Our Top Picks For Lighting Made From Natural Materials

natural materials interior

When you’re looking at redecorating your home and you’re picking out accessories to complement your décor, there are a huge number of decisions to make. What colours, materials and trends suit the style of the space, and the sustainability of the accessories you choose are all be likely to be on your mind.

Lighting and other accessories that are made from natural materials are often more easy to recycle at the end of their life – as opposed to plastics, which often simply end up in landfill – which means that many people are now opting to buy the accessories they want for their home more mindfully. While it is (of course) necessary to use metal and plastic for the wiring in light fittings, using less plastic is a good thing for the environment – and you get a great look in your home. Sustainability isn’t the only reason to choose lighting made from natural materials though, which we’ll see next.

 

Why Choose Natural Materials For Lighting?

There are some great reasons to choose accessories that are made from natural materials. When we’re talking specifically about lighting, natural materials are:

  • Stylish and modern
  • Able to behave as a neutral in your space
  • Strong and durable
  • Calming and soothing

Uncluttered spaces, with natural products in our home is better for our mental health. Most people know that a tidy home helps make a tidy mind. If you’re applying principles of colour psychology to create the right mood when you’re choosing colour schemes for a room, then picking lighting accessories and furniture that are predominantly made from natural materials is a good choice, since they can act as neutrals.

 

What Natural Materials Can Be Used In Lighting?

There are so many types of materials that can be used in lighting fixtures – and although wood is the obvious option, there are many others that you might not have even considered.

  • Rattan
  • Bamboo
  • Cork
  • Hessian
  • Wicker
  • Seagrass
  • Feathers
  • Stone
  • Silk
  • Cotton

What Types Of Lighting Is Available In Natural Materials?

You can find natural materials incorporated into most styles of lighting, and whether you’re looking for ceiling lights, wall lights, floor or table lamps, there are styles that feature all of them.

 

Our top picks for natural lighting

We’ve been through and picked out our absolute favourite options that feature natural materials from our catalogue of lighting. They’re in no particular order – but for each category, we’ve picked three great options for each type of light.

 

Ceiling Lights

Ceiling lights are absolutely essential to get right – they’re usually right in the centre of the room, after all! Natural materials tend to err on the side of discreet, rather than being extravagant, which makes them a great choice if you want other elements of your décor to shine.

Edit Bambu Ceiling Pendant Light -Rattan Lucide Etta Large Ceiling Pendant in light wood

Our top picks for ceiling lights include the Bambu ceiling pendant, which is made from rattan, this gorgeously simple ceiling pendant light (don’t forget to order your decorative bulbs!), and the Casper ceiling pendant.

 

Table Lamps

Wherever you’re using table lamps – on bedside tables, on desks, or tables throughout the home, there are styles to suit. The Lucide Ramzi table lamp is an on-trend, yet classic shape, and has a natural linen shade that suits décor throughout the home, while for a more edgy look, the Jantine table lamp in rattan is a perfect choice. For a fun nod to the natural (made from ceramic) we adore this cactus table lamp.

Lucide Ramzi Ceramic Table Lamp kenjiro rattan table lamp lucide cactus table lamp

 

Floor Lamps

There are some gorgeous floor lamps made from natural materials. We love the Iluzzia Baracoa floor lamp, made from rattan but incorporating the simplicity of white. For a tougher look, the Joshua floor lamp is made from solid wood, with a metal cage shade, while for a softer texture, yet still natural lighting option, feathers are an option – we adore the Lucide Goosy floor lamp, and there’s a ceiling pendant too.

Iluzzia Baracoa Floor Lamp in Natural joshua floor lamp goosy floor lamp

 

Wall lights

When it comes to wall lights, there are some gorgeous lighting options that incorporate natural elements, such as this wall spotlight, which a wooden back plate. We absolutely adore the Edit spectacle flush wall light, which is made from rattan, to create some drama too – look at how fantastic those shadows are! Finally, for an understated and rustic look, we love the Lucide wall light with plug. Super easy to install, with absolutely no wiring required, it doesn’t get much simpler.

posio wall lightspectacle wall lightlucide fix wall light

Is Using Natural Materials For Lighting Really More Sustainable?

