How to Install Recessed Lighting

Learning how to install recessed lighting can help to add a lot of beauty to your home. It is appealing because of the low maintenance features and subtle style.

For those who feel like they just have too much going on in their homes, recessed lighting can really declutter the area.

When you’re considering how many recessed lighting fixtures you’ll need, consider one per 30 square feet of space.

Many people like to choose halogen or fluorescent lights. If energy efficiency is important to you, you may want to choose one of those.

The good news is that it’s fairly easy to learn how to install recessed lighting. You just need to make sure that any insulation around the lights are insulation contact rated. The last thing you want to do is cause a fire because of mishandles installation!

After you’ve taken care of the details like which light you’re going to use, you can go ahead and get started. The first thing you need to do is figure out where the joists are in the room where the light is going. If you want the easiest installation possible, then run your wire through as few joists as possible.

Make sure you protect the area under where the light fixture is going. This might require you to take out all furniture and lay a protective covering in the room. The drywall can get quite messy when you’re installing recessed lighting.

Then, you’ll need to shut off all the power. If you do not you could end up being electrocuted. Please don’t think you can get away without doing this step!

Next, you need to remove the old lighting fixture if you have one. Unscrew the nuts to take it out. Leave the wires that are coming out of the ceiling. You will use these to install your new lights.

Drill where you want your new lighting to go. Remember that you’ll need to have a least 7” above your ceiling to do the installation. Remember where your joists are, because your new installation will go between the joists.

Then, mark where the openings where you’re going to install. Cut the openings with your drywall saw. Finally, you can install the mounting device with the electrical box. Once you’re done, you need to drill holes in the joists. This will house the wires coming from the light.

You can then run the wire to power your recessed lighting. Remember, red to red, black to black, and green to green.

Then you can put the cover onto the ceiling over the fixture. Finally, screw in your light bulb, hit the power switch, and see what a beautiful fixture you have installed.

Learning how to install recessed lighting can be a lot of fun. The beauty it adds to your home is definitely worth the time it takes to learn.