Back to All Articles
May 23, 2024
4 Minute Read
Lighting Guides

A Guide to Recessed Lighting for Your Business

Discover how the right recessed lighting can enhance both ambiance and efficiency in your commercial space.

A Guide to Recessed Lighting for Your Business

There are various elements that play an important role in creating the right ambiance for your business; lighting being an incredibly important element.  

Recessed lighting is an excellent choice for commercial spaces; it is the most common type of lighting fixture and is prized for its versatility. It’s sleek and modern in appearance, provides even illumination, and can enhance the environment and functionality of your space.

Whether you're looking to highlight products in a retail store, create a productive workspace in an office, or set the mood in a restaurant, recessed lighting can help you achieve your goals.

When planning your next lighting upgrade, consider the following factors:

  • Size and shape of the space
  • Ceiling height and type (flat, sloped, vaulted, etc.)
  • Desired ambiance of the space
  • Furniture placement and traffic flow
  • Your existing electrical set-up

An experienced Lighting Consultant and Electrical Contractor will be able to help you determine the ideal placement and spacing of your lighting fixtures and help create an effective lighting design layout.

Choosing The Right Fixtures:

When selecting recessed lighting fixtures for your commercial space, consider the following aspects:

  • Size: Choose the appropriate diameter for your space and ceiling height.
  • Trim: Select a trim style that complements your décor, such as baffle, reflector, or gimbal.
  • Finish: Match the finish to your interior design, with options like white, black, or brushed nickel.
  • Light source: Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs for long-lasting, low-maintenance lighting.
  • Dimming capabilities: Consider dimmer switches for added flexibility and ambiance control.

Depending on your commercial space, we’d recommend the following:

Offices:
  • LED Downlights: provide uniform illumination and have a variety of shapes & sizes available. Go for fixtures that are CCT adjustable and dimmable.
  • Slim Profile Recessed Panels: offer a sleek and modern look while providing ample lighting for workspaces. Choose a fixture with a high CRI and one that’s also CCT selectable. One of our favourites is the NDR Razor Downlight.

Checkout our Office Lighting Catalogue for all office lighting solutions.

Retail Stores:

The type of lighting you choose will really depend on the types of products you’re trying to display and the ambiance you’re looking to create. In general, we’d recommend:

  • Track Lighting: offering a dynamic and flexible solution for retail displays and merchandise. In retail settings, we want track heads with adjustable beam angles and a high CRI to showcase products in their best light.
  • Commercial LED Recessed Troffers: These are ideal in retail settings for offering uniform and glare-free lighting, making fora comfortable shopping experience.
Restaurants:

Similar to retail settings, the type of lighting fixtures you choose should suit the vibe of your restaurant. In general, we’d recommend:

  • Warm White LED Downlights: Warm lighting will create a cozier and inviting ambiance, which would be suitable for both a family-friendly restaurant and a trendy hot spot. Ideally, you’ll want to select dimmable lighting fixtures.  
  • Pendant Lighting: Pendants add style and visual interest. With so many different styles available, its simple enough to choose fixtures that suit your restaurants décor and vibe.
Hotels
  • Pendant Lighting: Ideal for lobbies, entrances and restaurants to add style and ambient lighting
  • Gimbal LED Downlights: Versatile and stylish, gimbal downlights allow for precise aiming of light, making them suitable for illuminating corridors and common areas in hotels, as well as for highlighting unique architectural features.
  • Decorative Recessed Trim: an easy way to add elegant finishes the lighting fixtures in different areas of the hotel.

Check out our full Hotel Lighting Guide here.

Installation and Maintenance

When installing recessed lighting in your commercial space, keep these tips in mind:

  • Hire a licensed and experienced electrical contractor for safe and code-compliant installation. In addition to supplying the lighting, we’ll find the right contractor for your job.
  • Ensure proper insulation and ventilation to prevent heat buildup and fire hazards.
  • Use high-quality, durable fixtures and components to withstand daily wear and tear
  • Regularly clean and maintain your recessed lights to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Recessed lighting is a smart investment for business owners looking to enhance the atmosphere, functionality, and energy efficiency of their commercial spaces.

By carefully planning your layout, selecting the right fixtures, and ensuring proper installation and maintenance, you can create a welcoming and well-lit environment that leaves a lasting impression on your customers and employees.

For assistance with selecting the right lighting fixtures and planning your upgrade, reach out to our team for a free consultation. We’ll come by to check out your space and provide you with a no-obligation lighting proposal.

Looking to upgrade your lighting?

Reach out to our team to discuss your project

Ready to get your EV Infrastructure up and running?

Recent posts

Replacing Your Outdated Douglas Lighting Controls System

With Douglas Lighting Controls out of business, many facilities are left searching for replacement options. So what options are available?

Incentives for Tubular LEDs now available through BC Hydro

BC Hydro recently announced a new incentive for Tubular LEDs through the Business Energy Saving Incentives (BESI) Program.

How To Conduct An Energy Audit

A free checklist to assess your Multi-Unit Residential Buildings' energy usage, ensuring you can save on energy and annual costs.