The basic canister-shaped recessed lighting fixture,
often called a "can light", is the same for both down lights and eyeball
lights. The cylindrical can channels all the light downward, but you can
dramatically alter the pattern the light throws in two ways: by choosing
a different trim to aim, reflect, or diffuse light, or by replacing the
light bulb inside with one of a different shape or color. Some trims for
built-in ceiling lights have a glass diffuser that hides the bulb, other allow
the bulb to remain visible. "Eyeball" fixtures designed to aim the light
directly on the painting or sculpture, and swivel to the exact position
desired. A type of built-in lighting called a "wall washer" blocks a
portion of the light to throw a shadow, a dramatic technique that is
especially effective if you wish to accent the texture of a stone or
brick wall. Recessed lights whose trim is flushed with the ceiling
provide more overall lighting than those with an eyeball or wall-washer
trim. Most of this fixtures require light bulbs of no more than 75
watts, but you can use a spotlight, a mini-spot, a regular incandescent,
or a halogen bulb. Try a silver- or gold-color trim for maximum light,
or a black baffle trim for subdued mood lighting.
A basic built-in recessed fixture with standard
reflector trim throws light downward in a cone shape, producing a circle
of light at the bottom s wide as the room is high. In the room with
8-foot ceilings, place the fixture in a grid from 6 to 8 feet apart (
and never closer than 4) so the light slightly overlaps. In a room with
10-foot ceilings, place the lights about 7 to 10 feet apart. If you use
a diffuser on a recessed light, you need a bulb with twice as much
wattage to provide the same light as a bare bulb, but the light
will appear softer.