Thoughts on Recessed Lighting
We’re in the middle of doing a partial gut renovation and I suggested that we do recessed lighting in almost all rooms, as that seems to be the way to update lighting. My wife says no to the lighting, and says that a ceiling fan with light is all we need. To me, recessed lighting…
We’re in the middle of doing a partial gut renovation and I suggested that we do recessed lighting in almost all rooms, as that seems to be the way to update lighting. My wife says no to the lighting, and says that a ceiling fan with light is all we need. To me, recessed lighting looks clean, neat, and makes the ceiling look higher. Plus it would be a great selling point later down the line if we decide to sell. I hate thinking that we’re doing a gut reno and putting back the simple lighting that was done 100 years ago in the house. Any thoughts?
This is probably the wrong blog to tout recessed lighting. Most period homes look better with period fixtures. Yes, you need more that one ceiling fixture but lamps are the best option. I do not consider recessed lighting a selling point, I put it up there with knotty pine panelling and formica countertops.
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Home Lighting
I don’t like dark spaces. The gloomy Victorian vibe is not for me; brownstones are naturally dark, since most have light from front and back and no natural light from the sides, to state the obvious. It was extremely important to me to have lots of light in my place. In the double parlor I have two nice chandeliers which work well with another hanging fixture in an alcove. Downstairs where I have the kitchen, dining room, hallway and bedroom, I have a lot of wattage in the kitchen and that is recessed lighting. The rest of the downstairs I have Center ceiling fixtures. I think you need a lot of light in a kitchen – you need to see what you are doing and recessed lighting is very good for that. But in other spaces I prefer center ceiling fixtures. I also hate ceiling fans. I think they look so awful; I don’t know if the increased air circulation offsets the spinning propeller look.
Basements and garden levels definitely should have recessed lighting IMO whether you’re staying “period” or not. It’s not just a ceiling-height issue but it brightens a room that’s always shadowy thus somewhat depressing even when it’s relatively well lit by windows.
I also like it even in parlors when there’s a big space that’s not adequately lit by sconces or lamps and isn’t right for a chandelier. We have a spot like that and when we do the next round of renovations in a few years I want some recessed lights on a dimmer there. I’d like to add the lights now but there’s a whole thing to do with the ceiling so we have to put it off a while. I need to brighten a shadowy section in the middle of an open space in the parlor where we plan to have our son’s play area. So if you have a spot like that in your house you think you’ll use for children’s play, or future owners would, it may be worth it to add recessed lights overhead. People live lives in these houses so the decor must be functional not just faithful to the period. The lights don’t have to be huge and they don’t always have to be turned on just because they’re installed.
Would be very nervous about recessed lighting and updating–it’s the kind of thing that will go out of fashion, and which turns off a segment of buyers. And it’s expensive.
In general, I’d think going with classic fixtures–wall sconces, ceiling lights, etc–is the smart bet. Using fixtures that are modern (ie, don’t turn the gaslights back on) but consistent with the turn of the century “look” of the house is probably the safest thing to do. There’s a danger of doing something that screams “2000” and then trying to sell in 2020, when something else is fashionable.
That said, if you’re staying a long time, do what YOU like. It’s your home.
Recessed lighting, hunh? You sure you wouldn’t prefer track lights? To go with your granite countertops and stainless steel appliances?
mmmm… taste-y….
Okay so here is what WE decided on together. In the bedrooms there will be both recessed and a center fixture on ceiling. Both will be controlled on different switches, and all will have the ability to dim. Hall will have it also, as well as kitchen. Our parlor and dining room will NOT have it. The basement since it’s only about 8 feet high will have the recessed lighting. The bedroom will also have night lamps on both corner tables. Even though I said that bedrooms will have recessed lighting there is a very slight chance that me may toss out that idea since we will have table lamps.
I vote with no recessed in parlors, dining rooms, bedrooms for a house with detail – i.e. not a gut, but OK in kitchen, hall, bathroom.
“Wall scones are a classic feature and again if not too many, work well.”
the raisins get hot though in wall scones
“Recessed lighting is inappropriate in an old house”
generalizations are generally true, especially when it comes to taste