I'm probably going to do can lighting in the basement. There will essentially be no windows, so I will rely on electricity and lighting to brighten things up.

Is there a standard rule of thumb for can lights? Do they go every 8 feet? Or does it matter?



Or... given the fact that I'll be depending on lighting to brighten up the room, should I consider an alternative light?

Thanks.

 

We typically do it every 6 to 8 feet. BUT you need to understand the layout of the room first. I personally don't want a light directly over my head when I'm sitting down.

This is the reason why I continue to tout drop ceilings. If after you mount the cans and install the ceiling it doesn't work, it's just the cost of a few ceiling tiles.

 

I think what I'm going to do is first frame it out, then worry about the layout. I know how I want the room to be... Where the TV, couches, etc will go... That's something I'll have to figure out.

 

If you just space the cans in a foot or two and put them around the room you'll be fine. I'm thinking of going with the ones you can adjust the angle on so I can get it just right.

 

Doesn't it depend on the size of light as well?

I went with 8 3" lights in a ~12x20 area. I also went with angled lights and put the 8 lights on 2 switches (4 per side) which also serve as dimmers.