Electrical - AC & DC - install recessed lighting to shine on fireplace area - situation: moved into house, removed all wall heaters...in the living room, installed 1 receptacle (for fishtank) 8' ceiling lights should be placed two feet away from the wall. The formula for spacing recessed lights is the distance between the lights is always double what it is at the ends. Here’s the formula for proper recessed lighting spacing: The distance between the lights is always double what it is at the ends. For example, you can set your general lighting on a dimmer, switch off your task lighting, and let your accent lighting highlight your artwork or fireplace. The closer together the fixtures are, the more uniform the illumination of the wall will be. In this post, I’ll explain how to manually calculate the placement for your lights, and then give you a calculator that does it all for you!. After you plan your recessed lighting layout, you must calculate recessed lighting spacing to ensure effective light distribution all over the destined area. The distance between each recessed downlight should match the distance from the downlights to the wall. When lighting a three-dimensional object such as a fireplace, sculpture, or flower arrangement with recessed lighting, it is more effective to light it from two or three different angles. Here the can light is recessed into the small ceiling above the fireplace -- known as a soffit -- so the light can illuminate the stone. The spacing of wall wash fixtures is critical to achieving the effect. Having gimbal recessed lighting above a fireplace allows you to throw accent lighting on the mantle to show off those family pictures or even just the amazing stone work of the fireplace. For accent lighting, space recessed or track fixtures so Recessed lighting placement in the ceiling is calculated based on the surface, object, or area to be illuminated.. Spacing from the first row of lights to the wall is half this distance. Although the formula above is a fairly simple concept, it’s important to understand because it’s the key to great lighting. Ie. Electrical - AC & DC - install recessed lighting to shine on fireplace area - situation: moved into house, removed all wall heaters...in the living room, installed 1 receptacle (for fishtank) The Formula Explained. Step 2: Divide this distance by 4 to obtain the distance from the wall to the first light unit. The final component of wall washing is to make sure you use wall wash downlights. Typical spacing for ambient lighting with recessed lights is 6 to 7 1/2 feet for an 8-foot ceiling, or 7 to 8 1/2 feet for a 9-foot ceiling. Constantly remember that recessed lighting placement lead to improving the total view or arrives at the view look disoriented.