Lighting can completely change the mood and look of any space. Among many options, recessed lights give a clean, modern appearance. However, sometimes you might want something more decorative and brighter. That's where flush-mount lights come into the scene. If you want to understand the differences between these two styles first, learn more about this detailed comparison here. But if you already have recessed lights, you might wonder: how to replace recessed lighting with flush-mount lighting?
Replacing recessed lighting with flush-mount fixtures is a good idea to refresh your room's style. A flush-mount light sits flat against the ceiling. This gives your space a more polished and stylish look. However, many get confused about changing flush-mount lights. But worry not! In this guide, I will help you replace recessed lights with flush-mount lights step by step. So, let's get started!
Why Should You Replace Recessed Lighting with Flush-Mount Lighting?
In recessed lighting solution, the fixture sits inside the ceiling. As a result, only the trim and bulb are visible from below, giving a space a clean look. However, in flush-mount lighting, the fixture sits on or slightly extends below the ceiling surface. So, these lights often provide a stylish look to any space. Besides this, there are several other reasons people replace recessed lights with flush mounts. Here is why!
-
For Better Room Illumination: As I said above, recessed lights usually shine straight down. This creates small circles of light on the floor and brightens a small area. However, flush-mount lights spread light more widely and illuminate large areas. Moreover, these lights spread light evenly and do not create dark spots. That's why many people choose them.
-
To Enhance Aesthetic Appeal: Flush-mount fixtures come in a wide variety of designs, colors, and finishes. This allows you to match them to your room's decor easily. The matching lights that complement your room's background enhance overall aesthetics.
-
Easier Maintenance: One key benefit of flush-mount lighting is its ease of cleaning and maintenance. With flush-mount lights, you remove the shade or cover to clean or change a bulb. However, in recessed lighting, the bulb is recessed deep into the ceiling. So, it is often tricky to reach and clean it.
-
For Energy Efficiency: Interestingly, modern flush-mount lights often use LED technology. As a result, they consume far less power than older recessed lighting systems. Many come with built-in LEDs that can last for years without needing replacement. This means lower electricity bills and less heat generation. All this saves energy consumption and money in the long run.
How to Replace Recessed Lighting with Flush-Mount Lighting? Step-by-Step Guide
Replacing recessed lighting is not as tricky as it sounds. With simple tools and proper guidance, you can do it yourself. How? Here are some steps you should carefully follow!
Step 1: Turn Off the Power
Before doing anything, remember that safety is the most important thing. Electricity can be dangerous, even when changing a light fixture. That's why you must turn off the power completely before touching anything. First, go to your home's main electrical panel. There, you will see a series of switches called circuit breakers.
Each breaker controls the electricity for a different part of your home. So, find the breaker that controls the lights in the room you are working on. But if you can't see or aren't sure which breaker is the right one, I recommend turning off power to the entire house. After that, double-check with a non-contact voltage tester to ensure no current is passing.
Step 2: Removing the Old Recessed Fixture
Once the power is off, and you've ensured the area is safe. Now, it's time to remove the old recessed light fixture you want to replace. First, remove the trim or cover from the recessed light. Actually, it is the outer ring or frame that sits with the ceiling. You can remove it by gently pulling it down with a little force.
Remember, some trims have small metal clips or springs holding them in place. In such cases, you have to press them inward carefully, and the trim will become loose. After removing the trim, you will have to remove the bulb from the fixture. Removing the bulb gives you a better view of what's inside.
Once the bulb is out, you'll see a metal housing that's built into the ceiling. This is what we call a fixture, which holds the recessed light in place. In most models, it has clips or screws that hold it. For this, use a screwdriver to loosen the screws, then gently pull the clips free. Now, slowly slide the fixture down from the ceiling, and it's finally out.
Step 3: Preparing the Ceiling & Junction Box
Now that you have removed the old recessed fixture, let's proceed to the next step. In this step, you have to prepare the ceiling and junction box for your new flush-mount light. How? First, take a close look at the ceiling opening where the recessed light used to be. In most cases, recessed lights leave a larger gap than flush-mount light fixtures.
In such cases, you first need to fill the gap with a patch plate or a drywall patch. Once done, focus on the junction box in that fixture gap. Actually, this is a small metal or plastic box that holds the electrical wires. You'll use this box to connect the new fixture's wires safely. Some of the recessed lights don't have this separate junction box. In that case, you have to install a new junction box.
Step 4: Connecting the New Wires
After locating the junction box, it's time to connect the wires for your flush-mount lights. This step ensures proper flush-mount lighting. First, you should look at the wires coming from your ceiling (junction box). Here are three wire colors. Those include black, white, bare, and green. However, first inspect the ceiling wires to ensure they are not damaged.
If the wires look old or frayed, trim off the damaged part and strip about an inch of insulation from the end. The same three color wires are also connected to a flush-mount fixture. Here, your goal is to connect each matching color correctly. How? First, connect the black (hot) wire from the ceiling to the black wire from the new light.
Next, connect the white (neutral) wire from the ceiling to the white wire from the new fixture. Lastly, connect the ground wire (green) from the ceiling to the fixture's green wire. After connecting all the wires, tug each one gently to ensure it is securely secured. Once you are sure they are secure, neatly fold the wires into the junction box.
Step 5: Mounting & Testing the Flush-Mount Fixture
Now that your new flush-mount light is wired correctly, the final step is mounting it. So, start by carefully lifting the flush-mount fixture towards the ceiling. Most flush-mount lights come with a mounting bracket that attaches directly to the junction box. So, line up the holes in the bracket with the screw holes in the junction box.
After that, use a screwdriver to tighten the screws until the bracket becomes stable. Next, attach the fixture body to the mounting bracket by twisting it into place. But remember, different flush-mount lights use different mounting methods. So I recommend that you follow the instructions that came with your light for secure installation. Once the fixture is mounted, attach the decorative cover or shade, and that's all.
Now's finally the time to test your new flush-mount light. So, go to your home's electrical panel and turn on the power supply. After that, flip the switch in your room and check your flush-mount light. Walk around the corner of the room and check for any dark spots or flickering. If there are no issues, you have correctly replaced the recessed lights with flush-mount lights.
Conclusion
Flush-mount lights have become a popular choice today due to their even brightness and decorative nature. However, those who have old recessed lighting and want to replace it with flush-mount lighting become confused. But this is not as tricky a task as it sounds. In this article, I have discussed some easy steps to replace a recessed light with a flush-mount light. But remember, each of those steps is equally important.
For example, turning off the lights is essential for safety. However, preparing the ceiling and checking the wiring are also important. But if you are not sure about electrical work, you should ask professionals for help. Remember, skipping any single step can lead to improper installation and hassle later.
