How to Place Recessed Spots in a Ceiling

Recessed lighting offers an upscale lighting scheme that works well with most styles of decor. You can provide adequate light throughout the room, highlight a room's architectural details and artwork and create ambiance with dimmer switches. Recessed lighting fixtures are available in kits, but the first step in installing the fixtures is to make a plan. Once the holes are cut in the ceiling, you'll want to avoid spending extra time and money to make modifications. This is not a project for the casual do-it-yourselfer. If you are inexperienced with working with electricity, consult an electrician before you get started.

Graph paper
12-inch ruler
Folding ruler or yardstick
Drill with hole-saw attachment
Safety goggles
Dust mask
Recessed lighting kit

Instructions

- 1
  Make a scale drawing of your ceiling. Measure the area of your ceiling and then transfer those measurements onto paper. Graph paper works best, but plain paper works in a pinch. Allow 1 inch per foot. For example, draw an 8-inch by 10-inch rectangle for a ceiling that's 8 feet by 10 feet.
- 2
  Draw in any architectural details such as curved walls, soffits or beams.
- 3
  Select the optimal placement for the recessed lighting considering your furniture placement, artwork and task areas of the room. Lighting designers recommend that lights be staggered across the ceiling rather than placed in straight lines to avoid a runway look.
- 4
  Check the space above the ceiling. If there is an attic above the ceiling, check for wires or any obstructions.
- 5
  Mark the placement of the holes using a yardstick or folding ruler and pencil. Use the paper template that comes with the lighting kit to mark the size of the circles to be cut.
- 6
  Put on eye protection and a dust mask. Use a hole-saw attachment to drill holes in the ceiling.
- 7
  Insert the recessed lighting fixtures according to the manufacturer's directions.

How to Fit Sunken Spotlights in a Ceiling

Comparison of Recessed Lighting and Spotlights

Lighting