Choosing to install recessed spotlights in the living room, instead of a suspension or a classic ceiling light , brings a contemporary touch to our interiors. But this decision imposes an important reflection on your installation, generally requires work, and raises many hesitations.
Opting for this type of establishment is an investment that will pay off over several years. It is therefore necessary to be attentive to the smallest detail and to provide the right answer to all the questions that may arise.
What type of recessed spots to choose? How much power do you need? What type of light source to choose? How many spots to install to get efficient lighting?
Follow the guide for a successful installation of recessed spots .
1. CHOOSE THE TYPE OF SPOTLIGHTS TO BE RECESSED
The first step is to determine the type of spotlights needed to meet your lighting needs while still being able to create the mood you want in your room. The luminous efficiency will indeed depend on the recessed spots that you have chosen. There are different kinds: high voltage halogen, very low voltage halogen or integrated LED spotlights. Let’s take a look at them in more detail.
High voltage halogen recessed spotlights (220 V)
The most common high voltage spots are connected directly to your electrical arrival. Usually fitted with a GU10 socket, they can be fitted with the type of bulb of your choice (LED, compact fluorescent or halogen). The high voltage models are the ones that best restore light.
But it is certainly the most expensive solution in the long run.
They can be fitted with GU10 or E27 type bulbs. These spots connect directly to 220-230 volts without any other equipment.
Very low voltage halogen recessed spotlights (ELV)
The very low voltage spotlights , 12 V, have a longer lifespan. They are more discreet, because their body is inserted in the ceiling. For safety reasons, a transformer is essential, not to be installed too close to your spot. Also pay attention to the heat it produces.
COMPACT FLUORESCENT RECESSED SPOTLIGHTS
Compact fluorescent recessed spots consume little energy and heat little, but they take a little longer to light up. A remark that may be important: they are not afraid of humidity.
LED RECESSED SPOTLIGHTS
LED recessed spots have this particularity that they hardly protrude from the false ceiling in which you are going to insert them. They will therefore be useful for a small space, above a piece of furniture for example, or to provide you with a starry sky atmosphere. The bulbs of LED recessed spots also have an extremely long lifespan , are environmentally friendly , and do not consume a lot of electricity. Their use is therefore ideal for saving money in the long term, even if they cost more to purchase. With an LED recessed spotlight, you are investing for around thirty years.
OPTION: SPOTS WITH DIRECTIONAL ANGLES OR SPOTS WITH REFLECTOR
You can also choose spots with open directional angles, from 120 to 140 degrees, for a harmonious light distribution, and to better illuminate certain areas of your living room, such as the reading corner. Or opt for spotlights with reflector. These two types of spots will offer you comfort that you will not regret. You can of course combine different approaches. You will also have the choice between different shapes (round, square, rectangle, etc.). Different colors are available (black, gray, white, blue, etc.). Likewise, you can choose between several materials (chrome, glass, gypsum, etc.). All styles exist, from the most contemporary to the most traditional.
2. DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF SPOTS NEEDED
Your second step will be to determine the number of spots you will need, depending on the type of spots chosen, to illuminate your entire space. Of course, this number will vary depending on the dimensions of your room. Also take into account the arrangement of the furniture and the color of the floor to achieve optimal lighting, as this affects the brightness.
In a living room, to benefit from homogeneous lighting , count at least 300 lux per square meter , which will provide you with a warm white light of 2700 Kelvin. This will give you a nice warm atmospherefor living rooms. For a relaxing atmosphere, you can turn on more spots. If you want to create a subdued atmosphere, simply bet on 50 lux per square meter.
AND CONCRETELY, WHAT DOES IT GIVE?
Examples for a 25 m² room.
EXAMPLE 1
If you have chosen 1000 lumen LED bulbs , you will need 8 spots to get 300 lux.
EXAMPLE 2
If you have chosen very low voltage 35 watt spots , you will need 23 spots to get 300 lux.
EXAMPLE 3
If you have opted for halogen spots of 50 watts , 11 spots will be necessary for you to have 300 lux.
3. CHOOSE BETWEEN RECESSED AND SURFACE SPOTLIGHTS
Take this essential point into account: you will be forced to install your recessed spotlights in a false ceiling, which may already exist or will have to be created. If you don’t want to, you’ll be forced to install a projecting spotlight system.
You will need to provide a minimum distance between the ceiling and the false ceiling of about 10 cm for high or low voltage spots, and a minimum distance of 50 cm between your spots and all flammable materials in order to avoid a risk of overheated. However, there are solutions to avoid contact between your spotlights and false ceiling insulation.
Also note that some LED spotlightsultra thin can fit into a much smaller false ceiling, only about 4 or 5 cm. This can be a good option if your ceiling height is relatively low.
4. OPT FOR A DECORATIVE LAYOUT OF THE SPOTS
We do not recommend a too straight distribution of your spots to avoid an airport or hospital hall type effect. So make sure that there is not too rigid a grid of your ceiling. To boost the lighting and the ceiling, you can create well-distributed areas according to the future layout of your living room. You can for example draw a rectangle of spots above your dining table, another above the living room area, and a third above the television to mark these spaces. You also have the option of aligning a row of spotson the circulation areas of your room. Place your spotlights so that they illuminate in front of your sofa or chairs rather than behind or directly above.
5. VALIDATE THE PLACEMENT OF THE SPOTS
The last stage of your preparation, the phase of the installation plan with the furniture is essential to adjust the locations of the spotlights on the ceiling. On the plan that you develop for the room, do not hesitate to represent everything by pastilles of different colors. You will thus materialize the future locations of spots and furniture and verify the consistency of your installation. This will ensure that you take your living spaces into account.
Check once again that your spots will not be too far from each other, to avoid shadow areas, and that everything will be in accordance with your lighting requirements in your living room. Then, after having validated all these steps, you can finally tackle the drilling work and the installation of your recessed spots.