How many recessed downlights should I use in a given room?
Although this is a very common question it is not easy to give a simple answer because the answer depends on many important variables. Some of these variables include the height of the ceiling, the brightness or darkness of the ceiling, walls, and floor, the type of recessed downlight used, the type and wattage of the lamp being used, and the purpose of the recessed downlights (general lighting, task lighting, accent lighting). In a residential kitchen situation with an 8ft to 9ft whitish-colored ceiling, “light-colored” walls, cabinets, counter tops, and floor, 5in line voltage recessed downlights with white trims and white baffles, and 75W PAR30 lamps being used for general lighting the distance between the recessed fixtures could vary from four to five feet on center. Their exact location in your kitchen could also be affected by the location of the HVAC duct work, the water pipes, and joists, and if you are a person who wants only a little light or a person who needs a great deal o
