Recessed lighting is easily one of the most practical and functional additions you can make to your home or commercial building. Recessed lighting — often referred to as downlighting or can lighting — is designed to sit flush with your surface (usually a ceiling). These versatile lights work in practically any room. LED recessed lighting is the most common form of architectural lighting found today, and one of the fastest ways to update an existing space with minimal effort. As suppliers of LED recessed lighting, we’re seeing it used increasingly more in both new construction and retrofit applications.

Quality LED recessed lighting will not only give your space a clean, modern and attractive look, it can be used to highlight special building features, illuminate decorative objects and artwork, or set moods with the help of a dimmer. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, LED recessed fixtures are energy efficient and last considerably longer than traditional bulbs. At PROLIGHTING, we offer an extensive collection of well-known LED recessed lighting brands like 

Where to Use Recessed Downlights

Recessed lighting can achieve a range of lighting effects in both indoor and outdoor applications. Recessed downlights are the best choice for rooms with limited ceiling space to work with, or where a large fixture would be obtrusive. In kitchens, recessed downlights can provide great task lighting and create useful ambient light when used in combination with other fixtures like pendants and under cabinets. The slim dimensions of recessed fixtures make them ideal for hallways and corridors when paired with existing sconces or step lights. In the dining room, recessed lighting can complement a standout chandelier or pendant and add a mood-enhancing feel. Gimbals let you manipulate the light beam to provide special accents to artwork or photos. In the bathroom, recessed lighting that is approved for wet and damp locations can install above showers and bathtubs. And for outside, outdoor rated downlight fixtures illuminate porches, patios, soffits, and other spaces like gazebos and kitchens. 

Whether you’re looking to save money by retrofitting or going with a completely new layout, we have hundreds of LED options to choose from. With so many sizes, styles, finishes, and special features available, choosing the right fixture for your application can feel like a daunting task. With our guide, we’ll help you understand exactly which low-profile fixture you need to illuminate your space.

Choosing the Best Recessed Fixture

Retrofitting

There’s many things to consider when selecting the right LED fixture including size, trim, and color temperature. However, your first decision is generally whether to install new fixtures or swap out old ones and save money by retrofitting. Installing an LED retrofit kit into an existing housing is often as simple as removing the original bulb and trim, and screwing in an LED module adapter into the socket. Not only are LEDs 85% more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, they produce way less heat. And because LEDs have a much longer lifespan than other bulbs — up to ten times longer — they’re virtually maintenance-free. Determining size is as easy as measuring the diameter of your existing cut-out, not including the trim (the visible portion of the fixture). Many of today’s models can be used for both new construction and retrofit applications, giving you an even greater selection of options. 

New Construction and Remodel

For new construction and remodel projects, there are several factors that need to be addressed in order to select the appropriate fixture including function, operation, and spatial layout (more on that later). Typically, there are three main components that define a recessed light: housing, trim style, and lamp type (in this case, LED). These days, many LED recessed fixtures are offered in a ‘kit’ with the housing, trim and LED module in one convenient package. Kits are available for many sizes and styles of recessed lighting. Line voltage kits are the standard, and run on household current. Low voltage kits use a driver to reduce the voltage. The driver can either be built-in or separate from the fixture. And as we already touched on, LED retrofit kits let you convert traditional recessed lights to LED while utilizing the existing housing. 

Housing

The housing is the part hidden above the ceiling and encloses all parts of the downlight fixture. As mentioned, the housing is either a separate component or often it is integrated into the full fixture. New construction housing is used in new homes or remodel applications, either before the ceiling has been installed or in an existing ceiling. Insulated (IC rated) housings mean that the recessed light is allowed to be in direct contact with the insulation that is above the ceiling. Non-IC housing must have at least 3 inches of clearance from insulation. Airtight (AT) certified recessed lights, which can either be IC or non-IC rated, reduces the air flow between the unconditioned space above (usually the attic) and the conditioned room below. This plays a crucial role in lowering heating and cooling costs as well as preventing moisture problems. Most of the LED recessed fixtures available today have both IC and AT ratings.

These days it’s all about the super thin ‘wafer style’ LED downlights, where no housing is required. These fixtures are the perfect solution for ceilings with a shallow plenum (the space that facilitates air circulation for heating and cooling), and come in sizes ranging from 3 to 12 inches. The compact design means you can install them in places where most fixtures can’t go; like under overhangs and eaves, and directly under joists for maximum layout flexibility. With many only a half inch thick, not only is housing not required, but you also don’t need access to the above ceiling for installation. Super thin and ultra thin LED downlights are IC rated – they give off barely any heat to require a gap between the fixture and insulation. This means they can be used in new construction and renovation projects.

Installation only takes a few minutes once the hole is cut, and they’re great for use in bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens. You also receive all of the benefits of LED lighting including a longer lifespan, decreased maintenance costs, and energy savings. Some modules have a remote driver box while others are a single unit. You can find detailed instructions on each product page or on the downloadable specification sheet. Take note of our Recommended Accessories when shopping, as certain models may require rough-in or mounting plates or other supplies (sold separately).

Trim

The trim is the finished portion of the recessed fixture that is visible from the outside. The standard is a basic smooth trim. However, trims come in a variety of styles that can manipulate the light in different ways and provide different aesthetics.

