Want Ceiling Lights? You’ll Be Surprised How Many You Need!

Ceiling lights usually come with a pendant type fitting, letting them cast light over a broad area in a room. We often assume that each room needs one light in the centre, but the reality is quite different. In fact, large rooms may need more.

While ceiling lighting is inexpensive and a great way to improve illumination, it’s important to do the job properly. That means spacing the lights apart correctly so that your light fittings have the best impact.

Typical Spacing

Ordinarily, ceiling lights should be spaced 90 to 120 cm apart. This is the optimal amount for even light throughout a domestic property. Kitchens and bathrooms require more concentrated light, while you can space lights further apart in your hallway.

The quality of light will also be changed by the type of bulbs you are using. Energy efficiency is critical; you’ll find a range of shapes and sizes in stores, all more efficient than old-fashioned bulbs.

Modern LED bulbs use a tiny amount of electricity, and they are suitable for any room or fitting. Beware of cheap LED bulbs that may fall apart or crack, since live connections in light fittings are extremely dangerous. Also, check the colour frequency; you need a good quality warm white bulb, rather than a cool white or a bulb that gives off a pinkish hue.

Overall, choosing good quality, branded bulbs is the right way to go. If you need any assistance with LED technology, we’d be happy to talk you through it.

Tricks With Light

Initially, some customers are disappointed that they need more lights than they expected, and they feel that this may make the room look unbalanced. However, this is where lighting can actually be used to make the room more functional.

If you need two lights in your dining kitchen, why not position one over the dining table or island? This can help to zone the kitchen and create an additional work space. In a long living room, place one light over a comfortable chair or kids’ play area, or split the room and have a table at one end.

Considering Height

If your ceilings are low, spotlights may be a better option than ceiling lights, because pendants often get in the way. Unless you have a very short cord (which doesn’t always look nice), the pendant might get bumped by tall people (or their arms or legs).

Spotlights are no longer expensive to run, in the advent of LED bulbs, and we can install them in any ceiling providing the insulation above allows space. In your living room, consider wall lights, which can light a room evenly without getting in the way.

More Advice

Lighting should be considered as part of a home decoration project, both in terms of the positioning of the lights and the overall feel of the home. Whether you need a couple of new lights or a complete rethink and renovation, we’d be pleased to help you achieve the look you crave. Contact us for a spotlight installation quotation.