Ceiling lights are a key part of the illumination of any room. The options are extensive, ranging from simple downlights through to chandeliers, pendants and recessed or linear LED lights. However, the most common types of ceiling lights are round or square and sit flat on the ceiling. Many ceiling lights are designed to blend into the decor and are often partnered with feature lights to complete a lighting plan.

How to choose ceiling lights

The first thing to consider when choosing ceiling lights is the intended use of the room, and the mood or moods you may want to create at different times in that room. The style and size of lighting is also an important decision and can play an integral role in the overall design aesthetic of the space. Placement is essential and will depend on the use of the room. For example, if a workstation, desk or reading nook exists in a room, ensuring that area is suitably illuminated is important. 

Another thing to consider when choosing ceiling lights is the likely need to alter the amount of light in a room when it is used for different activities. For this reason, its generally always advisable to consider ensuring the lights can be dimmable. 

Pendant lights

Generally, pendant lights tend to be simple, although there are many decorative designs and finishes available. Pendant lights are often chosen for their functional ability combined with their innately inconspicuous nature. Pendant lights are commonly favoured for areas such as hallways and foyers where they provide a key function but do not form part of the main design features.

Recessed ceiling lights

Recessed lights are popular in commercial buildings and in contemporary homes. Recessed ceiling lights generally form part of a wider lighting plan and are specified in groups across space. 

LED ceiling lights

Changing ceiling light bulbs is fast becoming a thing of the past with integrated long-life LED lights - many of which can last around 30,000 hours without needing to be changed - around 10 years of use.

LED lights are also some of the most energy-efficient available and are therefore a popular option. 

Downlights

Downlights are the foundation of any good lighting plan. The primary purpose of downlights is to provide ambient light in a space. Often discreet in appearance, downlights blend in with other types of lighting such as linear or track lights. 

Used both indoors and outdoors, LED and other types of downlights are a great way to create an accent or highlight an architectural feature, a piece of art or a design object, as well as a way to create a sense of drama in space. They’re also used to provide an ambient lighting solution, commonly in living areas. Kitchen downlights are a popular part of many interior lighting schemes, as are recessed downlights.

How to choose LED downlights

Using LED recessed downlights is a common way to form an energy-efficient lighting scheme, with modern LED downlights (those made after about 2012) generally provide a much more energy-efficient lighting solution than earlier models. 

Choosing the right LED downlight is about understanding the type of lighting required in the space, and how it combines with any other luminaires in the area. 

Light colour

LED downlights are available in different colours. A warm white LED, for example, will create a softer, comfortable light in the home. In contrast, cool whites are generally used for task lighting where good contrast is required, such as kitchens and workspaces.

Light angle

The beam angle of the downlight chosen will impact how far the light spreads from the bulb. For areas where the light needs to spread further, beam angles of 90 degrees or higher are generally preferable. For downlights being used to highlight an architectural feature, narrower beam angles of around 30 degrees are generally more appropriate.

Brightness

The higher the lumens, the brighter the light output. One thing to consider with downlights and required brightness is the beam angle. Those with higher beam angles require higher lumens to maintain a consistent brightness in the area they are illuminating.

Halogen downlights

Halogen downlights have primarily been replaced with LED options due to the efficiency of LED lighting compared to the more traditional halogen bulb. LEDs also have a much longer lifespan than halogens. 

Downlight design

Downlights are vast in terms of style, and cover everything from linear to square, round, opaque and elaborate in design. Combining the preferred design with the correct functional outputs will achieve the best outcome in any space. 

Find out more about outdoor downlights now.