One of the biggest perks of having your own space is the freedom to do anything that comes with it. After all, owning a property means the responsibility of decorating it falls on your shoulders. Some homeowners – especially the creative ones – consider this an excellent opportunity to hone their interior design skills.
Regardless of how big or small your home is, all factors contribute when decorating it. From color schemes to furniture choices, these components are essential in influencing the overall aesthetic you’re working towards. Even the residential lighting fixtures you’ve chosen can affect the ‘feel’ of each room in the house. That’s why there’s a handful of options available for homeowners to choose from.
However, having too many options for lighting fixtures might get overwhelming. Given how essential they are to bring life to your home, finding the right lighting choice is crucial in a sea of options. But to help you settle in, some of the best examples of lighting fixtures are recessed and track lighting.
While both are ceiling lights, they each have specific qualities that might influence your decision-making. Let’s get to know both in the discussions below:
What Is Recessed Lighting
Also called canned lighting, recessed lighting got that name since it sits ‘embedded’ in the ceiling. Instead of seeing it hanging down like typical light bulbs, you’ll only get a peek at the rim of the fixture. Some types of recessed lighting might give you a glimpse of the barest hint of the bulb when standing nearby.
Since it’s embedded in the ceiling, recessed lighting installation is often more challenging. Regardless, some homeowners might consider it good lighting for their home for these reasons:
- Suitable For Small Spaces
Being installed into the ceiling gives recessed lighting some perks; staying out of the way is one of them. Because as aesthetically pleasing as it is to have the lights hanging off the ceiling, some might find them occupying too much space, especially those living in small homes already. In that case, every inch of space must be used efficiently.
Recessed lights would be perfect for walk-in closets or kitchens because they take up no space. Anywhere that only has a small space for you to work with is ideal for recessed lighting. If anything, installing them could even make these spaces seem bigger than they truly are.
- Easy To Maintain
Since most fixtures are hidden by a can or case, not much dust can reach recessed lighting. Hence, cleaning isn’t a priority. However, that doesn’t mean it repels dust entirely unless there’s a cover included in the recessed lighting you bought. But if there’s none, you must wipe the visible part of the lighting (or cover) with a damp cloth, and it’s good to go.
- Perfect Spotlights
Given it’s called ‘canned’ lighting, recessed lighting can be redirected at certain angles. That way, you can aim its light in a specific direction for those who want to give something the spotlight. It works best on artworks or centerpieces to be ‘elevated’ since they’re the focus of the entire room.
- Minimal Design
Considering it’s out of the way, homeowners might prefer the minimalist recessed lighting offers. After all, working around elegant fixtures is challenging, especially for those fond of having subtle interior design. Aside from that, a simple design frees up space for all sorts of activities, making it functional and visually appealing.
What Is Track Lighting
In contrast, track lighting includes a series of light fixtures arranged on a track or railing. Considering it has a foundation, these fixtures are either attached directly or hanging down as pendants. Besides that fundamental difference, here are more reasons why homeowners would instead go with track lighting instead of recessed lighting:
- Great In Open Spaces
Since it’s not mostly ‘contained,’ track lighting has much more coverage. Because of this, every corner of the room will be illuminated, especially larger rooms. Depending on their style, track lights can even be redirected anywhere, making them more flexible.
- Easy To Install
Because track lights aren’t directly installed on the ceiling, homeowners can easily move the tracks or railing around wherever they like. Moreover, there’s no need to pay attention to what kind of ceiling your home has. If you put up the tracks, these fixtures can work with any ceiling type without affecting brightness.
- Numerous Designs Options
One of the perks of being a homeowner is the creative freedom you have over the massive canvas you call home. Fortunately, out of all the types of light fixtures in the market, track lighting offers many options to accommodate every homeowner. Whether it’s minimalistic, flashy, or in-between, homeowners aren’t short of options.
Which Is Best?
Track and recessed lighting have strengths that make them excel at specific conditions. After all, installing and adjusting recessed lights is an extensive project, considering they’re installed to the ceiling. Meanwhile, track lights can’t illuminate massive rooms with only one series. Thus, it’s safe to say that both lighting fixtures are suitable for different homes.
