How To Install Recessed Lights

Read More: Determining The Correct LED Driver Voltage Range for an LED Application

Recessed lighting fixtures can be found in most homes across the country. If installed correctly, they can provide the perfect amount of light to any room, whether you’re installing them in a living room, restaurant, office, or bathroom. Recessed lighting adds a touch of sophistication and style to any room. Not only are these lights unobtrusive and therefore complimentary of any decor style, but they also provide effective bright light to illuminate the whole room.

The installation process is something that is much more construction-based rather than electrical. The planning process is extremely important and although the tools needed for the installation are very basic, it is more difficult to install recessed lights than traditional types of ceiling lights. The process involves a lot of cutting symmetrical holes in your ceiling, which can be a challenge in itself and that’s before you’ve even begun to install them. The holes must be cut to precision, and on top of that, they will have to be properly sealed to protect the lights.

At Vision Lighting, we supply quality products to assist you in installing and powering your lighting. The importance of constant power, when it comes to LED technology, is vital. This is why we have curated a range of products that ensure power consumption is cost-effective, the output is stable, and your signs, spaces, or offices remain well illuminated.

We pride ourselves on the exceptional service we deliver. On our website, you'll find an exceptional range of products to suit all needs, from large-scale factories that need lighting to LED shop lights, outdoor sign lighting, and smaller-scale lighting that is perfect for domestic properties.

If you have any questions about the products we stock or need help choosing a lighting option that is suitable for you, please get in touch today.

Can I Install Recessed Lighting Myself?

In short, yes you can! There’s a couple of things to make sure of before your start though.

Make sure all electricity in the room is switched off, meaning both the wall switch and the mains fuse box. This is extremely important for your safety. If you are not comfortable working safely with electricity, call a licensed electrician to complete your installation, rather than attempting to install recessed lighting yourself.

Once there is no electric current running through the room, you will need to ensure you have the right tools and lighting for the job. Here at Vision Lighting, we have spent the last few years refining the tools and lighting solutions that we offer. Some helpful lighting products that we offer include:

Round LED Ceiling Panel

If you’re looking for a light that’s perfect for commercial or office use, this LED ceiling panel is a cost-effective, durable and stylish alternative to standard compact fluorescent fittings, plus its ‘plug and play’ design means it is easy to install.

JCC V50 LED Downlight

Alternatively, this downlight is great for domestic use. It’s a stylish light fitting ideal for installation in a kitchen or hallway, and thanks to its IP65 rating against dust and water ingress, you can even install the V50 downlight in a bathroom.

How To Install Recessed Lighting

Step 1 - Wiring and locating a circuit

Whether you’re installing recessed lights in a new build or remodelling a room, the first thing you need to do is to plan your light placement. If you know of a particular spot in the room that needs a recessed light directly above it, that should be your starting point. For example, if you’re adding recessed lighting in a kitchen, you may want to ensure there is a light directly above the cooker or the sink. There are other considerations to make when installing recessed lighting to kitchens in regard to light fittings. In contrast to a general living area, kitchens require higher luminosity in order to best illuminate cooking and preparation space for full visibility.

Another thing to bear in mind is the ceiling height. To determine how far apart you need to space your lights, divide the height of the ceiling by two. If a room has an 8-foot ceiling, you should space your recessed lights approximately 4 feet apart. Use this as a base though as you may have bright, high-voltage lights that could be placed further apart. It’s also important to place your lights away from the walls or corners. Ceiling lights placed too close to the edge will result in some unsightly shadows and can form areas of intense light on your walls, preventing an even spread of light across the room.

Mark the planned locations and conduct research of the hole size required before drilling or cutting any holes. You will find this information in the product’s specification sheet or instruction manual, enabling you to gather the correct equipment prior to installation. To mark the planned areas, it is worth locating the routes of the existing electrical wiring to prevent any damage or hazards. Keep in mind that this may require drilling holes into the ceiling for access. It is crucial to be aware of where the joists are located in the property, as recessed lighting - such as downlights - may need clearance for its clips.

If you can access the ceiling from your attic, this will make it much easier to run your wires and your installation will run much smoother. However, If you cannot access the ceiling from your attic, then you’ll need to fish wires from one recessed lighting fixture to the next. This will likely be the most difficult part of the installation.

Take a tape measure and measure the distances between the recessed lighting placements, as well as the distance between the junction box and the closest recessed light. Then, take a pair of wire cutters and cut the cable to lengths that are about 4 to 6 inches longer than your measurements. This will give you enough additional wire to work with when making the connections.

Step 2 - Mounting the recessed lighting correctly

You will need to then pull the wire through the holes you have made. If the wire is coming from another recessed light, open the previous light's junction box and attach the wire safely by using a cable connector. If the wire is coming from its own circuit, simply pull the wire through the hole.

Gently tear off about 25-30mm inches (or the amount indicated in the product manual) of cable sheathing to reveal the wires inside. You can complete this step using the wire cutter tool for ease. Carefully pull the wire into the new light's junction box and make the connections. For example, a black wire from the light will be attached to the cable's black wire. Some lights may have push-fit connectors, which are identified by colour.

Carefully push the light up into the ceiling hole. The fit should be tight, but not so tight as to damage the surrounding wall. Most recessed lights have some form of clip system that attaches to the inside top of the ceiling drywall. For example, our Round LED Ceiling Panel is a popular choice due to its ‘plug and play’ feature, making installation a quick and simple process.

Step 3 - Add the light trim

The next step is to add the light trim. If your chosen light fixture doesn’t already have an attached trim, ensure your chosen trim is secure and tight to the ceiling. The light fixture you purchase will usually come with instructions on how to implement the light trim. If not, here is a simple guide on how to install these light fixtures safely. The current downlights range available includes White, Brushed Nickel and Chrome bezels to choose from. They are also interchangeable to enable the user to experiment with different looks.

Step 4 - Install the light bulb

The products available at Vision Lighting have a built-in, non-replaceable LED light, however, the switch located behind the bezel allows the user to choose between two light output colours. You can select either the 3000K Warm White and 4000K Natural White illumination. Should you obtain a fitting that has a replaceable light source, ensure that your selected light bulb is appropriate for the recessed lighting fixture you have used. For example, using a bulb not rated for your recessed light can be a fire hazard.

Once you’ve installed your light bulb, turn the electricity back on at the mains fuse box and you should have fully working recessed lighting.

Purchase Your Recessed Light Today!

In the decade or so that we have been operating, we have spent time refining our product development so that we only offer the best, high-quality, durable products that provide stunning illumination and last for years to come.

Whatever your requirements, be it quality LEDs for recessed lighting for an office building, or even some light accessories such as brackets, junction boxes, or LED bulbs, we're confident that we'll have the right products for you. Our dedicated team are continuously committed to improving quality.

Search This Blog

Lightings - BLLS-Lighting