Choosing between using recessed lighting or ceiling lights can be a challenge. When making your decision, it is important to understand the differences between the two sources.

General ceiling lights typically use incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs. There are a large variety of styles, shapes and colors of ceiling lights which allows the light to become a decorative element of the room. These ceiling lights provide good lighting and come typically come in flush mounts or semi flush mounts. In a smaller room, often times a single fixture will provide sufficient lighting for the entire room. In cases where a single ceiling light or a few at most won’t provide sufficient lighting, it’s best to utilize recessed lighting to avoid clutter.

Recessed lighting is a great source to illuminate a room with a minimalistic approach that avoids clutter. Recessed lights are great options in situations with low ceilings as they do not protrude down from the ceiling. Sometimes hanging fixtures (even flush mounts) in a room with low ceilings makes the room seem even smaller. By utilizing low voltage recessed lights that use MR16 bulbs with various beam spreads, the light can be controlled in room much better than with traditional ceiling lights. With the combination of the low voltage bulbs and adjustable trims on the recessed cans, it is much easier to illuminate a room.

The bottom line is that using multiple ceiling lights will seem cluttered and recessed cans will be simple and clean, so it comes down to a decision as to whether the particular space is more in need of some decorative lighting or some simple clutter free lighting!