Recessed lighting is used in modern homes and is fitted in hollows in walls or ceilings. Recessed lighting is noteworthy in that it has a wide range of uses. It’s excellent for brightening up your home, showcasing your unique decorations, or just producing uniform lighting at home.
Most homes can benefit from 6-inch lights, while 4-inch recessed lighting works well in many places. Follow us as we compare 4-inch vs 6-inch recessed lighting, whether the extent of the illumination or the cost.
3 Common Myths About 4-Inch Vs 6-Inch Recessed Lighting
#1. Only 6-inch bulbs should be used for general illumination since 4-inch lights are insufficiently bright.
Fact: For standard lighting fixtures, a minimum of 600 lumens is suggested. Previously, 4-inch fixtures seldom generated that many lumens with R20 or MR16 incandescent light bulbs. However, with advances in LED technology, most 4-inch LED recessed lights now meet or surpass this requirement.
#2. 4-inch recessed lights are insufficient for general lighting.
Fact: The beam angle of the lens, not the size of the recessed light, determines the spread or dispersal of light. The image above compares a 4-inch and a 6-inch open lamp with the same beam angle. Take note of where the cone of light begins at the top of the wall. There is virtually little (if any) difference between the two sizes.
#3. You should always utilize the same size throughout your house.
Fact: Style should be constant, but size and type should be considered on a practical basis. Mixing 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lights in the same area is entirely acceptable.
***Refer to more: Best recessed lighting for basement: Top 7 Expert Picks [2022]
Difference between 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lighting
Both 4 and 6 inch recessed lights offer advantages worth highlighting, particularly in terms of interior design. Take a look at their benefits and drawbacks below:
- 4-inch lights will be less expensive and more energy-efficient. When it comes to cost, size counts. Because they require less material to manufacture, they will be less expensive. Furthermore, smaller lights need less energy to run, making them more energy-efficient.
- 6-inch lights are the industry standard. Most regular-sized rooms benefit from 6-inch lights, and most contractors prefer them since they are easier to find. In larger spaces, they appear more proportionate. Furthermore, builders will not require as many of them to get the same dispersion of light.
- 4-inch lights make tiny spaces appear more prominent. Most people imagine 6-inch recessed lighting when they think about recessed lighting. The problem is that placing 6-inch lights in a small area stops looking proportionate and makes the walls look tight. 4-inch lights avoid this while maintaining a spaced-out appearance.
- Lights with a diameter of 6 inches are more effective. If you want a light that can illuminate everything properly, 6-inches is the size to go for. 4-inch lights are generally excellent for emphasizing surfaces or lighting up tiny closets.
***Refer to more: Top 9 Best LED Lights For Kitchen Ceiling: Top Choices in 2022
4-inch recessed lighting
#1. Best for use on rooms edges
When you look around most houses, you’ll realize that the majority of them lack balanced illumination. For example, the room’s perimeter may be too dark or too bright, and the center may have too much or too little power. In general, the center of the room requires more illumination because it is where most activities occur compared to the room margins.
Consequently, putting 4-inch recessed lighting around the room margins can help you maintain the house well-lit while consuming less energy. Wider choices can be positioned in the center of the room to offer concentrated lighting.
#2. Cost-effective
4-inch recessed lighting is more compact and less expensive. Furthermore, they are typically put in locations that do not require a lot of illumination. As a result, you won’t be spending 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 may be sufficient for illuminating a small space.
#3. Illuminates dark areas
Do you have any gloomy corners in your home? Your home may be bright again if you have wall-mounted 4-inch recessed lighting. Don’t struggle in a dark environment, such as a dark tiled bathroom, stained wood cabinetry, or pantries.
Unlike other overly bright light solutions, 4-inch recessed lighting allows you to see effectively in negative spaces without feeling dazzled. This size of recessed lighting has the added benefit of being both cost-effective and energy-efficient.
