When it comes to lighting your home, there are a lot of options out there.
But when you’re looking for the perfect way to brighten up a room without taking away from the design you already have in place, recessed lighting may not be what you had in mind.
Sure, they provide soft light and even illumination – but they also take up valuable space and are more expensive than other light fixtures.
So what alternatives should you consider if your aesthetic doesn’t call for recessed lighting?
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite contemporary solutions that deliver on style and efficiency – read on to learn more about them.
The Best Alternatives to Recessed Light
Recessed light is a light fixture installed inside your ceiling instead of outside.
It has several benefits to it, including the ability to:
- Be easily combined with other lighting types to create a variety of different effects;
- Provide more light than traditional lighting options – creating a brighter room and reducing the amount you will need to pay for your electricity bill;
- Deliver a clean look that many homeowners like, which is also easy to match with any décor or design style in your home;
- And lastly, it can be installed in various spaces for various purposes–whether within your kitchen to help you cook or above your bathroom vanity so you can get ready every morning.
The best way to install recessed light is by first measuring the area you want to frame your lights within and then cutting out the necessary pieces of drywall.
After that, mark the location where you’d like your light fixture and then attach it so that it’s flush against the ceiling.
It couldn’t be simpler – as a result, you can have beautifully illuminated spaces throughout your home.
The numerous advantages of recessed light making it the perfect choice for a wide variety of spaces in your home.
Whether you want to brighten up your kitchen while cooking dinner or provide better lighting above your vanity in the bathroom every morning, recessed light is an excellent choice that can transform even the simplest of rooms into something spectacular.
Regarding disadvantages, one thing to remember is that recessed light will take up a bit more space in your ceiling compared to alternatives like table lamps or sconces, so make sure you have the room available before installing it.
However, if you decide on recessed lighting for whatever reason, rest assured, knowing that it can help create a stunning look and feel throughout your space.
On the other hand, if you feel like this option isn’t the right choice, you should explore some pretty good, recessed light alternatives.
1. Track lights
There are many benefits to using track lights as an alternative to recessed lights.
For one, they are brighter than most other lighting options available.
They also cost much less than similar recessed lighting, making them a more affordable option for homeowners.
Moreover, they can be easily adjusted, allowing you to control the direction of light in any room.
Track lights are a significant investment and should be considered if you’re considering changing the lighting in your home or office space.
Track lights have been gaining popularity for several years because of their convenience and versatility.
Compared to traditional ceiling spotlights or recessed lighting, track lights offer brighter illumination at a lower price point.
Thanks to their adjustable design, these lights can be directed exactly where you need them, making them the perfect option for large rooms with multiple areas that need to be lit up.
Whether you want your light shining directly onto artwork or a specific area in your living room, these special lights make it easy to control the direction of light without having to worry about installing new fixtures or purchasing additional bulbs.
These special lights have become increasingly popular for commercial use in larger buildings like office complexes or shopping malls.
Track lights are a great option if you want bright, customizable lighting without spending lots of money.
Whether you’re remodeling your home or simply looking for an affordable alternative to recessed lighting, investing in track lights is sure to be worth your while.
2. Disc lights
Looking for a new lighting solution for your home?
Consider using LED disc lights.
These are an alternative to recessed light, providing direct and indirect illumination from discs that sit flush against the ceiling or wall.
Unlike recessed lights, they don’t require boxes or built-in structures (which means they can be easily installed later).
This makes them suitable for renovation projects as well as new construction.
In addition to their easy installation process, another advantage of LED disc lights is energy efficiency.
They typically use much less electricity than other lighting options and last much longer.
And because they produce directional light rather than diffused light like most other bulbs, they provide excellent task lighting while maintaining even illumination throughout the room.
Some LED disc lights are dimmable, making them an excellent choice for different lighting needs.
3. Tube lights
Tube lights are an excellent alternative to recessed lighting, especially in rooms with high ceilings.
They offer several benefits over traditional recessed light fixtures.
For one, tube lights take up much less space than other lighting fixtures.
This makes them ideal for large spaces where you want to maximize the usable floor or ceiling area.
Additionally, tube lights are more energy efficient than points of light.
Therefore, they help you save money on your monthly energy bills while providing optimal lighting in any room of your home or office.
Another benefit of tube lights is their flexibility.
They can be placed directly within a wall (whether drywall or plaster) without cutting an opening for them to sit in.
This allows you to design your lighting plan without worrying about bulky or obtrusive fixtures.
Finally, tube lights are much easier to install than other types of lighting.
They can be connected using a plug-in system, whereas traditional recessed fixtures require complicated wiring and installation procedures.
4. Pendant lights
If you’re looking for an alternative to recessed lighting, pendant lights can be a great option.
Pendant lights are typically suspended from the ceiling or a tall wall and are installed individually or in clusters.
They come in many different shapes and sizes, with different types of bulbs and with various mounting options.
The main benefit of pendant lights is that they offer a lot more variety in terms of style and design.
They are also less intrusive than recessed lighting, so if you have an open-concept layout or an older home with ceiling beams, these fixtures may be a better choice.
Keep in mind that pendants need to be at least 7 feet above the main activity areas, so installing them in a room with high ceilings will take up more visual space.
Recessed lighting may be a better choice for your home if you have a lower ceiling or lots of wall-mounted furniture that extends up close to the ceiling.
Pendants are great if you want to add extra light and style to your home, but they may not be the best choice for every space.
Research and choose fixtures that will work well with your existing decor.
5. Ceiling spotlights
When it comes to lighting your home, many convenient options are available.
One such option is ceiling spotlights, which can be an excellent alternative to recessed lighting.
Ceiling spotlights are an excellent choice for many reasons.
First, they provide direct light that can illuminate specific areas of the room in a targeted and focused way.
This makes them ideal for areas where you need light to be directed at a specific point, such as over the dining room table or in the living room.
In addition, ceiling spotlights are easy and convenient to install.
They work well with almost any lighting fixture and can easily be added to an existing system without too much trouble.
And, since they are installed on the ceiling rather than in the wall, ceiling spotlights do not take up any valuable space and won’t interfere with furniture placement.
Overall, ceiling spotlights may be a perfect choice if you are looking for a cost-effective and convenient way to light your home.
How to choose a recessed light alternative
When it comes to finding a replacement for recessed light, aside from your budget, it is essential to consider the interior aesthetics of your home and the type of lighting you’re going for.
If you’d like the light to be directed to certain areas of your home, ceiling spotlights and track lights may offer the best light direction from all the options we’ve discussed.
Disc and tube lights are highly versatile and energy-efficient, whereas pendant lights are stylish and elegant but can only be installed on high ceilings.
David Kessler is a CSLB licensed contractor with over 25 years of experience. He is specialized in home building, construction, and electrical works; he also has a keen eye for interior design and, over the years, has collaborated with various architects.
