Recessed Lights

How far out from my cooktop or wall should my recessed lighting center be placed.

I'm planning on 3' from the wall. My thinking is hat any further out would cast a shadow on my counter top when we use it.

Thoughts?

MC,
That is too far. The center of the can should be 26 inches from the wall.

I'm wanting to do the small 4" recessed lights in my kitchen that's about 12 x 12 or so. I'm going to do a fixture in the center that has 2 e-100 bulbs. How many cans do I need so that I have plenty of light?

Yes 26". I was told 18" I figured that wasn't enough and set mine at 19" on center. This was too close too. I should have gone minimum 24". If you have crown molding that increases your total cabinet to wall from 10 or 12" to 15"or more. My cabinets cast a shadow onto the counter top under the cabinet and they also don't shed the best light into the cabinet's interior.

I installed about a dozen of these smaller halogen recessed fixtures in my basement. The style of fixture has the bulb set in a "clamp" that is part of the trim ring assembly. For some reason, three of trim/bulb assemblies will not snap into place into the can, so they are just hanging there. Have you heard of this problem before? Is it common? And most importantly, do you have any clues on how to fix it? Thanks.

My boyfriend installed (6) 7 5/16" round canned recess lighting in his kitchen and the round cylinder mount is not flushed to the ceiling. Is there a way to correct this problem.

The smaller halogen lights, I noticed that some of them run very hot, they sort of heat up the room. I was told this was due to the volts?. I like the look of the smaller halogen lights, but don;t want the heat. Is there something I am missing? do all halogen light run really hot?. I have a 13x13 kitchen and am wondering howmany recessed lights I need. I picked up some "regular" recessed light cans a total of 6. I just noticed that they are only 65 watts. How many 65 watt cans/lights to light up my kitchen. thanks! Peggy

Peggy, you should only need four lights in a square pattern for your size kitchen, unless you want to add another one over the sink. This may be advisable if your sink is in the corner. I would put the light over the sink on it's own switch.

I tore down the giant 70's light box in the kitchen of my new house. It covered about 4' by 8' and about 12" raised into the ceiling. the kitchen itself is about 6'X 12'. I want to use recessed lighting only in the raised area. There is a can light directly about the sink but nothing else. What type of can lights would give me the maximum amount of light if I put in 6 lights?

I am trying to figure out a number of recessed lights (4") for my kitchen. The size is about 20'x13'.
I learcned from above comments that the distance from the wall should be 26". What about the distance between lights? Thank you

I'm renovating a small galley kitchen (it's about 8' x 7') and installing two recessed ceiling lights. We bought two 5" housings for the lights, but they only take a maximum of 50 watts each. Is this enough overhead light for the space? Thanks!

hello mister builder i have a old light fixture and it has 2 wires a blck one,and a white one,i bought a recessed light small one and this light fixture has 2 white wires and one green wire that is for ground. question is i tried too conected but no luck no good at electrical ?how do i conected?

Nataliya, I would guess at least 6 4" lights.. I would even go with larger lights. I would also add a 3" halogen spot or two over stuff like the kitchen sink.

When you guys mention 26" from the wall, would that be from the actual wall or the cabinets? My walls are surrounded by cabinets. How many lights would I need for a 15x8 room? What about a family room 18x18? How far do you space the lights? Should they also be 26" from the wall? Thanks!