6 Reasons to Install Recessed Lighting Before Listing Your Home

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Updated on October 21st, 2022

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Having the proper lighting in your home is essential in more ways than one. Not only can the right lighting improve the way your home looks and feels, but it can also increase the value of your home. So whether you’re selling a home in sunny Miami, FL, or an overcast city like Seattle, WA, you should always consider lighting and the effect it has on your space. Read on to learn how installing recessed lighting can enhance the value and appearance of your home.

recessed lighting in dining room

1) Recessed lighting can help your listing receive more views 

When you list your home for sale, the competition to attract buyers begins. Though professional photos are a must for driving active buyers to view your home online, those photos won’t be nearly as enticing without proper lighting. Based on the most popular home trends in the U.S, homes with recessed lighting average the most views at 906 views per listing. More views mean more potential buyers, which could potentially help you sell your home quicker. 

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2) Your home may sell above list price

If you’re planning on selling your home, installing recessed lighting may be a great return on investment. Not only is it among the most valuable home improvement trends in the US, but homes with this feature have an average sale-to-list price ratio of 101.5%. So, if you don’t have recessed lighting in your home already, it could be a great project to take on before putting your home on the market. “Recessed lights are highly customizable and easy to install, says Kevin Solano of Nora Lighting. “New technology allows for recessed lighting installation without a housing, keeping costs down for DIY homeowners. 

3) It can increase functionality and improve the look of any room  

In addition to increased home value, installing recessed lighting has many other benefits. This lighting type is perfect for low-ceiling homes because the fixture is built straight into the ceiling. It can also help open up your space and make the room appear larger.

Recessed lighting is one of the most understated design elements in one’s home, says Bethani Suter of Luxury Spaces KC. “They’re a must-have to set the tone of the home and effortlessly bring in feelings of warmth and vastness. Plus, you can customize them to fit your space.”

Another benefit is that you can incorporate focused light into the design of your home. “Recessed lighting is an excellent general lighting source, but it can also highlight architectural features in a room or accent an important piece of art, such as a family heirloom,” says Brian Kleinberg of Elements Lighting + Decor. “It is an effective way to light a room while keeping the light source hidden and with the advent of new LED light sources, we now can achieve different color temperatures.” Additionally, the spotlight effect is great for modernizing a bathroom, illuminating a home office, or updating a kitchen.

4) Installing recessed lighting can elevate outdoor spaces

Recessed lighting isn’t just great for interior lighting. It’s also an excellent option for illuminating outdoor spaces. Whether they’re embedded in the ground or installed to overhead fixtures, recessed lights can add character to your backyard oasis, patio, or other outside spaces. You can also use outdoor recessed lighting to highlight landscaping like trees or other plants when installed in the ground.

5) Recessed lighting is compatible with technology

As smart technology becomes increasingly common, homebuyers will likely see it as a necessity rather than a luxury. With that in mind, you can control some recessed lighting fixtures with a mobile device. “The newest recessed lighting technologies give you more options to control the mood throughout your home, says Lauren O’Toole of MaxximaStyle. “Wi-Fi downlights are voice and app-controlled and allow you to schedule your lights to turn on or off, dim, or change colors at different times based on your lifestyle. You can also group your lights to control them all together and set up scenes for different areas.”

Pro tip: Homebuyers often demand luxuries in their new homes, and smart home integration is an excellent investment if you want to sell your property. You need a well-thought-out plan to get the best results from your recessed lighting. Your final space should cater specifically to what it’s being used for. – BAZZ Smart Home

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6) Recessed lights come in various shapes and sizes

Another perk of installing recessed lighting fixtures is the endless options you can choose from to fit your home’s style. For those that want a brighter look, choose recessed lights with a reflector trim to amplify the light in your space. If you’re looking to illuminate a particular area of your home, choose an eyeball trim that will allow you to adjust the angle of the bulb in various directions. And if you’re looking for a more modern look or want to accent a piece of decor or wall art, consider a pinhole trim, which shines light through a small opening for a more narrow beam of light. “Recessed lighting offers great flexibility when installing into new or existing homes, says Ahmed of Four Bros Lighting. “You can wire your recessed lights into different wiring zones instead of a single zone. This offers the ability to turn some lights on while keeping the others off in a single room”. 

Regardless of your preference, there’s a recessed lighting option for you.

*Per home listing data on Redfin.com, as of February 2022.

Individual results may vary. This is not intended as a substitute for the services of a licensed real estate agent or licensed and bonded home services, professional, or appraiser.

If you are represented by an agent, this is not a solicitation of your business. This article is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional advice from a medical provider, licensed attorney, financial advisor, or tax professional. Consumers should independently verify any agency or service mentioned will meet their needs. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines here.
Chibuzo Ezeokeke

Chibuzo Ezeokeke

Chibuzo is a Content Marketing Specialist on Redfin’s content marketing team. He’s been with Redfin for over two years and enjoys running and playing basketball when he’s not writing. His dream home is a Mediterranean-style house with a large kitchen and plenty of windows.

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