Using more natural products in your home is likely to always be a winner, but the answer to whether something is more sustainable because it is made from natural products isn’t always simple.

Whichever type of lighting (or other accessories!) that you choose for your home, the best way to do so is to pick the light fittings that you absolutely love. If you decide on pieces that you don’t truly love, you’re likely to end up buying replacements year after year, which still isn’t great for the planet – even if they’re made from natural materials. If you truly love a piece made from plastic, and you’re likely to love it for years and years, that is likely to be a better option for the planet than replacing pieces that are made from natural products, when you take into account manufacturing and transportation demands.

Getting the balance right is tricky, but ultimately, choosing good quality items that you absolutely adore (and that you’re likely to for some time to come) is likely to be a better option for the environment.

 

Our Final Thoughts

Whether you’re shopping for lighting with sustainability in mind or not, deciding that you want lighting in your home to be made from natural products is a great decision. There are an increasing number of incredibly chic styles that can either complement, or contrast with the home décor that you’ve selected.

 

As always, if we’ve inspired you with this post, and you’re choosing lighting made from natural materials, tag us on your Instagram posts (@online_lighting) when you’ve installed your piece – we love to see them!

 

Reena Reeves

Reena Reeves is a writer and editor with 15 years’ experiencing working in publishing and digital media. She has a degree in Journalism and has worked for publications such as Smash Hits magazine, OK! Magazine and The Daily Express. Reena has been writing about lighting since early 2017 and has supported us with website copy, product descriptions and articles on lighting trends and commercial lighting solutions.

The Best Lighting For Interior Design Trends In 2022

When decorating the home, lighting is often left until last, but lighting fixtures should highlight the features of a room in much the same way that a great piece of jewellery does for an outfit. The overall effect might work without it, but the perfect accessories, and the right lighting take a room (or an outfit!) to the next level. For 2022, there are some fabulous interior design trends to capitalise on if you’re decorating your home, or if you’re simply switching out the accessories for a different look. Here’s our round-up of the best lighting options to complement the interior design trends of 2022.

 

Trending Interior Design Styles For 2022

 

Trends that designers are excited about for this year include:

 

Japandi style interior

 

Japandi – the gorgeous fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese interior design. Mix pale woods with dark timbers, textured soft furnishings with accessories and lighting created from natural materials such as bamboo.

 

colour drenching pink interior design

 

Colour drenching – using a single colour throughout the room, from floor to ceiling. Paint walls and ceilings, and find carpets and rugs in the same shade, then find furniture and lighting that matches.

 

pattern play interior design trend

 

Bold pattern play – this is the antithesis of minimalist interior design. Patterned wallpaper is clashed against rugs, soft furnishings, and lighting accessories to create a massive visual impact.

 

 

Classic chic – the height of timeless sophistication. Classic furniture that lasts is great for the environment – and sustainability is also massively on-trend – so choose from materials such as solid wood and hardwearing leather for a home with enduring appeal.

 

cottagecore interior trend

 

Cottagecore – the comfortable, lived-in countryside look emerged on Instagram throughout the pandemic, to provide a feeling of safety through the hard times, and continues to be popular this year. Combine chintzy prints, natural woods, and functional pieces.

 

The Statement Piece

 

statement glass chandelier

 

Big, bold, and beautiful is on trend when it comes to lighting this year – and whether you’re completely redesigning a space, or you’re simply updating your home accessories, then statement lighting definitely needs to be on your radar. The great thing about statement lighting is that there are lighting options that will work with almost every interior design trend this year.

 

Edit Rain glass chandelier Edit Manufacture 5 arm ceiling pendant Lavello 9 Arm Ceiling Pendant Light - Black

 

A sparkling glass chandelier might immediately spring to mind when we think ‘statement lighting’, but if your taste in interior design leans towards more minimalist styles, look for industrial pendants that incorporate mesh, or cage designs that mix different metals. In modern spaces, try a large ceiling pendant that brings the attention to the centre of the space.

