4-inch and 6-inch recessed lighting are among the most popular choices for home and office lighting. They offer a variety of benefits, including energy efficiency, convenience, and style. However, it can be difficult to decide which type of recessed lighting is right for your needs.
In this blog post, we will compare 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lighting to help you make the best decision for your home or office.
3 Myths About Recessed Lighting (4-Inch vs. 6-Inch)
#1. 4-inch lights are insufficiently bright, only 6-inch bulbs should be used for general illumination.
A minimum of 600 lumens is recommended for basic lighting fixtures. Previously, 4-inch fixtures with R20 or MR16 incandescent light bulbs seldom produced that many lumens. Most 4-inch LED recessed lights now meet or exceed this criterion, thanks to advancements in LED technology.
#2. For general lighting, 4-inch recessed lights are insufficient.
The spread or dispersal of light is determined by the lens’s beam angle, not the size of the recessed light. In the figure above, a 4-inch and 6-inch open light with the same beam angle are compared. Make a mental note of where the light cone begins at the top of the wall. There isn’t much of a difference (if any) between the two sizes.
#3. Throughout your home, you should always utilize the same size.
While style should remain consistent, size and type should be chosen on a case-by-case basis. It’s quite permissible to mix 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lights in the same room.
What’s the Difference Between 4-Inch and 6-Inch Recessed Lighting?
When building or upgrading your house, you’ll want to make sure it’s well lit. Finding the appropriate light, on the other hand, isn’t that simple; you’ll need to talk with your architect to develop the greatest lighting system that will cover the majority of your home. Though time and technology change, the usual approach is to hang lights from a cord or put them on a lampshade/stand.
In terms of interior design, both 4 and 6-inch recessed lights have benefits worth mentioning. Consider the following advantages and disadvantages:
- 4-inches lights will be less expensive and more energy-efficient. – Size does matter when it comes to cost. They will be less costly since they take less material to create. Smaller lights also consume less electricity, making them more energy-efficient.
- The industrial norm is 6-inch lights. 6-inch lights are ideal for most regular-sized rooms, and most contractors like them since they are easier to locate. They look more proportional in larger environments. Furthermore, builders will not need as many of them to get the same level of light dispersion.
- Small spaces appear larger when lit with 4-inch lights. When most people think of recessed lighting, they think of 6-inch recessed lighting. The issue is that using 6-inch lights in a tiny space makes the walls appear tight and out of scale. While keeping a spaced-out look, 4-inch lights prevent this.
- 6 inches lights are more effective. 6-inches is the size to look for if you want a light that can effectively illuminate everything. 4-inch lights are ideal for highlighting surfaces or lighting up small closets.
4-Inch Recessed Lighting
There are a number of advantages to using 4-inch recessed lighting. For many individuals, this is why it is the most preferred option. Here are a few advantages of employing 4-inch recessed lights.
Smaller spaces are ideal.
There’s no need to install a larger recessed light when you can receive the same amount of light with the 4-inch option. Above the kitchen sink, next to places, or on top of your plant, 4-inch recessed lighting is great. It not only creates a focal light, but it also strongly lights the area in which it is mounted. As a result, if you need to clean your cookware, you’ll be able to clean it, see it clearly, and make sure it shines.
Installing 4-inch recessed lighting may be a worthwhile investment since it allows you to display your artwork, décor items, or gorgeous surfaces. If you have crafts or reading room in your home, 4-inch recessed lighting is ideal since it allows you to focus on even the slightest details.
It’s best to apply it on the margins of rooms.
Whenever you glance around most homes, you’ll realize that the majority of them lack enough illumination. For example, the room’s periphery may be too dark or too light, while the center may have too much or too little power. In general, greater lighting is required in the center of the room, as opposed to the room boundaries, because this is where the majority of activities occur.
As a consequence, adding 4-inch recessed lighting along the room’s perimeter will help you keep the house properly lit while reducing energy usage. Larger alternatives can be placed in the center of the room to give a concentrated light source.
Cost-Effective
Recessed lighting with a 4-inch diameter is both smaller and less expensive. Furthermore, they are typically put in locations that do not require a lot of light. As a result, you won’t have to spend a lot of money on your power bill. You’ll be able to save a lot of money because you may buy them in modest quantities. One or two of these may be sufficient for illuminating a small space.
