How much does recessed lighting installation cost?

Per light (professional installation): $100-$200 (includes housing/wafer, wiring, and labor). DIY cost per light: $15-$30 (wafer lights) or $15-$50 (can housing + LED trim). Typical room (6 lights): $600-$1,200 professional, $90-$300 DIY. Adding a dimmer switch: $20-$50 + $50-$100 installation. The biggest cost variable: whether wiring needs to be run (existing wiring is cheaper) or new circuits are needed.

How far apart should recessed lights be?

General rule: spacing = half the ceiling height. 8-foot ceiling: 4 feet apart. 9-foot ceiling: 4.5 feet apart. 10-foot ceiling: 5 feet apart. First row: 2-3 feet from the wall. Kitchen task lighting: 24 inches from the wall over countertops. These are guidelines — adjust based on the room shape and where you want light. Too close: hot spots and over-lit feeling. Too far apart: dark spots between lights.

Can I install recessed lights myself?

Yes, if you are comfortable with basic electrical work. LED wafer lights are the easiest to install (no housing needed, just a junction box and the wafer panel). The hardest part: running wiring through an existing ceiling (fishing wire through joists). If you have attic access above the ceiling: much easier (lay wire on top of the joists). Always turn off the breaker before working. Use IC-rated fixtures. Connect to an LED-compatible dimmer. If you are not comfortable with electrical work: hire a licensed electrician.

What size recessed lights should I use?

6-inch: the most common residential size. Best for general room lighting in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. 4-inch: best for accent lighting, task lighting over counters, and small spaces. 5-inch: a good middle ground for bathrooms and bedrooms. For most rooms: 6-inch lights in a grid pattern provide even, comfortable illumination. For kitchens: 4-inch lights over the counter (task) + 6-inch lights for general room light.

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Woodworking & Lumber

Recessed Lighting Installation Guide: Layout, Sizing & Wiring

Lumberama Editorial Team, Lighting & Electrical Specialists Jun 11, 2026 13 min read

Why Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting (can lights, pot lights) provides clean, unobtrusive illumination without hanging fixtures. Benefits: clean ceiling line (no protruding fixtures), even light distribution, works in low-ceiling rooms (no clearance needed), highlights architectural features and artwork, and increases perceived room size. Recessed lights are the preferred lighting choice for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and living rooms. Modern LED recessed lights are energy-efficient (10-15 watts vs. 65 watts for incandescent), long-lasting (25,000-50,000 hours), and dimmable.

Types

Traditional can lights: A cylindrical housing (the can) installed in the ceiling cavity. Requires 6-8 inches of clearance above the ceiling. Trim ring and bulb or LED module install from below. 4, 5, or 6-inch diameter. $10-$30 per housing + $5-$20 per trim/bulb.

LED wafer lights (ultra-thin): No housing needed. A flat LED panel mounts directly to the junction box. Only 0.5-1 inch thick (installs in ceilings with minimal clearance). The modern standard for new installations and retrofits. $15-$30 each (complete unit). Simpler installation than traditional cans.

Retrofit LED kits: Replace the bulb and trim in existing can light housings with an LED module. $8-$20 each. No rewiring needed. The easiest upgrade for homes with existing recessed lights.

Sizing

4-inch: Accent and task lighting. Tighter beam, more focused light. Good for: countertop task lighting, accent lighting, small rooms, and hallways.

5-inch: Versatile, mid-size option. Good for: general lighting in bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms.

6-inch: The most common residential size. Wider beam, more light output. Good for: general room lighting, kitchens, and large spaces.

Layout and Spacing

General rule: space recessed lights equal to half the ceiling height. 8-foot ceiling: 4 feet apart. 9-foot ceiling: 4.5 feet apart. 10-foot ceiling: 5 feet apart. Place the first row 2-3 feet from the wall (avoids dark edges and harsh shadows on walls). Kitchen: place lights 24 inches from the wall above countertops (centers the light on the work surface). Hallway: center a single row. Bathroom: one light above the shower/tub, lights flanking the vanity mirror. Living room: grid pattern or perimeter layout. Calculate quantity: room square footage / 25 = approximate number of 6-inch lights needed. A 200 sq ft living room: 8 lights. A 100 sq ft kitchen: 4-6 lights (kitchens need more light per sq ft).

IC Rating

IC-rated (Insulation Contact): the housing can be in direct contact with attic insulation. Required whenever insulation is or may be present above the ceiling. Non-IC: must maintain 3-inch clearance from insulation. Always use IC-rated housings (or wafer lights, which are inherently safe for insulation contact). Using a non-IC housing in contact with insulation is a fire hazard.

Installation

Plan the layout (mark ceiling with painter’s tape). Cut holes with a hole saw (match the housing size). For new construction: mount housings to ceiling joists before drywall. For existing ceilings: use remodel housings (clip into the drywall from below). Run 14/2 or 12/2 Romex from the switch to the first light, then daisy-chain to each subsequent light. Connect wiring at each housing. For wafer lights: attach the junction box to the ceiling, connect wiring, and snap the wafer panel into the mounting springs. Install trim (for can lights) or diffuser (for wafers). Connect to a dimmer switch (use an LED-compatible dimmer).