 

The Modern Classic

 

Classic style interior

 

If you’re decorating a space that you want to look great for a long time, then a classic décor style, and lighting fixtures just make sense, since it won’t date nearly as quickly. The great thing about modern classic styles is that because you’re not changing them every year or two as trends change, you can invest in high quality pieces that will go the distance – which is also much, much better for the environment. Alongside Chesterfield style sofas and solid wood furniture, choose classic lighting such as semi-flush ceiling lights with fabric shades, floor lamps in modern colours and materials such as black and chrome, or add wall lights in timeless shapes but unexpected colours or materials.

Edit Basic semi flush ceiling light Edit London floor lamp Edit Pure wall light

 

The Sleek Silhouette

 

sleek interior design style

 

 

In rooms where the décor is the focus, you need lighting that doesn’t distract from the overall effect. Long, simple lines are the key to this look – and generally, these types of lights are more contemporary than classic. Cascading ceiling pendants with exposed bulbs are ideal in spaces with higher ceilings, while simple bar pendants in gold and white finishes add a touch of sophistication, and Searchlight LED table lamps in satin silver provide the light you need for reading and close-up work, without the clutter.

 

Edit Cable 3 light cascade pendant Edit Link 2 light bar ceiling pendant Edit Linear LED floor lamp

 

 

The Playful Accessory

 

playful interior design style

 

Nobody said that 2022 was going to be boring – and your lighting definitely shouldn’t be. There are plenty of lighting fixtures that feature different metals, materials, and colours, so whichever style of interior design you’re inspired by, you can find pieces that look great and won’t break the bank.

Even if your taste gravitates towards simpler styles, or you don’t want to change your lighting fixtures at the moment, those bar pendants, wall lights, and floor lamps can be changed up easily by switching the bulbs for a completely different effect. Look for spiral filaments, candle and flame shaped bulbs, and smart bulbs that can change colour on demand and connect to your smart home device.

Envirolight spiral filament globe bulb Google Nest smart light bulb and hub kit Bent tip candle bulb

The Subtle Glow

 

ambient lighting interior

 

We’ve all had a tough few years, and we’re all focused on making our homes sanctuaries that we can retreat to when the world feels tough. There’s a huge trend towards making spaces in our home as peaceful as possible, and for lighting to be as unobtrusive as possible – almost the polar opposite of the statement lighting trend. This trend is great for multipurpose spaces, since the lighting is assimilated into the space, and is unobtrusive, rather than being a stand-out feature of the room. Flexibility with your lighting options is key too, so simple, recessed ceiling downlights are a great place to start, then add flush wall lights such as this one in amber and antique gold to create a gorgeous glow. Finish with LED strip lights in strategic positions to highlight particular furniture, and to add to the ambient light of the room.

 

Tagra Syndeo 12V 48W tape light Edit Bank glass flush wall light Edit deep recessed fixed downlight

 

Our Final Thoughts

 

neutral home interior design trend

 

Our homes should be our place to feel safe, secure, and relaxed, but that doesn’t mean that they should be boring or dull – far from it. So when choosing interior design styles for your home this year – whether you go all-in on a trend, or just pick a few accessories to create a subtle nod to it – don’t neglect your lighting. Having a range of lighting in a room to create the right mood will always be a good idea, and means you’ll be able to show off your sense of style, and the different effects the room has at different points in the day and night.

 

Reena Reeves

Reena Reeves is a writer and editor with 15 years’ experiencing working in publishing and digital media. She has a degree in Journalism and has worked for publications such as Smash Hits magazine, OK! Magazine and The Daily Express. Reena has been writing about lighting since early 2017 and has supported us with website copy, product descriptions and articles on lighting trends and commercial lighting solutions.

A Guide To Buying LED Light Bulbs

guide to LED lighting

Learn all about LED bulbs and how to buy the right ones for your home

Energy efficient LED bulbs are now the new norm. They are no longer the expensive alternative option to the humble halogen or incandescent light bulb and offer so many great advantages. For a start, they’re much cheaper to run than traditional bulbs and can help save a whopping 90% on electricity costs once you make the switch. Think about how many bulbs you use around your home in each room. This alone can make a huge difference towards reducing overall carbon emissions. Then there’s the convenience of them as it can be many years between bulb changes, so it will be rare to have to replace them. They’re much safer, too, as they don’t produce heat and many can be recycled when no longer needed.