• Baffle trim has large grooves that absorb excess light, and is designed to reduce glare and achieve a softer glow. Baffle trims are typically available in black (which reduces the most glare) and white (which reduces the appearance of holes in the ceiling).
• Reflector trim works just the opposite. It has a mirrored surface to amplify the beam for a brighter, more vibrant light. Reflector trims are recommended for spaces where high lumen output is desired, such as kitchens and rooms with high ceilings. Reflector trims can be metallic, black or white with a polished interior.
• Gimbals let you control the direction of the light, allowing for unique displays of illumination. An adjustable swivel body lets you guide the light beam as desired for your application. With gimbals, you’re able to highlight certain elements of your space such as architectural features, accent walls, and artwork or as display lighting. Gimbals come in varying degrees of tilt and beam angle. Available in diameters of 1 to 8 inches, directional recessed gimbals work great for sloped ceiling applications and creating wall wash effects.
• Trimless (or flange-less) achieves a flush, designer look that’s desired in many of today’s upscale commercial and residential interior spaces. Typically, trimless styles are installed in new construction applications, and new construction housing (sold separately) is required.

Other Styles

Regressed

Fixtures with “regression” means that the light source is seated higher up into the housing and the surrounding trim is deep. A full, or deep regressed fixture provides less distracting glare because the light is less visible when viewing the downlight from a distance.

 Sloped Ceiling

Looking for a solution for a vaulted or sloped ceiling application? Look no further than the best selling Lotus Sloped LED Gimbal Downlight for new construction and remodels. This round, regressed fixture has a 30º sloped trim and is available in 4 and 6-inch configurations — some designed with features like CCT tuning, high output, and ‘dim to warm’ capability. The sloped fixture’s light source has a 38º beam angle, 20º tilt, and 360º rotation — making it ideal for creating unique wall wash effects and highlighting artwork or other features.

Installation is simple — just cut a hole in the ceiling and the attached spring clips snap the fixture into place without the need for housing. The 4-inch sloped gimbals can be used for 5º to 55º ceiling slopes, and the 6-inch for 10º to 50º, respectively. They are air-tight, IC-rated for direct contact with insulation, and suitable for damp or wet locations. A high CRI (color rendering index) of 90+ provides true color rendering in the area of illumination.

Dimming and Special Features

Paying close attention to color temperature and intensity can all have a bearing on your space, making it somewhere you’ll actually want to spend time. For that, we have many LED recessed lights that ‘Dim to Warm’, white tunable, and color changing, and we continue to offer more and more products that are functional with today’s smart technology. 

Spacing and Layout

The size of your fixture will depend on your ceiling height and the square footage of your space. Keep in mind that there are no strict rules when it comes to fixture placement — personal preference and design aesthetic is sometimes enough to go on. A common rule of thumb is one recessed light for every 4 to 6 feet of ceiling space. Typically, fixtures should be placed 24 inches from a wall or cabinet with 2 to 5 feet of space between them. Keep in mind that for a bedroom, for example, you won’t need it as bright as a kitchen, so you can often get away with less fixtures. 

The common size for residential recessed downlights is 4 to 7 inches in diameter. The most popular size is a 6-inch fixture. For that reason, there are often more 6-inch styles available to choose from. Higher ceilings often require larger diameters, typically 6 inches or above. Generally, the larger the diameter of your fixture, the wider the wash of light it will provide.

For kitchens, 4 and 5-inch is an ideal size for providing light above countertops with enough output for food prep and cleanup. When laying out recessed lighting in a kitchen, you’ll want to focus on areas that aren’t covered by other fixtures like pendants or under cabinet lighting. Consider where your high-traffic areas are, and focus on lighting that space. For galley-style kitchens or walkways around an island, a single row of appropriately spaced downlights will enhance your ambient lighting scheme. For wall-to-wall kitchens with nothing in the center, a grid pattern might be your best option for even illumination throughout the space.

In bathrooms, LED recessed lighting can add both style and function to your space. Unlike regular wall or ceiling mounted fixtures, recessed lights can be installed in shower stalls or over tub areas. It’s important to consider recessed lighting as part of an overall bath lighting layout. Bar lights or wall sconces around vanity spaces and mirrors in combination with recessed lights will give you seamless, layered lighting that can be hard to achieve with just ceiling fixtures alone.

For bathrooms, always choose a waterproof downlight that’s rated for wet and damp locations. Steam from the shower is enough to cause problems for fixtures that are only rated for dry locations, and an air-tight waterproof fixture will resist corrosion and is less likely to short circuit over time. For these applications, the 2-inch Steam Shower LED Downlight from Lotus is always a good choice. Available in a variety of different reflectors, Lotus Steam Shower LED Downlights are designed with a glass lens that provides against constant ambient moisture and steam. A high CRI of 90+ means you get the truest color rendering in the illuminated area. Being only 4.4″ tall, the Steam Shower LED fixture can be installed where ceiling space may be limited. Before you buy, check the product page or the linked spec sheet to ensure the proper UL listing for your application.  

To determine spacing, similar guidelines as outlined above apply here. To avoid a spotlight effect on vertical surfaces, you may want to install downlight fixtures at least 2 feet from walls and cabinets. On the other hand, too much spacing can result in shadows throughout the room. PRO top: use a dimmer for added control. In bath spaces, dimming gives you task, ambient, and accent lighting all at the touch of a button.