Recessed lighting is increasingly becoming common in most modern homes. It is a fantastic choice if you are looking to make your rooms look bigger. It is versatile, has unique design features, and gives a room uniform lighting. However, choosing the right size to make the most of your recessed lighting is important. The most popular options are 4 and 6 inches. But how do they differ, and which should you choose? In this blog, we’ll detail the 6 vs. 4 recessed lighting comparison so that you can make the best choice.
6-inch Recessed Lighting
A room with large recessed bulbs
The 6-inch recessed lighting is suitable for large spaces. It is a perfect choice for people with big rooms and houses. You can use 6-inch recessed lighting bulbs to reap the maximum benefits. Also, you will get the following additional benefits;
Effective Lighting
6-inch recessed lighting is large, and you can install it overhead. The beauty of overhead lighting is distributing light uniformly in a house. You can use it ideally if your house has high ceilings, large bedrooms, and a dining hall.
Many Trims Designs
A bedroom with recessed lighting
6-inch lighting has a wide range of trim options and designs that suit every user. It allows you to choose from different colors. That makes your lighting options versatile since you can install what suits your needs. And it’s also budget-friendly, no matter your budget size.
Direct Control Option
6-inch recessed lighting gives room for direct control. It enables you to change or control brightness, direction, and intensity manually or remotely. That means you can adjust a room’s lighting to meet your needs or set the right mood.
4-Inch Recessed Lighting
A bathroom with recessed lighting
4-inch recessed lighting works well in tight spaces, over the kitchen sinks, or beside a desk. It illuminates a space and casts focused light on a specific area giving extra lighting. That makes it easy to do simple tasks around the house.
Additionally, it offers the following benefits;
Makes a Room Look Bigger
This light makes a room look larger through wall washing. 4-inch lighting concentrates its light on the wall, especially if you have trims like eyeball trims. This makes the walls look as if they are further away, giving the illusion of a larger room.
Brightens The Edges and Corners
Instead of installing large lights at the edges or corners of a room, you can install 4-inch recessed lights. They give the room balanced lighting. The corners and edges can be a little light. But once you light them with a 4-inch light bulb, the room achieves balanced lighting.
Light Dark Surfaces
4-Inch recessed lighting is a perfect choice for lighting up dark areas. They light up dark-stained bathrooms, wood cabinetry, and pantries, making it easy to find items quickly. You can save energy by using small 4-inch recessed lighting. They will give you the same lighting as the larger ones.
Highlights Unique Spots in Your House
It is a perfect choice for highlighting unique spots in your house. For instance, if you have an artwork you want to display, it illuminates the light perfectly.
Types of Recessed Lighting
There are different installation variants of 4-inch and 6-inch recessed lighting. They include the following:
Ceiling Recessed Lighting
Type of ceiling recessed lighting
These are the most common ceiling lights you will find in most homes. They downlight the light from the ceiling.
Recessed Wall Lighting
An example of wall lighting
Recessed wall lighting is mounted on the wall. You can use angle flanges for coverage. That is when you install unreachable areas, like pathways and staircases.
6 vs. 4 Recessed Lighting: What is the Difference?
The Difference between 6-inch and 4-inch recessed lighting is the size, design, and function. Let’s look at each to understand more.
Size
Recessed lighting with a diameter of 6 inches is medium-sized because it is 2 inches larger than lighting with a diameter of 4 inches.
With the size difference, the 4-inch lighting is best for places with low ceilings and tight spaces. You can position 4-inch led bulbs within cabinets, on sloped ceilings, and closets.
For covering a wide area, the 6-inch lighting would be ideal. This includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, garage, and all other interior spaces.
Design
The 4-inch recessed lights look more modern and contemporary than the 6-inch lights because of their small size. They can remain well hidden.
But it’s impossible to miss a 6-inch light. It explains why there are more trim design options for 6-inch lights than for 4-inch lights, as the medium-sized fixture is obvious to see.
Function
However, 4-inch and 6-inch functions are different. The 4-inch creates a more focused and concentrated light than the 6-inch. That is because it has a small diameter. That makes the light beam bright and sharp with minimal dispersion around the edges.
The 6-inch has a large beam angle. It is ideal for general lighting because it covers a more significant area.
4-inch vs. 6-inch Led Lighting: Which One to Choose?
A room with recessed lighting
If you want to install either 4-inch or 6-inch recessed lights, choose the size that will give the most effective lighting in your house. However, before making your decision, consider various factors.
The Purpose
Before choosing 4-inch vs. 6-inch led lighting, understand the purpose of your lighting options. Will you need them for ambient, accent, regular, or task lighting? Do you need to light your large rooms or small spaces? Once you answer those questions, you will choose the ones that serve your purpose. For instance, for larger spaces, you will pick 6-inch lighting.
Location
It is essential to consider which location you will mount your lighting. For instance, if you have a large house with a high ceiling, 6-inch lighting will be ideal. If the house is small 4-inch lighting will give enough light.
Decor Goals
A decorated floor recessive lighting
How do you want your house to look when you use recessed lighting? Are you looking for compact-size or mid-size lighting? Do you want to accent a piece of art? Every home has its unique decor features. Luckily, the 6-inch and 4-inch recessive lighting have options that can match your house theme.
Bottom line
If you consider installing recessed lighting in your home, 6-inch and 4-inch lights are good options. The above tips will help you choose what is best for your house. Remember that 6-inch is ideal for large spaces, and 4-inch is suitable for small spaces. You can use 4-inch and 6-inch lights to complete your preferred look.