 

There is now a huge choice in LED bulb types, cap fittings, light colour and brightness, even a choice of devices from which to control your bulbs. Whilst this variety and choice certainly gives us lots of flexibility, it can also be overwhelming. Without the right information you could easily end up buying the wrong bulb.

 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know when it comes to choosing LED bulbs for just about everywhere around your home and beyond (click below to jump straight to that section):

What is LED?

LED (light emitting diode) is a relatively new, electronic light source that is far superior in terms of energy efficiency and life span, when compared with older lighting such as halogen and incandescent. Whilst the very first LEDs were developed in the 1960s, it wasn’t until the 1990s that they became more widely used, yet were considered an expensive alternative to traditional bulbs. Since then, the price of LEDs has come down a lot, making them far more accessible. LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours, so in most cases it will be years before they have to be replaced. As they don’t produce any heat, they are much safer to use than older lightbulbs. Many can be recycled at the end of their long life span as they don’t contain mercury or lead components.

How much do LEDs cost to run?

One of the biggest advantages of using LEDs is that they can shave money off energy costs very easily. They only use a tiny fraction of the energy of a similar older style bulb so can help save around 90% on electricity bills after regular use. These savings soon add up when you consider the lighting used in a whole house, outdoors, in the garage or even an office.

How long do LEDs last?

LEDs do have huge life spans with some bulbs managing to last up to 50,000 hours. This is thanks to an efficient thermal management system inside the bulb meaning it removes any heat, which helps to preserve the life of the bulb. As incandescent and halogen bulbs became hotter the more they were used, they quickly burnt out and needed to be replaced often.

As LED bulbs are now available with a wide range of different caps, it’s important to know which cap fitting you need, so that you can choose the right one for your light fitting. Below is  a guide to the eight most common caps that are available, to help you work out exactly what you need.

LED Bulb Cap Fittings

As LED bulbs are now available with a wide range of different caps, it’s important to know which cap fitting you need, so that you can choose the right one for your light fitting. Below is  a guide to the eight most common caps that are available, to help you work out exactly what you need.

Bayonet cap

The classic bayonet cap is easily the most recognisable of all bulb caps. It features two signature pins either side of the metal base and can be pushed then twisted into place easily. 22mm in diameter, bayonet caps will fit into most everyday light fittings. The cap design makes them stay in place without any threads which prevents them from falling out if knocked.

Uses: Floor lamps, ceiling lights, multi-use all around the home.

Edison Screw Cap

The Edison screw cap is a versatile cap for all around the home, found on a huge variety of light bulbs. The metal spiral shape means it is twisted easily into place. 27mm in diameter, Edison screw caps will fit into most everyday light fittings.

Uses: Floor lamps, ceiling lights, various uses around the home.

Spotlight Cap (GU10)

The GU10 spotlight cap is one of two classic fittings found on a spotlight bulb. The small cap features two pins with flat feet on the end so they can be pushed and twisted into place easily. This common cap fitting can be found on a wide range of LED spotlight bulbs, many of which provide an exact replacement for halogen spotlights.

 

Uses: Kitchen unit lighting, downlighting, track lighting, recessed lighting.

Capsule

Capsule caps are usually found on a small compact bulb that is used in specialist equipment such as projectors, decorative lights or in certain kitchen appliances. It features two small pins at the bottom allowing it to be easily slotted in the fitting.

Uses: Small fittings and kitchen appliances, display cabinets, covered lights.

Small Bayonet Cap

small bayonet cap is a common fitting found in many different small LED bulbs, suitable for all around the home especially in more compact light fittings. Using the simple push and twist mechanism, the 15mm diameter cap is held in place firmly once fitted properly.

Uses: Ceiling lights, desk lamps, smart lamps.

Small Screw Cap

The small Edison screw cap can be found in many types of smaller LED bulbs such as candles and golf balls styles, often used in compact light fittings. The diameter measures 14mm cross the cap and it is easy to fit with a simple screw in motion.

Uses: Table lamps, smaller decorative lights, chandeliers.

Spotlight Cap (MR16/MR11)

The MR16 spotlight cap features two straight metal pins at the base of the cap which will slot into the fitting readily. This cap is found on a wide range of low voltage classic spotlight LED lightbulbs, suitable for use in kitchens and recessed lighting all around the home.

