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Lighting
**Living room:** 4–6 cans **Kitchen:** 6–8+ cans (plus under-cabinet) **Basement:** 6–10+ cans depending on size
How Many Recessed Can Lights Does a Room Actually Need?
July 27, 20263 min read
The goal: even light, no dark corners
Recessed can lighting looks clean and modern, but the magic is in the layout. Too few lights and you get shadows; too many and it's overkill.
A simple rule of thumb
Divide your ceiling height by 2 to get the spacing between lights. For an 8-foot ceiling, space lights about 4 feet apart. For a 10-foot ceiling, about 5 feet.
Count by room size
Don't forget dimmers
Dimmers let you set the mood and save energy. We always recommend dimmable LED trims with compatible dimmer switches.
Let us design it for you
Every room is different. We design the layout based on your space, ceiling height, and how you use the room — so the light is even, modern, and exactly right.
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