Pot light spacing for basement

Part of the deciding factor would be tied to what you intend to use the space for.

2 rows of 4 and go with larger cans

That sounds about the same size as ours. We went with two rows of three, each row on a dimmer. They are 6" illume LED's and with both rows on full, it's too bright.

I'd use 4" slim pot lights so you can put them wherever necessary and not worry about any spacing problems. I'd incorporate the space of the duct so you can have the room nicely and evenly lit. So stick with the 14' x 20'.

For spacing I'd recommend that you do 2 rows of 4. Across the 14' span space your 2 rows 3-1/2' off each wall. For the 20' span start at 2-1/2' from the wall and space your lights 5' center to center. Put the lights on a dimmer and you'll likely always dim these lights and never use them at full brightness. However you'll have a room that is evenly lit and help to keep shadows to a minimum.

I'd do two rows of five, use 4-inch wide angled slim line integrated LED potlights, and I'd put them on a dimmer because they'll be too bright without it.

Thanks all for the replies - I didn’t get notifications so missed them all! Contractor is putting in 3 rows of 2, 4” lights. Hopefully ok.

I am adding a daybed to one wall, so the room will shrink by about 18”.

MT

2 rows of 3 installed. Plenty bright. Wires were crossed (not literally) and lights are 5000k which is very white. They will be on dimmers. Don’t know if this is a good mistake or a bad one.

mikefly wrote: ↑

Feb 20th, 2019 6:45 pm

2 rows of 3 installed. Plenty bright. Wires were crossed (not literally) and lights are 5000k which is very white. They will be on dimmers. Don’t know if this is a good mistake or a bad one.

The 5000k is something you may regret depending on the type of room this is. 5000k is good for utilitarian type rooms like a laundry room, furnace/utility room, washrooms, etc but not something most people like for family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, etc. Is the colour temperature what you meany by "don't know if this is a good mistake or a bad one" ?

As well, what do you mean by "wires were crossed"?

ChicoQuente wrote: ↑

Feb 20th, 2019 7:01 pm

The 5000k is something you may regret depending on the type of room this is. 5000k is good for utilitarian type rooms like a laundry room, furnace/utility room, washrooms, etc but not something most people like for family rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, etc. Is the colour temperature what you meany by "don't know if this is a good mistake or a bad one" ?

As well, what do you mean by "wires were crossed"?

Mostly used for kids playing, guest bed, movie screen.

Wires crossed = I texted warm light to contractor but he didn’t pass on the message, and 5000k was installed (also planned for 4 pot, 50 sqf bathroom, but not yet installed)

mikefly wrote: ↑

Feb 20th, 2019 7:06 pm

Mostly used for kids playing, guest bed, movie screen.

Wires crossed = I texted warm light to contractor but he didn’t pass on the message, and 5000k was installed (also planned for 4 pot, 50 sqf bathroom, but not yet installed)

The four pots in the bath will be fine. 5000K is good as well, IMHO. My bath has exactly that, and is the same size. Don't forget you still need vanity lighting though.