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Why Use Recessed Lights?

Take a peek into how recessed lights illuminate odd corners, brighten drab spaces and more

Rashmi Haralalka
Rashmi Haralalka30 July 2021
Houzz India Contributor. I am a blogger who's passionate about writing, especially interior design, home decor, and home improvement. I believe that details are not just details... they make the design. Connect with me on: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rashmi-sharda-b79b8119 Email: rashmiharalalka@gmail.com
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Recessed lights, also referred to as downlights, pot lights or canister lights, are light fixtures that are installed into hollow openings in the ceiling, wall, staircase and so on. They are a great addition to homes, and can make a room feel bigger, with more depth, highlighting dark corners and awkward spots. Here are some ways to use recessed lights in your home.
SHAHEN MISTRY ARCHITECTS
In this puja room, soft recessed lights bring out the soothing tones of the wall colour and pass through the traditional jali frames,creating an interesting interplay of patterns. The same jali pattern is embossed on the backdrop of the shrine and is enhanced by the recessed light. This is often attained through a lighting technique called ‘wall grazing’ that helps larger surfaces like walls become the eye-catcher of the area, by highlighting their texture.
Adrienne DeRosa
Custom-fit recessed lights illuminate this corridor to give a clean, streamlined look. The windows bring in a play of shadows and the recessed lights mirror the effect. This is a great way a material-heavy space can get respite and depth from clever installation of lights.

Find an interior designer from the Houzz directory for your next home improvement project
Graham Atkins-Hughes Photography
This bedroom shows how cove recessed lights can function as ambient lighting too. Cove lighting is a technique that directs light toward the ceiling and diffuses illumination. Installed in the ceiling, the light gently falls on the drapery, making it the focal point of the room and flattering its folds. With a centrally white decor theme, these lights seem to give a moonlit feel.

Discover the elegance of recessed cove lighting
Shamanth Patil Photography
Recessed lights are installed in the drop or faux ceiling of this bathroom. The lights bring definition to the voluminous space, along with a heightened sense of opulence aided by other accessories.
Shamanth Patil Photography
Sleek recessed lights fit well behind the frameless mirror and set up a sublime mood in this bathroom. The height of the mirror gets further enhanced due to the focused illumination, adding to the sense of volume here.

See more of recessed light ideas here
Prachi Damle Photography
These shelves and study table are illuminated with reflector recessed lights, concentrated on specific areas. The gimbal fixtures (directional lights) are great for spaces like this, as they can rotate and swivel, and can be focused exactly where you wish.
NG-STUDIO Interior Design. Sanremo
This modular kitchen is brightened up with under-cabinet and reflector downlights in the ceiling. Not only does it complement the sleek kitchen cabinets and decor but ensures you have ample lighting for food prep.
ALEX JACOB ARCHITECT
This design goes all out with back-lit recessed lights in the bar. This bar is lined at both ends with honey onyx from the counter down through the floor, to give a soft glow and heighten the illumination. The fixtures are evenly spread out to ensure optimal brightness in the rest of the bar. Even the dark faux ceiling is lit up with cove recessed lights.
Martin Gardner Photography
With recessed lights lined up on both sides, this wooden staircases gets an ethereal glow. It makes the staircase seem like an art installation rather than a mere flight of steps. An added bonus is these lights usually don’t take up any extra space, making them a clever design solution for narrow zones like these.

Gorgeous Lights Bring a Shine to These Staircases
Abin Design Studio
This under-lit pool gives a clear view of the layered floor tiles. Even the walls are dotted with recessed lights, which gives a soft glow to this outdoor space. Usually wet-location lighting or waterproof LEDs are used in these wet zones, as they are water-safe.
A360 a r c h i t e c t s
The outer courtyard of this house is lit up with recessed lights, which bring subtle elegance to the outdoors. Diffused illumination helps create a soft and magical glow along the pavement while carefully demarcating boundaries and step-zones. A clever addition for homes with driveways, since they can mark out the path. One should install damp-rated lights for such outdoor areas as they are designed to withstand moist environments.

Read more:
8 Ways to Get Ambient Lighting Just Right
Lighting Faux Pas: Don’t Make These Mistakes With Your Lights

Tell us:
Where have you installed recessed lights in your home? Show and tell in Comments below.
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