Thinking about installing recessed lights?

Today, my topic is about lighting, recessed lighting. And my notions about electricity are less than basic. I'm trying to learn as much as I can while updating my home. 

As I usually say, I am far from an expert; I just want to share the experience we had installing recessed lighting in our kitchen.

So, here I go --->

The picture below shows the lights we started with: one fluorescent fixture in the middle of the kitchen, right on top of the island; one pendant light above the kitchen table; and one recessed light fixture above the sink.   

*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

My lighting plan was this simple one:

1. Install four recessed lights. Connecting them to the same circuit as the recessed light above the sink.
2. Change the fluorescent fixture for a pendant one.
3. Move the fixture above the kitchen table farther away from the fluorescent one (this was necessary because we were adding a side shelf to the kitchen island), and update the fixture.

Not too many things, right?! 

Well, let me tell you, those three things gave us a whole lot of work! I now understand why electricians charge those fees. There are obstacles along the way that, with their experience, they can easily foresee and fix way faster than we as DIYers can.

Our most important source of information at this point was this great article:

How to Install Recessed Lighting for Dramatic Effect

by The Family Handyman

A very detailed article for DIYers who know the basics of connecting wires and installing electrical boxes (I really don't know much about this, but the hubby does). 😉 

 
We got our own copies to study all the steps they show, with well-explained pictures. This is a keeper.

Some of the content you'll find there is: How to draw a lighting plan, how to find the circuit to provide power, and how to fish the cables.

We began tackling the recessed lights, but our first stumbling block was right there, even before we started.

The circuit we were thinking of for connecting the recessed lights was completely FULL! We found that out by mapping the circuits and indexing the service panel. You can read how to do that HERE.

We had to fish the cable from an electrical box on the opposite wall from the kitchen sink, which meant it had to be run through the unfinished basement and up this wall.

Then we daisy-chained the fixtures.

The blue tape marks the ceiling joints and stud locations.

Similar - 6" Aluminum Recessed IC Remodel Housing

We installed 5-in remodel housings (this type of fixture is designed to be installed from the bottom up when you have no access from above), and IC (for insulated ceilings).

With the corresponding 5-in trim.

Recessed Trim

One of the hardest and most awkward parts of the installation was working around the ceiling joists. There were places where they were attached together (side by side),  making it hard to drill the holes to pass the cable.

We found out after making the drawings for the ceiling openings that we couldn't install one of the lights in that position because the joists were way too close. That made us move the other lights, since they all had to be aligned.

Having a right-angle drill attachment plus a pretty long drill bit to drill the holes in the joists is indispensable.

The size of the holes and where they need to be drilled into the joist are information you will find in the Family Handyman article above.

Something that gave us a good headache after connecting the electrical was placing the housings flush to the ceiling. Those little legs were crumbling the Sheetrock. As good rookies, we didn't know that you have to spread them apart to make them fit properly. Just to get that answer, we had to make a trip to our closest Home Depot.

Changing the light fixtures above the island and kitchen table was not that big of a problem.

Moving the pendant light meant we had to go through the ceiling joists again.  A lot of Sheetrock repair afterward.

This next link is a DIY Network video with Amy Matthews on how to make that kind of repair.

Ceiling Holes Diy.

If you are interested in installing recessed lights and you have open space above them (like an attic), you can install them from there. This DIY Network link with Paul Ryan shows you how.

Install Recess Lighting Diy.

6 in. Aluminum Recessed IC New Construction  Airtight Housing

One of the most difficult parts of recessed lighting is deciding which fixture you need for your space. This next link gives you a peek at the many possibilities at your disposal.

Understanding and Choosing Recessed Lighting

By Home Style Choices 

We did it! 

We stayed within budget because we did it ourselves. It wasn't that easy, but it's definitely something you can DIY if you gather the right information and put some elbow grease into it.

The best part is the end result and the experience you gain along the way.

Firefly Pendant Light  |  Eden White Pendant Light  |  Roman Shade

Have you installed recessed lights as a DIY project?  

Do you have any piece of advice?



                                                         -/-/-/-/



For more about this DIY Kitchen, check these out:

Kitchen Reveal

Above Fridge Tray Divider

How to Install a Marble Backsplash

More KITCHEN Projects here:

• Update the kitchen island
• Build a fridge enclosure
• Build a range hood
• Close the space above the kitchen cabinets
• Add moldings to your kitchen cabinets
• How to paint the cabinets
• Kitchen cost breakdown
• 1 ½ Years Later - How the Kitchen is Holding up
• Built-in Plate Rack
• Pull Out Shelves in the Pantry
• LG Appliances Review and Complaint

*This post contains affiliate links.