Jai said:
Soffit lighting, track/surface lighting, lamps, uplighting, pendants, chandeliers, sconces—all are valid options.
Do not go with wafers! Just don’t.
My options are really soffit vs low-profile full coverage lighting. Could you explain why not wafers? Also, what low-profile LED ceiling lights would you recommend if not wafers?
@Kim
Regressed options, like the Elco Oak line, are better. You can go with shallow apertures, such as the Elco Oak for smaller sizes. Recessed lighting isn’t meant for ‘full coverage’; it’s designed for task or accent lighting, as it points downward.
Wafers tend to create glare, flatten the space, and often look cheap. Start with other layers of lighting first, and only add recessed lights once you’ve maximized those options.
@Jai
Thanks! Am I correct in assuming that with something like this, the ceiling height will drop by around 5.5 inches? Elco Lighting - 2" Round Reflector.
@Kim
If you choose that route, I’d recommend the Koto line—it’s more flexible in terms of trims and options. But yes, a 5.5-inch drop is typical unless you go with the canless Koto, which requires less height. The Oak can go as shallow as a 1.5-inch drop. Smaller apertures, like 1" or 2", are more modern and desirable for creating a ‘quiet ceiling.’ Expect to pay around $100 per light once specced correctly.
@Jai
Canless Koto seems like the best bet. For a living room (25’ x 17’), what aperture size would you recommend, and how much ceiling height would I lose?
Kim said: @Jai
Canless Koto seems like the best bet. For a living room (25’ x 17’), what aperture size would you recommend, and how much ceiling height would I lose?
With the canless Koto, you’d likely need about a 4-inch drop. For a space that size, I’d recommend 2-inch apertures. They provide great lumens and flexibility for beam angles. Here’s a PDF with height requirements and options: Koto Canless PDF.
Oakley said: @Jai
I hope OP has at least 10 ft ceilings to work with.
Why? Anything above 8 ft is comfortable. A 7-ft ceiling would be tricky, but anything over that should work fine, even with furring down the ceiling further.
@Jai
In NYC, older apartments often have quirks like uneven ceiling heights or outdated wiring. Dropping ceilings can sometimes uncover unexpected issues, especially if the building is older.
Could you share more images of the space? Also, why do you ‘need’ recessed lights specifically? Regarding option 2, do perimeter lights work well for your use case?
Lex said:
Could you share more images of the space? Also, why do you ‘need’ recessed lights specifically? Regarding option 2, do perimeter lights work well for your use case?
@Kim
Thanks for the photos. It looks like the space has a unique curved track lighting system. You might want to consider indirect lighting for ambiance and direct lighting for task areas. Some recommendations:
@Lex
How do these options compare to Elco (Koto or Oak), Lutron Rania D2, or Flos Clara lights? My old apartment had Flos in the kitchen, and they looked amazing.
Kim said: @Lex
How do these options compare to Elco (Koto or Oak), Lutron Rania D2, or Flos Clara lights? My old apartment had Flos in the kitchen, and they looked amazing.
Elco options are more affordable but may lack the refinement of something like Flos. Lutron Rania D2 is high-quality but pricey. Flos designs are great for aesthetics but can be on the expensive side. Consider your budget and style preferences when choosing.