Uses: kitchen unit lighting, downlighting, track lighting.

Tube Bulbs

LED tube caps feature a two pin fitting, with caps located at each end of the LED tube and 5mm between each of the pins. This type of cap is commonly found on smaller LED tubes used under kitchen cabinets as well as in workshops and replaces fluorescent tube lighting.

Uses: Garages, workshops, kitchens (under cabinets), display cabinet lighting, aquariums.

Bulb Shapes

The choice of bulbs shapes and styles now available is larger than ever before. Many bulbs have now been specially designed in a decorative finish, so they can be seen once in their fitting. The sheer choice can be confusing, especially if you don’t know which shape bulb should go in which light fitting. To help you make the right decision, here’s a rundown of six popular light bulb shapes.

GLS/ Traditional

GLS or traditional is the most recognisable and popular shaped bulb on the planet, sure to be found in homes everywhere. Fitted with either a classic bayonet or screw cap, they are suitable for ceiling light fittings, pendants, floor lamps and lots more. The choice of colour temperatures, dimmable or non-dimmable, lumens and smart features is huge with this type of bulb, so they are very versatile.

Uses: Ceiling lights, pendants, floor lamps, table lamps.

Globe

The globe shaped bulb is a stylish modern take on an older style of bulb, available in a range of colour temperatures, lumens, and finishes. Many decorative LED globe bulbs feature a visible filament so they complement larger exposed light fittings. They are usually fitted with a bayonet or screw cap.

Uses: Large pendants, ceiling lights, floor lamps.

Candle

Designed in the exact shape of a candle flame, these decorative candle bulbs are made to be see and often used in fixtures such as grand chandeliers and ceiling lights with multiple arms. With either a screw or bayonet cap, they are very easy to fit and are widely available in a variety of colour temperatures, finishes and lumens.

Uses: Small table/bedside lamps, chandeliers, ceiling lights.

Golfball

These small rounded bulbs are ideal for space-saving light fittings, such as small pendants, ceiling lights and lamps. Golfball bulbs usually come with a bayonet or screw cap and are a great bulb for a wide variety of light fittings all around the home.

Uses: Small ceiling lights, table/desk lamps.

Squirrel Cage

These stylish teardrop or pear-shaped LED bulbs are decorative and designed to be used in fittings that will display them, such as glass or wire caged pendants. Many Squirrel Cage bulbs also feature visible filaments as part of the design. They come with either a bayonet or screw cap fitting and dimmable options are available.

Uses: Ceiling lights, wall lights, desk lamps.

Reflector (GU10/MR16)

This shaped bulb is so named as the inside has a reflective finish, creating a wide beam of light. LED reflectors have replaced old style halogen reflectors, but use a tiny fraction of the energy for the same output. They sit recessed into the ceiling and have a bayonet or screw cap.

Uses: Spotlights in kitchens, hallways, security lighting.

Brightness

When we think about the brightness of light bulbs we are used to thinking about watts or wattage. Watts refer to the amount of energy a bulb uses – so the higher the wattage, the more power the bulb would be using. However, now that LED bulbs use hardly any energy at all, we use lumens (lm) instead of watts, as an indication of brightness.

Brightness in Lumens - LED Bulb available at Online Lighting

The lumen output tells you the brightness of a bulb. In simple terms, lumens are a measure of the total amount of visible light to the human eye from a light source. The higher the lumen rating, the brighter your light will appear. The number of lumens you’ll need will entirely depend on the type of bulb you’re buying, the fixture it’s being used for, and the size and shape of the room where it will be placed. There is no right answer for this, as only you can decide how bright you want your bulbs

When you are next shopping for lightbulbs, look at the packaging as you will notice that the lumens may be listed alongside what their equivalent in watts would have been, to give you an indication of power.

Colour Temperature

Colour temperature is important to consider when deciding on which bulb should go where in your home. Generally, warmer light with yellow tones, is suited to creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere. Cooler lighting with bluer tones, is best for areas where you need to feel alert, energised and on the ball.