#4. Ideal for smaller areas
There is no need to install larger recessed lights when the 4-inch option would provide enough light. 4-inch recessed lighting is perfect for installation over the kitchen sink, tight areas, or on top of plants. It not only produces a focus light, but it also strongly lights the room where it is mounted. So, if you need to clean your cookware, you’ll be able to clean it while seeing it clearly and ensuring it shines.
#5. Energy saving
When purchasing recessed lighting, one of your main concerns should be the power rating. You may save a lot of money on your power costs if you do this. When you utilize many of them, you can power your entire house without using a lot of electricity. Recessed lights using LED technology might help you save even more money.
#6. Wall washing will make your room appear large
Using 4-inch recessed lighting may make your area look larger by washing the walls. The procedure entails using ideal trimmings, such as eyeball trim, which concentrates light on your wall. As a result, it appears to be further away. As a result, it can be the ideal option for smaller spaces since it eliminates the sensation of claustrophobia and instead gives you the flexibility of being in a larger area.
#7. Save on space
When employing 6-inch or standard lights, you’ll see that they require a lot of installation area. However, if you live in a property with limited ceiling space, 4-inch recessed lighting may be suitable. Furthermore, most wires are left dangling on the ceiling or wall, as seen in ordinary lighting, making it seem more likable.
#8. Increase home value
One reason you should install recessed lighting is that it might increase the value of your property. If you want to boost the value of your house, investing in high-quality alternatives that fit your interior décor might be significant. Lenders or purchasers will continually assess the value of your home in this manner so that you may rank high and receive a better loan.
***Refer to more: Top 8 Best Kitchen Lights for Low Ceiling: Expert Picks in 2022
6-inch recessed lighting
#1. Ideal for heavy-duty purposes
6-inch recessed lighting is built with a bigger diameter and is perfect for illuminating large spaces. It lights a vast area, ensuring that your home receives adequate lighting. It’s ideal for use in dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and other locations that require a lot of light. Also, 6-inch recessed lighting has shown to be handy if your space has a high ceiling or a wide roof.
#2. Light control
Can you turn off or regulate the light from your bedroom? These are some characteristics that can only be obtained with bigger diameter recessed lighting cans since these cans have ample area for extra features. You’ve also opted to control the brightness or direct the light to a particular place.
#3. Effective lighting
The lighting is extensive; it is primarily situated overhead, allowing it to distribute light evenly throughout the whole space. Because you can adjust the brightness to fit your needs, it might be pretty helpful when you require dim or intense sunlight. Overhead lighting will also make your area appear more cheery, which is another technique to decorate your home.
#4. Cost-effective
The capacity of these lights to throw light over a larger area is the key reason we believe they are also cost-effective. In a smaller space, you may not need two; one will be enough. As a result, you won’t need to buy as much, and you’ll save money.
4-inch vs 6-inch Recessed Lighting: Which is the best?
#1. Purposes
The important reasons for purchasing these lighting alternatives might influence the type and size to choose. If you need to decorate your house, for example, you may use any of them if the room is available. If you want to brighten a larger space, use the wider choice.
#2. Decor goals
Because every property is different, the question of whether to buy 4-inch or 6-inch recessed lighting arises. If you want to illuminate a piece of art on your wall or focus light on a specific portion of your wall, you may use 4-inch recessed lighting.
#3. Location
When it comes to picking recessed lighting sizes, the location of the lights is quite essential. More expansive spaces may benefit from recessed lighting with a larger diameter. However, installing 6-inch recessed lights in a remote location is impossible since they would not fit.
***Refer to more: Best Lighting For 12 Foot Ceilings: Top 8 Expert Picks 2022
Conclusion
If you want to improve the appearance of your house, comparing 4-inch vs. 6-inch recessed lighting is a good option. You should be able to pick between the two alternatives based on the parameters stated above. In general, 4-inch recessed lights are pretty comparable to 6-inch recessed lights. The key distinctions are the size of the container and the diameter of the lit region beneath the light source. You may even employ both variations in the same room.
If you’re not sure which light size is appropriate for you, the most accessible approach to choosing your lights is to match the size of the light and the size of the space. This offers a sense of proportion to your overall design and guarantees that the amount of light does not overwhelm your space.
