Thanks WDCCRUISE! A similar Nicor light (DLG2) is already on my pile of lights to try, but I haven't installed it yet. How is the Nicor quality?

Juno is about the only brand I haven't tried yet (have looked at Nora, Halo, Lithonia, in addition to WAC and Kichler). What do you like about the Juno?

What do you like about the Juno?

With most of those integrated* lights, the surface of the fixture is nearly parallel to the ceiling. That's annoying as you can see the light out of the corner of your eye wherever you are in the room. I think the Juno trims are attractive and, together with the fairly-deep housings, I like the way the separate bulbs are recessed and light shines downwards, not outwards.

I can't stress how important the bulb itself is. I tried a bunch of different bulbs and found those Euri PAR20 lamps the best.

The NICOR lights are just in the hallway. The integrated lamp is deeply recessed so the light is directed at the floors, not the walls, something I wanted in the hallway. I like the 2" size for that application. They're very bright. You'll need a dimmer...for the PAR20's too.

*No separate bulb

Hmmm...

• Lithonia DRD211203KWH 2" fixture ($36)
• WAC R2DRDR-F930-WT 2" fixture ($60)

P.S. I used something like the Commercial Electric 91466 3" light in the shower. I wanted something flat and inconspicuous there. But plan carefully! I accidentally put one right above the rain shower shower head which I had to disconnect.

Thanks so much for all this additional info. It's so hard as an amateur to find the right lighting because you don't know how anything looks until it's already installed and you've made holes in the walls.

@marylandalia, what did you end up using? I'm in a VERY similar boat right now - LOVE the Oculux, but like @wdccruise says, I want a light source further up into the ceiling for true downlights (I'm also doing/looking for some gimbal/wall washers)

I ended up using Oculux in the living spaces, hallways and parent bedroom; and Kichler in the kids' rooms and guest room. There is definitely a difference in the light quality, but Kichler was the best I could find under $100 a pop. Kichler is good for the price, if you're not uber picky like me. If you want something deeper in the ceiling, WAC (makers of Oculux) has a bunch of options, if you can afford that I would recommend that brand. Or if you want to go cheaper with an actual 'can light' effect I would just get any standard cans and install really good lightbulbs, I think that would make the most sense.

@marylandalia thanks for the info! I too am thinking Oculux is the right option for my LR and Kitchen and stairs (a big focal point). I've learned there is a lot <$300 but not a lot of options in the $50-$200 range. For my low end lights (basement, closets, maybe laundry room), I was looking at the WAC Lotos bc I like/want the adjustable feature, but know there are Nora options too. Which Kichler recessed did you use?

I'm learning the more recessed options are easily architectural lights $400 and up (my parents LOVE the Iris lights from Cooper).

I got these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/KICHLER-Direct-to-Ceiling-4-in-Round-Gimbal-Canless-27K-New-Construction-or-Remodel-Integrated-LED-Recessed-Light-Kit-DLGM04R2790WHT/315198496

Yeah the really nice lights are super expensive but I feel the Oculux are pretty good. I have an architect friend who saw them and was impressed with the light quality, he originally assumed they were halogen.

Not sure about the Lotos, if they are much cheaper I would assume they are not as good.