Architectural Lighting
Professional-Grade Fixtures for Design Precision
About Architectural Lighting
Architectural lighting gives a room even general light, lights work surfaces such as a kitchen counter from close range, puts a spotlight on art and helps light the outside of the house. It's built into the space instead of hanging in it, so plan where the light needs to land first; the fixtures follow.
Types of architectural lighting
- Functional Lighting Track and rail systems, recessed downlights and step lights that give a space its general and task light.
- Accent Lights Picture lights, cabinet lights, LED strips and pucks that highlight art, shelves, displays and the counter below your cabinets.
- Directional Lights Ceiling monopoints, spotlights and downlights with heads you can aim at art, a wall or a work surface.
- Security Lighting Outdoor floodlights, wall lights and dusk-to-dawn and motion-sensor fixtures for entries, driveways and the sides of the house.
How to plan architectural lighting
- Recessed spacing About half the ceiling height apart. The chart below covers common ceilings.
- Distance from walls Keep recessed lights about 2 to 3 ft from the walls to avoid harsh scallops (arcs of light and shadow) on the wall.
- Under cabinets Mount strip or puck lights near the front edge of the cabinet so they light the counter, not the backsplash.
- Accenting art To reduce glare on the glass, aim an accent light at about a 30-degree angle.
Recessed light spacing chart
| Ceiling height | Space lights about | From the walls |
|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | 4 ft apart | About 2 ft |
| 9 ft | 4.5 ft apart | About 2 to 3 ft |
| 10 ft | 5 ft apart | About 2.5 ft |
| 12 ft | 6 ft apart | About 3 ft |
Architectural lighting specs explained
- Color temperature 2700K to 3000K for living spaces, 3000K for most kitchens, 4000K for garages and workspaces.
- Beam angle Narrow beams (10 to 25 degrees) spotlight small art and details; 40 degrees and up spread general light or cover a large piece.
- IC rated A recessed housing built for direct contact with insulation. Use one wherever insulation will touch the housing, such as under an insulated attic, and follow the installation instructions. Non-IC housings need about 3" of clearance from insulation.
- Wet rated Use where a recessed light gets direct shower spray. Damp rated is the minimum over a tub or shower, and a good choice for the rest of a bathroom.
- CRI How true colors look. 90 or higher makes food, art and finishes look right.
- Dimming Check fixture and dimmer compatibility so LEDs dim without flicker or buzz.
Architectural lighting questions
How many recessed lights do I need?
Divide the ceiling height by two to get the spacing, then lay that grid over the room, with the outer lights about half a space in from the walls. On an 8 ft ceiling, that's about 4 ft apart, so a 12 x 12 ft room takes a 3 x 3 grid of nine lights. Four to six brighter, wider-beam lights can give enough light, but it will be less even.
Track lighting or recessed lighting?
Recessed lights give clean, even general light and disappear into the ceiling, but they're easiest to add when the ceiling is open, in new construction or a gut remodel. Cutting into a finished ceiling means new holes and new wiring. Track mounts to the surface, often at an existing ceiling box, so it's simpler to add later, and you can aim and move each head as the room changes. Both are hardwired, so have an electrician install them to local code.
What color temperature is best for kitchens?
Most kitchens look best at 3000K, which is clean but still warm. Use 4000K for a brighter, crisper look over work surfaces. Keep the main lights in a room close in color so the light looks even. Warm accent lamps can run a little lower.
Where should under-cabinet lights go?
Near the front edge of the cabinet, not against the wall. That way the light falls on the counter where you work instead of glaring off the backsplash. Strip lights give even light; puck lights give pools of light.
How do I light art on a wall?
Aim an accent light at the center of the piece from about 30 degrees off vertical. That angle lights the art evenly and keeps glare off glass and glossy paint. Track heads and adjustable recessed lights let you re-aim when you change the art.
Can LED recessed lights be dimmed?
Many can, if the fixture is listed as dimmable and the dimmer is compatible. Check the fixture's spec sheet for compatible dimmers. A mismatch causes flicker, buzzing or lights that won't dim all the way down.
