Lighting is always a key element when designing the function and style of your space. If you are considering installing a recessed light conversion kit to update lighting fixtures, we have three models of recessed can conversion kits to choose from below. In addition, we offer complementary decorative medallions to add a nice finishing touch to your project.

Whether you are interested in doing a recessed light conversion for your entryway, kitchen or bathroom, even your outdoor deck, or perhaps emergency/egress lights, we’ve got you covered. And whether you’re working with a contractor or simply doing it yourself, here are some tips to help make your next recessed light conversion project a success.

Find the right Recessed Light Conversion Kit for you:

 

Home Lighting Design Considerations

While using our recessed light conversion kit is simple, lighting design can be challenging if you don’t know the basics. That’s why it’s a great idea to consider a few lighting essentials before you get started on your recessed light conversion.

Whether you are buying a new home and need to redesign the lighting for your entire living space, or would just like to update specific areas of your home, you may find that making decisions regarding your home lighting can be a difficult task.

Some of the first and most important lighting design considerations are regarding the brightness and distribution of your light. As part of your lighting plan, you should also take into account any natural light coming into the space and determine how that might affect the overall look.

Another factor to consider is the size of the space you are lighting as well as what type of flexibility and lighting controls you want to have. Would you like a dimmer? Do you want directional lighting that can be easily angled to reach specific areas?

You should also consider the color of the light you want. Bright white or warm light? Ambient lighting or task lighting? All of these are great questions to ask yourself when you are considering the purchase of a recessed light conversion kit.

 

Fixture Types for Recessed Light Conversion Kits

Once you have decided on a few general basics for your can light conversion project, you’ll want to start looking at what type of fixture to install as its replacement. Our patented recessed light converters enable you to transform your space with any of these popular light fixtures and many more.

 

Flush Mount Lights

Flush mount ceiling lighting is a staple in many homes. These lights are easy to install and are a good fit for nearly any design aesthetic. Low profile and easy to clean, they are a great choice for general or ambient lighting that is even distributed. Flush mount lights are commonly installed in bathrooms, bedrooms, closets, and studies. They are offered in a variety of styles and sizes making them suitable for nearly any recessed light conversion.

 

Pendants and Chandeliers

Two of the most common recessed light conversions are hanging pendant lights and large chandeliers. While it is typically a bit easier to convert recessed light to pendants than it is to convert your can light into a large chandelier, both are completely doable in just a few hours!

Pendant lights are also a great fit for many uses and can be an effortless way to add both style and functionality to a space that requires a more targeted light such as a kitchen or home office. Chandeliers are another type of hanging light that is commonly used in a recessed can conversion, especially over dining tables. One of the biggest advantages of hanging lights is how easily customizable they are. For example, with a recessed light conversion kit, you can hang a pendant light at just the perfect height for whatever is underneath it.

 

Track Lighting

Space-saving track lighting is another popular fixture for doing a recessed light conversion. They are very practical, can hold multiple lights, and can be easily reconfigured for changing needs. Many homeowners like to add track lights as accent lighting. It can be quite helpful in highlighting an art piece or lighting up those hard-to-reach dark corners. Track lights are also particularly useful in illuminating large, open floor plans typical in modern homes with minimalist interiors. However, these lights offer so much flexibility that any type or size home can convert recessed light to track light and enjoy a multitude of benefits!

 

Ceiling Fan

One option you may not have considered possible is to convert your recessed light into a ceiling fan. That’s right! We even have a model to convert recessed light to ceiling fans. With our R56 model, a 5-6 inch Recessed Light Kit you can transform your old recessed light into a new ceiling fan complete with a remote-controlled up or down light—or even both! You can even use The Can Converter to install your new ceiling fan on an outdoor porch or patio. Just be sure to select a fan that is properly rated for the conditions in which you are installing it.

 

Light Fixture Installation After Recessed Light Conversion

Installing a light fixture after a recessed can conversion is typically a breeze. However, the type and location of the fixture, as well as your design goals, can certainly affect the complexity of your new light installation. It is important to remember, however, that this has nothing to do with the actual recessed can conversion. It is simply due to the differences involved with the installation of the light fixtures once the recessed light conversion kit has been installed. When you consider that, it is probably no surprise to hear that converting your recessed light into a large chandelier would take longer than other fixtures.

As always, with any home improvement project and especially one involving electricity, if you are not familiar with your home’s construction, always seek professional help before installing a recessed light conversion kit.

 

Energy Efficiency Lighting Design

Of course, you also want to be sure that the lights in your home do not cause a high electrical bill, however you still want the lights to be beautiful and effective in your home. Fortunately for you all of those things are possible with some research and some willingness to shop around.

One of the easiest ways to decrease costs with your home lighting is choosing to use an energy-efficient bulb after installing your recessed light conversion kit. Standard incandescent lights can consume a great deal of energy but there are several eco-friendly alternatives to consider.

Compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs are quite popular as they are more energy efficient than standard lights but they do contain a small amount of mercury and are often critiqued as having an unattractive color and are not dimmable. In recent years, LEDs have become the leader in energy-efficiency as well as in looks. They are even available as “smart bulbs” with changing colors and can also be dimmed.

 

Here is a list of different light bulb types you might consider for your recessed can conversion project.

  • LED long-lasting, stays cool, dimmable, variety of color options, energy-efficient.
  • Standard incandescent emits warm light but, bulb gets hot and it uses a lot of energy.
  • Halogen bulbs are a longer lasting, more energy-efficient bulb similar to incandescent.
  • CFL/fluorescent bulbs are energy-efficient but give off harsh light and contain mercury.

 

In addition to choosing eco-friendly bulbs, you can reduce your energy consumption even further by using:

  • Energy Star rated light fixtures
  • Dimmer switches
  • Motion detectors
  • Ceiling fans (Learn more)

 

Safety First for Any Recessed Light Conversion

One last important consideration you should not overlook when doing a recessed light conversion is making sure that you are adhering to any applicable safety regulations or electrical codes. For example, according to the National Electric Code for the U.S. any hanging light fixture must be installed to hang no lower than 8 feet above the top rim of a bathtub. Understanding regulations that may affect your lighting designs is an important step in planning your recessed can conversion.

 

The Original Recessed Light Conversion Kit

Beautiful lighting arrangements can really set the tone of a room and of your entire home. Before installing a recessed light conversion kit, you will want to consider how the lighting will be used, for what purpose, and how you want it to make you feel when enter a room. Lighting is threefold: task orientation, comfort, and security. Therefore, when planning for lighting in your home, first think about the activities happening in that space and the look and style you want to achieve. Our design guides are a great place to start your research! We cover everything from light fixtures for your bathroom how to convert recessed light to track lights to tips on outdoor recessed light conversion.

So remember, if you want to swap an old can light, The Can Converter can help. Want to see  just how easy our patented recessed can conversion adapter is to install? Check out our YouTube channel for videos and helpful tips on converting a recessed light into everything from ceiling fans to pendants!