Recessed Light

Recessed light fixtures sit flush within your ceiling, creating a clean, streamlined look while delivering focused or ambient illumination throughout any room. Whether you're upgrading a kitchen, brightening a hallway, or adding layered lighting to your living space, these versatile fixtures offer endless design possibilities. Angi connects you with local pros who can help with installation, plus guides and cost insights to plan your project.

Related to Recessed Light Service

Recessed Light Service Articles and Advice
Angi  •  May 3, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting? [2026 Data]
Discover the cost to install recessed lighting. Discover how price factors, labor, and other considerations can help you save on your lighting project.
Taylor Freitas  •  May 3, 2026
Recessed Lighting Calculator: How Many Recessed Lights Do I Need?
If you’re planning to install recessed lighting, one of the first things you’ll do is figure out how many recessed lights you need. Here’s how to do that.
Gillian Beckett  •  May 2, 2026
How Many Can Lights Per Room? Your Guide to Recessed Lighting for Any Space
Recessed lighting is a great way to illuminate your home. Use this guide to find out how many can lights per room you’ll need.
Haley Nothstein  •  May 2, 2026
The Difference Between Can Lights vs. Recessed Lights and How To Make a Choice for Your Home
When looking to light your space, you may be stuck on a choice between can lights vs. recessed lights. Find out their differences and which is best.
Deirdre Sullivan  •  May 2, 2026
What’s the Difference Between Wafer Lights vs. Can Lights?
LED wafer lights vs. can lights—which one is the right choice for lighting your home? Learn more in this quick comparison guide.
Hannah Rail  •  May 2, 2026
Where To Place Recessed Lights in the Kitchen: What the Pros Say
Recessed lights add subtle ambiance or general lighting to any space. In this guide, we’ll share pro tips on where to place recessed lights in the kitchen.
Mika Deneige  •  May 2, 2026
How to Change a Recessed Light Bulb in 6 Steps
You don’t always need a pro for recessed lighting fixes. Learn how to change a recessed light bulb on your own for an easy, affordable home repair.
Lyle Hendriks  •  May 2, 2026
How To Remove Old Recessed Light Housing for a Lighting Makeover
Ready for a change in your space’s lighting? Learn how to remove old recessed light housing the safe and simple way with this quick, seven-step guide.
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Common Recessed Light Service Questions

While it’s a simple DIY project to remove recessed light fittings, it does require a couple of hours of your time and a handful of tools. Start by shutting off the power to the fixture. Remove the old bulb, light trim, and the light housing. Once you locate the wires (which are likely hanging down by now), you can disconnect them. Next, terminate the wires with plastic wire nuts and tuck them into the old-work box back into the ceiling. Install a cover plate, reconnect power, and paint over the blank cover plate for a finished look.

Can lights and recessed lights (and wafer lights vs. can lights) are often referred to interchangeably, but they have some key distinctions. Can lights represent the overall category and generally have a cylindrical or square housing with an open top. Recessed lights are usually a type of can lights that are set into a ceiling or wall, resulting in a flush appearance.

It costs about $100 to $600 per light to install canless recessed lighting. The most expensive part of the recessed lighting installation costs is the labor. Canned recessed lighting can take 30 to 40 minutes longer per light than canless because of the housing installation. If you choose canless integrated lighting with the lightbulb permanently installed into the fixture, you can save even more money by not having to replace bulbs.  

When it comes to installing recessed lights in your kitchen, place them over areas where you perform specific tasks. This includes over the countertops, sink, and dishwasher to provide illumination when you’re working in these areas. Make sure to space them 12 inches apart from each other and up to 18 inches away from the cabinets.

There aren't any hard and fast rules about how far recessed lights should be from the wall. It depends on your needs for the lighting. For instance, if you want to highlight a specific piece of art on the wall, you'll want to install lighting close to it. But if you want to illuminate an entire room, you might want your lighting farther from the wall.

A general guideline of one-and-a-half to three feet from the wall is a good place to start, but in the end, you want to make sure the lighting meets your unique needs.