How do I space recessed lights in grid ceiling?

Question

We are redoing our basement office into a combination office and guest bedroom. The ceiling has 2*4 acoustic tiles in a dropped grid. The ceiling is too low to get a picture that shows all the tiles simultaneously so I will try to describe the layout as best I can and I am attaching a picture that shows the layout.The room is about 12 ft by 17 ft and the ceiling has 5 full tiles across the 12 ft width (with short 6' strips along the back wall) 4 full tiles along the length of the room plus 5 ~1/3 tiles along the left side.
 The current lighting is two 2*4 fluorescent panels and they are in the center tiles width-wise and the end full tiles length-wise. I have purchased 6 canned lights (65w equivalent dimmable led bulbs) with recessed trim to replace the lighting but I am not sure how to space them. My intent was to have 2 rows of 3 lights across the 17 ft length of the room. Along the 12 ft width it makes sense to me to center a light in each of the 2nd and 4th tiles across but across the 17 ft length there are 4.3 spaces over which to space 3 lights. Should I only use 4 lights where the X's are on the table or is there a better way to space 5 or 6 lights across the ? I am worried the recessed lights will look weird if not centered in the tile they are surrounded by but I am also worried 4 lights will not be sufficient for the space. I am also covering the acoustic tiles in paintable 'tin ceiling' wallpaper to make the room feel more homey.
 
Thanks for any advice!
Taryn

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

The spacing of the lights are determined by several factors. The height of the fixture from the area being lit, the light spread of the fixture and the amount of lumens that the fixture provides. 
Think of the light coming out of the fixture the shape of a up side down funnel. The higher the light is the wider the funnel is when it strikes the desk or floor. Now think about how bright you want the object to be when the light hits it. If its an office environment, you need to focus on the decks as that will be where the work is being done. In a family room as an example, the floor would be the focal point.

My suggestion is to use the four fixtures and add high hat lights in critical areas where you want to focus more light on. Perhaps over desk area, or over sitting area for reading. But the two lights will make the room a bit darker.

You should also look into dimmable florescent fixtures and controls. These fixtures are expensive, but will make the room more comfortable when your just using the room as a guest area but bright enough when using the room as an office.

You can get away and around this if the fixture has four bulbs that can be wired so only half of the fixture comes on at a time with separate switches.

Taryn C · Answer

Thanks for the response. The  ceiling is 7 ft 2inches high.   The light fixtures are 6' recessed  can lights and I have purchased 800 lumen dimmable led bulb trim kits to go in them. The lighting mainly needs to be sufficient for a bedroom because the main office use is online gaming with the lights off anyway.

Karyn Workman · Answer

If your goal is to add overall lighting then keep your drawing and in each tile dot a line thru the length half way. Basically changing  the count from 20 to 40 tiles. They will lay out easier. If you are using them for over desks as task lighting, the put you cans over the desk area the layout the rest based on a 40 square tile layout.

How do I space recessed lights in grid ceiling?

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How do I space recessed lights in grid ceiling?

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