How to Determine Recessed Lighting Spacing

Identify other light sources in the room. Determine if the recessed lights will provide the majority of the light in a room or just highlight a focal point. If used to just highlight a feature in a room, such as over the bathroom vanity or to shine light over artwork in a wall cutout, you will need fewer lights.

Measure the height of your ceilings. Recessed lighting should be installed every 3 to 4 feet in 8-foot ceilings, every 4 to 5 feet in 10-foot ceilings and every 5 to 6 feet in 12-foot ceilings.

Sketch the layout of the room, including the furniture and cabinetry. Experiment with the layout by drawing circles on the paper where you intend to install lights. When sketching, make sure there is proper task lighting for all features in the room, such as a kitchen island, sink, stove and table.

Center the recessed light(s) over the object or area of activity. For example, when installing recessed lighting over a bathroom vanity, center two or three lights over the mirror. For a dining room, center two to three lights over the table. In a kitchen, center two to three lights over the center island or counter and one above the stove and sink. In a living room, ensure a light is centered over a reading chair and two are centered above the couch and entertainment center.

Verify that multiple lights are spaced properly. If you've decided to line up two or more lights, make sure they have the proper amount of space between them as discussed in Steps 2 and 3. If not, reduce the number of lights used.