The colour temperature of a bulb is measured in Kelvins. The Kelvin Scale runs in the opposite direction to the temperature scale so the warmer the glow colour, the lower the number of Kelvins.

Warm white colour temperature scale - Online Lighting

Warm White

Cool white colour temperature scale - Online Lighting

Cool White

Daylight colour temperature scale - Online Lighting

Daylight

When replacing a bulb do remember to take note of the Kelvins as well as the brightness and the wattage. If you don’t, you could end up with mismatched bulbs next to each other on the ceiling or in a multi arm fixture. This won’t look right and you won’t be utilising your lighting to the best of its ability.

For example, if you want to choose bulbs for the living room or bedrooms, you’d go for warm white in ceiling lights and lamps. For an office space, garage or bathroom where lots of focussed tasks are happening, you might opt for cool white bulbs in desk lamps and spotlights. Daylight bulbs, which mimic sunlight and produce crisp, invigorating light, work best in garages or for security lighting. For these areas, rather than standard bulbs you might choose LED tubes or floodlights.

Colour temperature for each room - Online Lighting

Beam Angles

The beam and direction of the light emitted from LED bulbs is almost as important as all the other factors. If you want to highlight a certain area or an object (maybe a framed print or certain corner of the room) then opt for low beam angled bulbs. These work especially well in smaller spaces when fitted closely together.

For larger more open rooms, it’s best to go with a bulb that has a wide beam angle. It will produce vast light that sprawls across a space.

It’s also worth noting that different materials can give different results when thinking about beam angles. For instance, a glass bulb will produce a higher beam angle than a plastic bulb.

Spot Beam Angle - Online Lighting
Wide Flood Beam Angle - Online Lighting
Very Wide Beam Angle - Online Lighting

Smart Bulbs

Smart bulbs will truly elevate your lighting to the next level. Choose from various colour options that can be operated via WIFI, Bluetooth even your voice activated devices. There are smart bulbs with speakers installed, motion sensors, and even bulbs to encourage houseplants to grow.  There are so many exciting options to delve into.

The Phillips Hue white and colour changing LED bulbs come complete with the Hue Bridge and dimmer switch, ready to set up your connected lighting. Once installed it can be controlled via your mobile phone using an app and is compatible with Google Home, Amazon Echo and Apple Homekit devices.

A remote control for smart bulbs is a key piece of kit included in iDual’s pack of colour changing LED dimmable bulbs. Choose from the many colour, dimming, and of course on and off options, all accessible from the palm of your hand.

Some smart bulbs include the option to use your mobile phone’s Bluetooth to operate, such as the Smart + by Osram. Simply replace your existing bulbs with these, connect to your device and enjoy controlling your lighting using your own voice commands.

Take the fuss out of outdoor lighting by choosing LED bulbs with a built-in dusk to dawn sensor, such as this warm white LED decorative filament bulb by Lucide. Fit into your outdoor wall lights then sit back and relax as it automatically switches on, as the sun goes down and produces ambient lighting.

Dusk to dawn sensor bulb - Lucide and Online Lighting

Dimmables

Having the option to dim the lights is perfect if you want flexibility from your living spaces. Afterall you might need bright lighting for working from home, but much softer lighting for dinner in the kitchen/dining room. However, not all LED bulbs can be used with dimmers, so do plan ahead if this is something you might require in the future. Look out for a special symbol on the light bulb’s packaging which will indicate whether it is dimmable or not.

Whilst some older style dimmer switches will work with dimmable LED bulbs, some will not and they can cause issues. They can make the lights flicker or create a buzzing sound. If this does happen you will need to ensure you use an LED bulb and compatible dimmer switch designed for use with LED. If you do choose dimmable LEDs, the good news is you don’t need a dimmer switch for them to work.

At Online Lighting we have a great selection of LED bulbs to suit your needs. Whether you want to transform your living spaces with cutting edge technology or create cosy lighting in the baby’s nursery, we are sure to have just the solution for you. If you have any questions about products or need some expert advice, why not email our friendly customer service team at customerservice@onlinelighting.co.uk.