Illuminates Dark Areas
Do you have a dimly lit room in your home? Your home may be bright again when you install a 4-inch recessed lighting fixture on the wall. Avoid stumbling in a dark environment, such as a dark tiled bathroom, stained wood cabinetry, or pantries.
Unlike other light sources that are overly bright, 4-inch recessed lighting allows you to see effectively in dimly lit places without becoming dazzled. Using this size of recessed lighting has the added benefit of being both cost and energy-efficient.
Conserving Energy
The power rating should be one of your main concerns when purchasing recessed lights. You may save a lot of money on your power costs if you do this. When you utilize a large number of them, you can power your entire house without using a lot of energy. Recessed lights using LED technology might help you save even more money.
Conserve Space
When utilizing 6-inch or normal lights, you’ll see that they take up a lot of room to install. 4-inch recessed lighting, on the other hand, is suitable for homes with limited ceiling space. Furthermore, unlike ordinary lighting, most wires are left hanging on the ceiling or wall, making it seem nicer.
Boost The Value Of Your Home
One incentive to add recessed lighting is that it might increase the value of your property. If you’re looking to boost the value of your house, investing in high-quality alternatives that complement your design might be a good idea. Lenders or purchasers will always determine the value of your house in this manner, allowing you to rank high and obtain a better loan.
6-Inch Recessed Lighting
Ideal For Heavy-Duty Purposes
6-inch recessed lighting has a bigger diameter and is perfect for illuminating large rooms. It lights a vast area, ensuring that your home receives all of the necessary light. It’s ideal for use in dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and other locations where a lot of light is required. 6-inch recessed lighting has also proven to be handy if your space has a high ceiling or a wide roof.
Effective Lighting
The lighting is substantial; it is largely situated overhead, allowing it to distribute light evenly around the space. It might be quite useful when you require dark or stronger light since you can change the brightness to fit your needs. Your room will also appear more bright with overhead lighting, which is another option to decorate your home.
Light Control
Is it possible to turn off or adjust the light in your bedroom? These are some of the characteristics that can only be found in recessed lighting with greater diameters since these cans have adequate room for them. In addition, you have the option of controlling the brightness or directing the light to a specific location.
Cost-Effective
The capacity to spread light over a larger area is the key reason we claim these lights are also cost-effective. In a smaller space, you might not even need two; one will be enough. As a result, you won’t need to buy as much and will save money.
Read More ~~ Best Lighting Guide: Pick the Right Fixture For Every Room
Which is Best?
When faced with the decision between 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lighting, there are a few considerations to make. These considerations will assist you in determining whether you require a 4-inch or 6-inch choice.
To decide between 4-inch and 6-inch lights for space, first figure out which lighting layers it requires: general, task, and/or accent lighting. Then, for each layer, make a different plan.
A decision tree has been provided by a Recessed Lighting Company that will walk you through recommendations based on your room.
Purposes
The main reasons for acquiring these lighting options may impact the kind and size that is selected. If the room is accessible, you may utilize any of them to design your home, for example. Use the bigger selection to brighten a larger room.
Decor Goals
The dilemma of whether to buy 4-inch or 6-inch recessed lighting arises because every property is different. You may use 4-inch recessed lighting to highlight a piece of art on your wall or focus light on a specific area of your wall.
Location
The position of the lights is quite important when choosing recessed lighting sizes. Recessed lighting with a greater diameter may be beneficial in bigger settings. Installing 6-inch recessed lights in a distant place, on the other hand, is difficult since they would not fit.
Conclusion
Comparing 4-inch vs. 6-inch recessed lighting is a wonderful alternative if you want to improve the aesthetic of your home. Based on the characteristics listed above, you should be able to choose between the two options. In general, 4-inch recessed lights and 6-inch recessed lights are very similar. The size of the container and the diameter of the lighted zone beneath the light source are the most important differences. Both variants can even be used in the same room.
When you’re not certain which lighting size is best for you, the easiest way to decide is to measure the size of the light to the size of the room. This ensures that the amount of light does not overwhelm your room and gives your entire design a feeling of proportion.
Read More:
- Best Floor Lamps For High Ceilings – Lighting the Entire House
- Recommended Wattage for Outdoor Lighting To Look Their Best
