Recessed Lighting Layout Guide for Kitchens, Living Rooms & Bathrooms

A smart layout doesn’t just brighten a room. It balances light, melts away awkward shadows, and honestly just makes your home feel better to live in. But if the plan is off? You end up with gloomy corners, harsh glares, or a space that feels strangely flat.

Why Layout Can’t Be an Afterthought
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Kitchen Lighting: Focus on the Work
Kitchens are action zones. The biggest mistake we see? People line lights up down the middle of the ceiling and call it a day. Your countertops - not the empty floor - need the light.

Here’s what works better:
Pull your recessed lights 12 to 18 inches out from the edge of your upper cabinets. This shines the light directly onto your counter workspace. Skip the single row. Instead, think in terms of multiple rows covering the main work triangles: the sink, the stove, and your main prep area.

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Living Room Lighting: Set the Mood
Your living room lighting should be flexible and welcoming. You’re not lighting a lab, you’re creating atmosphere. The goal is to complement your furniture and highlight what you love, like art or a bookshelf.

Spacing tips that actually work:
Space your lights about 5 to 7 feet apart. Keep them 2 to 3 feet from the walls to create a nice, even “wash” of light on the wall surface. A pro tip? Often, using fewer fixtures with higher, better-quality output looks more intentional than scattering a dozen dim lights across the ceiling.

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Should everything be perfectly centered?
Not necessarily. Symmetry can look great in some spaces, but always position lights around your seating areas and focal points first. The center of an empty ceiling isn’t always the most useful target.

Bathroom Lighting: Combine Safety and Flattery
Bathroom lighting has two jobs: be safe and to make sure you look okay. Recessed lights are key here, but they’re most effective when paired with good vanity lighting to banish shadows from your face.

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How to Knock Out Shadows
Shadows happen when a light is directly above where you stand. The fix?

• Offset lights slightly forward from cabinets and vanities.
• Use wall-washing techniques in living areas.
• Never rely on recessed lights alone. Layer in pendants, sconces, and lamps.
  Good design anticipates how you move through a room.

What spacing works best for living rooms?
Around 5 to 7 feet apart tends to work well for balanced, flexible light.

Should recessed lights be centered?
Center them on your key areas, like an island or seating group, not necessarily the room's geometric center.

What lumen output is best per room?
Kitchens & baths need more (70-80 lm/sq ft). Living rooms need less (20-30 lm/sq ft) for a cozy feel.

How do you avoid shadows with recessed lighting?
Don’t put lights directly overhead at key task spots. Offset them and always use layered lighting.

Should recessed lights be symmetrical?
Only when it supports how you use the room. Task lighting comes first.

Can recessed lighting replace chandeliers?
For general light, yes. For style and a focal point, no. Use both.

What are common recessed lighting layout mistakes?
Poor spacing, lighting the wrong areas, over-lighting, skipping dimmers, and not considering ceiling height.

Final Thought
Getting your recessed lighting layout right makes a huge difference in how your home feels and functions. It’s worth taking the time to plan it out. At Cans & Fans, we’re here to help with both the products and the know-how. See how our lighting solutions can work for your space: https://www.cansandfans.com