ᐅ Planning for LED Recessed Lights – Request for Advice

I think it’s really a matter of personal preference. We also have recessed ceiling lights in the living/dining area—two circuits with 8 spots each, each circuit switched as 2x4. A friend who is an electrician advised us against using dimmable options because dimmers and LEDs often don’t work well together, leading to frequent failures. We haven’t regretted that decision!

In the dining area, there is additionally a DIY lamp hanging over the table made from a piece of driftwood with a fabric-covered cable and light bulbs with porcelain sockets. In the living area, there is also a ceiling outlet above the living room table, but we now use an arc floor lamp there. This way, you can easily switch from a cozy atmosphere to bright lighting whenever needed!

Melli-H. schrieb:

But if you want light, it should be well lit everywhere.

And don’t you notice the contradiction? Spotlights and well lit—that’s a conflict.

Spotlights are used as supplementary lighting to highlight something.

As previously recommended, sketch in all the furniture and also the other lighting.

It may come down to personal preference, but when exactly do you want full lighting in the living room? Currently, we have a ceiling track system (similar to your spotlights), a ceiling outlet, and small floor lamps with indirect lighting.

Since we started planning our build two years ago, I’ve been paying attention to when different lights are turned on.

The expensive track system is used the least, actually almost never. Mostly only when we’re searching for mosquitoes or when someone has dropped an earring.

All other times, we use what I consider the cozier lighting options.

But, of course, it’s a matter of taste.

Mycraft schrieb:

And you don’t notice the discrepancy? Spotlights and well-lit—that’s a contradiction.

I don’t see it that way! If you choose spotlights with the appropriate beam angle, you can illuminate a room very well. Of course, it’s also a matter of personal taste, but in my opinion, spotlights or even LED panels are quite suitable for this purpose. However, I would definitely plan additional light sources as well, in order to cover a wide range of lighting needs.

cschiko schrieb:

but spotlights or also LED panels

Apples and oranges.

cschiko schrieb:

In my opinion, LED panels are really great for that.

Exactly. LED panels are excellent for general lighting. But by definition, panels are the complete opposite of spotlights.

In our new apartment (2018), we deliberately decided to almost completely avoid recessed spotlights and have only regretted it in the bathroom so far. We installed spotlights only directly above the kitchen island. Everything is dimmable, etc., but compared to all other light fixtures, these spotlights were extremely expensive and are hardly ever used. Instead, the additional regular ceiling light in the middle of the kitchen is used more often. I would therefore recommend reconsidering this. I haven’t found spotlights attractive for a long time. If you do choose spot lighting, go for small, delicate fixtures. We have something like that in the hallway. There, we have several normal ceiling outlets paired with fixtures that include a spotlight.

It even looks very high-end despite the low price. There are also others with adjustable spotlights, etc.
If I had to do it again, I would install those above the kitchen island as well. They simply look nicer than those boring recessed spotlights.