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In an average-sized room (10'x10') with no overhead lighting, a plastered ceiling (regular 7' height flat ceiling), and no attic/ceiling access from above, what would be the cheapest option for installing fixed lighting?
Installing in the ceiling naturally would be an expensive production, and wall lighting would be arguably cheaper/easier to install. However to get an adequate amount of light from wall fixtures one would probably have to install quite a lot of them and since sconces cost quite a bit more than recessed can lights I'm wondering if it would be the same or even cheaper to go with recessed lights?
My priorities here are inexpensive installation (yet safe - we're calling an electrician) and lots of light - I'm not fussed about "mood lighting", I just want to be able to flick a wall switch and be able to see without squinting.
10'x10' needs 4 recessed cans.
If youre hiring an electrician, work on a fixed price while you buy the items yourself.
4 recessed cans at 6 each, 4 br30 bulbs and some 14-2 nm-b(50ft? Not sure why that many but you can have a lot less).
Wall sconces will be difficult as light projection will not be as efficient.
You can install hanging light fixtures that offset an inch off the ceiling but if your ceiling is low, you will have a sense of an even lower ceiling height. But you can do one light fixture instead of 4 and a regular bulb.
You can get integrated style LED illumination for about $40 Recessed LED Retrofit or just get $15 baffles and use regualr bulbs
I don't recommend ordering this stuff without being sure that that electrician is comfortable with you doing so, just thought it would be helpful to understand what will be needed...
We didn't use attic access to install any of our lighting. We did recessed in our bedroom and track in our kitchen. Track lighting would be the cheapest to install because it only requires one hole in the ceiling for an entire track. It's just a matter of running the wire up the wall and across the ceiling. Multiple small holes are put in the wall and ceiling, which need to be repaired afterwards. That's why track lighting would be cheaper. It's less wire, less holes, less everything. We do all this work ourselves. It just takes a couple of hours. You could save money on the installation (if you hire an electrician) by repairing the wall and ceiling yourself.
You can get integrated style LED illumination for about $40 Recessed LED Retrofit or just get $15 baffles and use regualr bulbs
I don't recommend ordering this stuff without being sure that that electrician is comfortable with you doing so, just thought it would be helpful to understand what will be needed...
Just get BR30 Cree LED bulbs for $10 a pop from HD and buy a br30 trim from the internet at 3 a piece.
Total cost = 15 after shipping.
Those recessed led trim kits are a pain. I installed 3 and because they are recessed into the can, you will get shadows.
Those recessed led trim kits are a pain. I installed 3 and because they are recessed into the can, you will get shadows.
That's true. Our kitchen is brighter with tract lighting than our bedroom with recessed lighting.
Thank goodness it's not the other way around because I need to see in the kitchen!
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