet apart and each row 3 feet from walls 6 feet in between the two rows
This will be figured with 65 watts R 30 bulbs with white open trim any other types will change the layout a bit and yeah I really recommoned a dimmer switch so you can turn it down while you are watching TV etc.,,
Merci,Marc
mudslapper
08-15-08, 07:42 AM
Marc is right, you want six cans. I redid my living room a year ago and I really liked using a <a href="http://www.vosslighting.com/storefrontB2BWEB/itemdetail.do?action=prepare_detail&itm_id=6157"> Philips 60par38IRC 130 volt halogen bulb.</a> It has the light output of a 90 watt but uses only 53 watts. I got a wide flood which really spread the light perfectly on the floor. I also used a lutron dimmer that I got at Home Depot for $14. Good luck with your project!
John Nelson
08-15-08, 08:03 AM
A lot depends on what you use the living room for, and how many task lights (e.g., table and floor lamps) you might have in addition to the ceiling lights. Many living rooms get away with no ceiling lights at all, if the room is just used for TV and reading (by the light of the table lamp). But if you do jigsaw puzzles in the middle of the room, you might want a lot more light.
Personally, I think four lights is enough for most activities. I like to divide the room into equal-sized rectangles with sides no more than 8 feet, and then put one light in the center of each rectangle. In your case, that would be four 6x8 rectanges. But go with six lights if your eyes are old and you do detailed activities (like watch repair).
Personally, I think four lights is enough for most activities. I like to divide the room into equal-sized rectangles with sides no more than 8 feet, and then put one light in the center of each rectangle. In your case, that would be four 6x8 rectanges. But go with six lights if your eyes are old and you do detailed activities (like watch repair).