Why Too Many Can Lights Are Ruining Your Home’s Ambiance (And What to Do Instead)
When it comes to home design, lighting is often an afterthought—but it can make or break the look and feel of your space. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is overloading rooms with recessed can lights, thinking more light automatically means better design. The truth? Too many can lights can create a harsh, uninviting environment that feels more like a hospital corridor than a cozy, welcoming home.
What’s the Problem with Too Many Can Lights?
Flat and Lifeless Lighting: Recessed lighting offers broad, general illumination, but when overused, it creates a flat, uniform glow that lacks depth and character. Without variation, your rooms lose the natural interplay of light and shadow that adds warmth and dimension.
A Harsh, Clinical Feel: While bright overhead lights might be practical for tasks, they’re not ideal for creating a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere. Too many can lights can make your home feel cold and sterile, more like an office or hospital than a living space.
No Visual Focal Points: In well-designed spaces, lighting should highlight key features—like artwork, architectural details, or cozy corners. But when everything is evenly lit by recessed lights, you lose those focal points that draw the eye and create interest.
Unflattering Shadows: Recessed lighting casts downward shadows that can highlight imperfections and create awkward lighting on faces and furniture. Without layered lighting to balance it out, your space might feel disjointed and uninviting.
How Many Recessed Lights Are Too Many? A good rule of thumb is to avoid spacing can lights closer than 4-6 feet apart. Too many can lights create a harsh, flat lighting effect. Instead, mix in floor lamps, sconces, and accent lighting to achieve a more balanced and inviting atmosphere.
How to Light Your Home Without Overdoing It on Can Lights
The good news? You can still achieve beautiful, functional lighting without relying on a grid of recessed fixtures. Here’s how:
Use Layered Lighting for Mood and Function: A well-lit home uses a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a balanced, inviting atmosphere. Ambient lighting provides general illumination but doesn’t have to come from cans. Try ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, or even indirect lighting to add warmth without overpowering the space. Task lighting adds focused light where you need it most, like under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen or reading lamps in the living room. Accent lighting highlights what makes your home unique—use spotlights, pendant lights, or decorative sconces to draw attention to artwork, furniture, or architectural features.
What Is Layered Lighting, and Why Is It Important? Layered lighting combines ambient, task, and accent lighting to create a balanced and inviting space. This approach prevents harsh shadows and adds depth, making your home feel warm and welcoming.
Floor and Table Lamps Add Warmth: Instead of flooding every room with overhead lights, use floor and table lamps to create cozy pools of light. This adds depth and makes the space feel more intimate and thoughtfully designed.
Think Like an Event Designer: Event planners don’t rely solely on overhead lights—they use a combination of lighting, decor, and statement pieces to create an experience. You can apply the same principles at home by using a variety of light sources to control mood and brightness. Decor like mirrors or metallic finishes interacts with light to create shadows and depth. And statement pieces, such as a sculptural chandelier or bold floor lamp, make a room feel unique and carefully curated.
Are Can Lights Outdated? Can lights aren’t necessarily outdated, but relying on them exclusively can lead to a sterile look. Mixing them with decorative fixtures like chandeliers or pendants adds more style and sophistication to your home.
The Solution: Fewer Cans, More Character
When planning your home’s lighting, resist the temptation to install a grid of recessed can lights in every room. Instead, focus on layering different types of lighting, using dimmers to control brightness, and adding decorative fixtures to enhance the mood. Your home should feel warm, inviting, and intentionally designed—not like a brightly lit office. By embracing a more balanced approach to lighting, you’ll create spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
This blog was inspired by a post on X by Hans Lorei - you can watch it here.
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