ᐅ What is the typical cost of recessed ceiling lights (installed by a general contractor in a new build)?

.. what is the purpose of recessed spotlights in the ceiling, for example in the pantry? I have a fluorescent tube on the ceiling there – regular bulbs work fine too. I also don’t have spotlights in the bathrooms – well, except in the main bathroom, but there we have a suspended ceiling, so it was easy to install.

It's a matter of personal taste, we only have recessed lights in the bathrooms and hallways. The kitchen might still be okay, as we have fixtures similar to recessed lights there. But in the living rooms? Or the pantry?..

Abzug86 schrieb:

Is that supposed to be a lot?

Open living area (approx. 22 m² (237 sq ft)): 7 spotlights
Kitchen (16.5 m² (178 sq ft)), including island: 11 spotlights
Pantry (7.5 m² (81 sq ft)): 4 spotlights
Ground floor hallway (15 m² (161 sq ft)): 4 spotlights
Shower/toilet ground floor (5.5 m² (59 sq ft)): 4 spotlights
Closet (4 m² (43 sq ft)): 2 spotlights
Upper floor hallway/gallery (12 m² (129 sq ft)): 5 spotlights
Bathroom (16.5 m² (178 sq ft)): 8 spotlights
Total: 43 spotlights

That equals less than one spotlight per 2 m² (21.5 sq ft) in these rooms and is well below the guideline I know (one spotlight per 2 m²). I've been in several rooms (including living rooms) with one spotlight per 2 m², and thanks to multiple circuits it never felt uncomfortable, why would it?

That sounds like a complete design failure. A kitchen primarily requires task lighting, which cannot be achieved effectively with spotlights, no matter how evenly distributed they are.
In the bathroom, yes, spotlights make sense, and in the closet as well. But a typical shower/toilet room can be adequately lit with a vanity light (which is also task lighting at head height). Spotlights are not necessary there.
There is significant potential to reduce the number of fixtures if you think it through and consult professionals who are not just trying to sell something.
As for taste — I don't even want to start on drilling holes all over the ceiling.

Maybe you could share your plans here? You might get some tips on better layout and distribution. @Abzug86

@ypg what’s the best type of lighting to use in the kitchen? Are pendant lights really that much better? To me, they seem more suited for the dining area.

We have planned 5 recessed downlights in an L-shape in the kitchen, along the tall cabinet side as well as the counter side, and two pendant lights above the island.

Shiny86 schrieb:

@ypg what is the best lighting to use in the kitchen? Are pendant lights really that much better? To me, they seem more suitable for the dining room.

That really depends on the kitchen layout. Beautiful pendant lights can look great over a kitchen island, especially if you think of the American kitchen style.
The number of recessed lights will also depend on the kitchen design. If you have many wall cabinets with lights underneath, you might need fewer recessed lights, and so on.