Need bright, wide-angle lights for can fixtures in low-ceiling space

March 4, 2016 8:17 AM

Our finished basement has a very low ceiling with widely-spaced overhead can fixtures, causing a lot of dark areas. I've tried a few different LED and fluorescent bulbs, but none of them produce enough light and/or they have too narrow of a beam angle.

I spend a lot of time working on stuff in the basement and the lighting situation bugs me. Currently there's a mix of fluorescent and LED bulbs. The original incandescent bulbs produced good light, but I'm opposed to their energy requirements and especially their heat in the summer.

Ideally I'd like recommendations based on first-hand experience for PAR30 style LEDs that both have a wide beam angle and are very bright, even if they are on the expensive side. A fluorescent bulb would be OK as well if it achieves brightness quickly (the ones I have now take a minute). BR30 format seems less ideal since I think bulb would protrude from the fixture, but I could live with it I suppose. Dimming ability is of no concern.

Alternately, I am open to doing some electrical work such as replacing the can fixtures. The lights would have to be basically flush with the ceiling.

posted by exogenous to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

Best answer: We've gone through something similar with the can lights in our kitchen. I've found the 1200 lumen bulbs are a minimum for good, working light. (800 really doesn't cut it).

But finding the right bulb and selections at lowes/home depot can be an exercise in frustration, so I hear you there - spot vs flood (beam vs wide), the right color temp (I like 2700), the right lumens, dimmable (don't want), etc.

So I can't give a specific model, but would say find a 1200 lumen, 2700 temp bulb and see how you like it. (Or if the warm yellow isn't a requirement, go higher on the temperature).
posted by k5.user at 9:00 AM on March 4, 2016

Best answer: You can get rolls of flat LEDs easily on the internet. They are not elegant, but they throw off quite a bit of light and can be easily attached directly to the ceiling.
posted by OmieWise at 10:20 AM on March 4, 2016

Best answer: Can lights just suck for general lighting in low-ceilinged areas no matter what bulbs you use. If light over a large area is the priority, install some four-foot T8 fluorescent fixtures, tucking them up between the floor joists. Use good bulbs, with a reasonably high CRI rating. They won't be pretty, but you'll be able to see.

Move the cans close together over a workbench or table where you need exceptionally crisp, bright light.
posted by jon1270 at 10:34 AM on March 4, 2016

I would get some foam crown molding from here: http://www.foamcrownmolding.com/ (I rent so I haven't been able to test any of this plan yet) and then get something like this: LEDMO 5630 LED Strip.
Then you should be able to put the LED tape on the crown molding and light up the ceiling for a nice warm even light across the whole room.
posted by Uncle at 12:59 PM on March 4, 2016

Response by poster: Thanks folks, good ideas. At the big box store I found a Commercial Electric brand LED unit with a trim ring to go in an old can light (none of the straight-up bulbs had nearly as high a lumen rating, I guess because they have to be smaller) for about $30 and it is a tremendous improvement. It says "High Ceiling" which seems to mean "bright." One or two more of those will set things up nicely for the areas downstairs where I spend my time.
posted by exogenous at 4:42 PM on March 4, 2016