 

Reena Reeves

Reena Reeves is a writer and editor with 15 years’ experiencing working in publishing and digital media. She has a degree in Journalism and has worked for publications such as Smash Hits magazine, OK! Magazine and The Daily Express. Reena has been writing about lighting since early 2017 and has supported us with website copy, product descriptions and articles on lighting trends and commercial lighting solutions.

A Guide To Choosing Recessed Downlights

downlights

When we talk about recessed lighting or downlights, it is the type of small light that sits inside the ceiling (also sometimes known as spotlights).  This type of lighting is clean, modern, chic and incredibly versatile, offering coverage in even the most awkward spaces allowing you to customise the layout to your room. As well as general lighting in the kitchen, living room, bathroom or utility room, downlights can also be used to subtly accent an area or feature of a room. The beauty of downlights, among their many attributes is that they are unobtrusive and blend seamlessly into the background, whilst creating ambience around your living spaces.

Planning Ahead

Before you rush out and purchase lots of downlights it is important to plan ahead a little. Take some time to consider the following which will affect the number of lights you will need to buy.

  1. Room size
  2. Ceiling height – is it particularly high or low?
  3. Open plan or enclosed space
  4. Function of space
A Guide to Recessed Downlights

How Many Lights For Each Space

If you’re lucky, you may have a brilliant electrician who can look at your home and advise how many downlights you may need for each of the rooms. If not then our handy steps below will give you all the information you need.

Multiply the width of your room by the depth to work out the square footage.

A Guide to Recessed Downlights

Example: 10ft x 15ft = 150ft2 

Multiply the square footage by 1.5 (2.5 for “task lighting” areas*).

A Guide to Recessed Downlights

Example: 150 x 1.5 = 225W   

A large open space will require you to divide it up and calculate it in sections.

* Areas that need task lighting will naturally require more lighting, so for these rooms you would multiply for 2.5 instead of 1.5.

Divide the total wattage by the bulb wattage to work out how many fittings you’ll need.

A Guide to Recessed Downlights

Example: 225 ÷ 40 (Wattage equivalent) = 5.63

So we would need 6 Downlights with a 40 Watt equivalent or higher bulb 

This information is intended as a guide only and if you are in any doubt, do consult an experienced installer for help.

Spacing

Is it vital to allow enough space between each downlight to ensure there aren’t too many or worse still, too few in each area. As a rule of thumb they should be roughly 1.5 to 2 feet away from the walls and 3 to 4 feet between each light. However, if your room happens to be on the smaller side, these numbers will be different. A handy trick is to divide the ceiling height by two – so if your ceiling is 12 foot high your lights should be about 6 feet apart.

Ceiling Height

Downlights are a great option for rooms with low ceilings and won’t take up the space that pendants would (you won’t have to worry about dusting intricate light fittings, either). Consider using a downlight that has a broad beam of light for smaller spaces, as this variety is designed to fill the space with light. Narrower downlights deliver light in a more concentrated beam, which might work better for rooms with higher ceilings, where the desired effect is to highlight rather than create ambience.

Light Intensity

The intensity of downlights is measured in lux and is an important factor, so take time to consider how they will be used. In the living room for example, you probably don’t want the brightest, most intense lighting but in an office or above your kitchen worktops, you will want to ramp things up. As a guide, a living room would only require around 150-200 lx (lux) yet task lighting (such as in the bathroom, over your shaving mirror) would work best at around 300 lx.

 A great solution for varying the light intensity in your living spaces is using dimmers. Not only will they save you energy but they can help transform a room and are essential for mood lighting. Dimmers will afford you lots of flexibility, allowing you to work in the kitchen as well as entertain and relax.

Fire Rating and Safety

If you live in an apartment or flat it is vital that you choose downlights that are fire rated. This means the lights have been put through a series of tests guaranteeing their safety in the event of a fire.

If you’re using downlights in a bathroom they must have a rating of at least IP44 to ensure their safety around moisture and liquid.

Shop Downlights Below

 

 

Reena Reeves

Reena Reeves is a writer and editor with 15 years’ experiencing working in publishing and digital media. She has a degree in Journalism and has worked for publications such as Smash Hits magazine, OK! Magazine and The Daily Express. Reena has been writing about lighting since early 2017 and has supported us with website copy, product descriptions and articles on lighting trends and commercial lighting solutions.