I love being bathed in light when I desire it in any room. The recessed lights are just one option. There are still chandeliers, lamps, sconces, eyeballs, under cabinet, rope lights, etc. It’s a thoughtful layered approach that you should strive for, but we really love and use the recessed lights in every room. For the kitchen, you want to see what you are chopping or making. In the LR, you might be playing an instrument, reading a book, entertaining, watching TV, playing a board game, etc. the recessed lights and various other lamps provide for lighting flexibility. In the BR, if I dump clothes on the bed to fold, I want to see what I am matching and folding, so the overhead recessed lights are terrific. Op, put in the recessed lights with dimmers. You won’t regret it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I added it to our living room and family room. I’m very happy with it now. You do have to pay attention to the “warmth” rating of the lights.

Initially our living room was done with 3000k and it was way too white. It looked like a doctor’s office. I hated it. Had another contractor come in and he changed them out to 2700k and it was so much better. We had him do the family room as well.

The difference between 3000k and 2700k is negligible. I’m surprised you saw that much of a difference.

It can make a big difference. 2700K in our condo looked dingy, and 3000K looks much better. Home Depot now carries some bulbs in both "soft white" (2700K) and "bright white" (3000K).

Then probably has more to do with CRI (color rending index, higher the better) than the color temp.

They're all cheap floods that mostly don't list CRI, so presumably the CRI is nothing special. One box I have from a 3000K flood says CRI 80.

Consider under cabinet lighting too in the kitchen.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I added it to our living room and family room. I’m very happy with it now. You do have to pay attention to the “warmth” rating of the lights.

Initially our living room was done with 3000k and it was way too white. It looked like a doctor’s office. I hated it. Had another contractor come in and he changed them out to 2700k and it was so much better. We had him do the family room as well.

The difference between 3000k and 2700k is negligible. I’m surprised you saw that much of a difference.

It can make a big difference. 2700K in our condo looked dingy, and 3000K looks much better. Home Depot now carries some bulbs in both "soft white" (2700K) and "bright white" (3000K).

Then probably has more to do with CRI (color rending index, higher the better) than the color temp.

Yes, we have warm yellow (the kind that looks like the old incandescents) recessed lighting on a dimmer in the living and dining room. We also have lamps. It works very well, particularly for the living area which is huge with tall ceiling.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate recessed lighting. We got rid of ours when we renovated.

recessed lighting is great and you can get adjustable brightness and color. I would never build a house without it.

+1. Especially in an older home during the winter. It's depressing as all get out when it gets dark at 4.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I added it to our living room and family room. I’m very happy with it now. You do have to pay attention to the “warmth” rating of the lights.

Initially our living room was done with 3000k and it was way too white. It looked like a doctor’s office. I hated it. Had another contractor come in and he changed them out to 2700k and it was so much better. We had him do the family room as well.

The difference between 3000k and 2700k is negligible. I’m surprised you saw that much of a difference.

It can make a big difference. 2700K in our condo looked dingy, and 3000K looks much better. Home Depot now carries some bulbs in both "soft white" (2700K) and "bright white" (3000K).

Anonymous wrote:I hate recessed lighting. We got rid of ours when we renovated.

recessed lighting is great and you can get adjustable brightness and color. I would never build a house without it.