2021 ᐈ

Types and features

There are three main types of spots, which differ in design and installation method. These include overhead rotating, built-in and complexly combined structures.

Built-in

Built-in structures are known to many as adjustable spotlights. In this case, the direction of the light can be slightly changed. Built-in spot spots are used to illuminate small functional areas. To achieve uniform illumination, you can slightly adjust the light flow.

The dimensions of the spot devices are small, and installation requires only making a small hole in the suspended ceiling. Ceiling recessed luminaires are installed using spring clamps.

Invoices

Overhead rotary structures differ from built-in lamps only in the installation method. According to the installation method, they most closely resemble sconces. A special bracket is used to secure them. It is attached to the ceiling, and a lamp is attached to it using screws.

Their advantage is that there is no need to cut a hole in the ceiling. This will allow you to change designs to others at any time.

Complexly combined

The devices differ from spot ones only in that one housing can contain several light sources that can be directed independently. Such designs are most similar to chandeliers. Their main advantage is the ability to effectively illuminate all rooms and direct streams of light even to remote corners of the room.

In addition to the above types, spots are divided according to the shape of the base. There are spots on a bar, as well as designs on a square, round or flat base.

Differences between spots according to the method of attachment

Translated from English, spot means “spot”. This very accurately characterizes these lamps, creating spots of light and focusing attention on what we need. No other lighting fixtures are capable of creating such a narrowly directed beam. This is their main advantage. We'll talk about others later, but first let's look at the varieties.

Spots vary in type of mounting, type of light bulbs and design. By type of fastening there are:

Built-in – the most common option is ceiling spots. They have a small angle of inclination, create local lighting, and perfectly accentuate attention.

Overhead spots – sconce spots. They are attached to the wall on a special bracket and perform the same function as any other wall lamp. Can be attached not only to the wall, but also to the ceiling

Complex combined spots. From one base there are many lamps that turn on simultaneously. Most of all, this combination resembles a chandelier.

The most interesting are tension spots, which are attached to the tire and move freely along it, and also rotate around its axis.

Each of these types performs its own task in the interior.

How many spots are needed and how to place them

To determine the optimal number of spotlights (if you mean main lighting), there is a special formula, but the calculation can be done in a simpler way. To do this, the following calculations are carried out:

The total number of watts per room is determined. The area of the room is multiplied by the number of Watts required by lighting standards per 1 m2. According to SNIP, the lighting level for a bedroom is 12 W/m2, for a nursery - 15 W/m2, for a living room - 20 W/m2.

To determine the minimum number of lamps, the total number of Watts is divided by the power of the selected lamp.

Inverse problem: to determine the power of one lamp, the total number of Watts is divided by the number of lamps.

Spotlights are installed taking into account the following conditions:

The distance to the wall must be at least 70 cm.
To determine the distance between lamps, the length of the wall is divided by the number of spots.
To determine the distance of the lamps from the wall, half the length of the wall is divided by 2.

Advantages of different connection methods

The spot itself can be used like an ordinary lamp, which can be turned on and off with an ordinary key on the wall. But with a certain amount of imagination and a competent approach, the way you connect ceiling lights can make your room unique in terms of lighting.

Different zones - different switches

The easiest way to make lighting convenient is to determine for each functional area its own number of spots and, accordingly, its own switch. This way, when you need a bright central light, you can use all the lamps. And when using only one part of the room, selectively illuminate only that part.

Multiple switch system

You can install two or more switches for the same light bulb. For example, install a general light switch at the entrance to the room, and separately equip each zone with a switch that will allow you to control the lighting in a specific place.

Also, such a connection system is very convenient when the room is spacious enough and has two or more exits.

“You can turn on the light with one switch located at one entrance, and turn it off with another, which is located at the opposite exit.”

Brightness adjustment

You can control not only turning the lamps on and off, but also their intensity. You can set the brightness using a special connection system, in which the controller or dimmer will play the main role.

The most common method is to smoothly adjust the light intensity by rotating the switch. A rarer, but also convenient one is tactile, reacting to the touch of a hand. For example, a short touch can turn a lamp on or off, and a long touch can dim or brighten the light depending on the starting position.

Intelligent lighting system

There are no restrictions here, and your wildest imagination can be realized. All light control can be done using a remote control. Or, instead of traditional methods of turning on spots, various sensors can be used: motion, volume, sound, light. In particularly complex models, you can remotely change even the direction of the light flow by controlling the rotation of the lamps remotely.

Ceiling overhead spotlights are used for decorative lighting

An example of using various ceiling spots to illuminate a dressing room

The dining room is illuminated by ceiling spots located on the rails, photo

Combined living room lighting system using ceiling spots

Ceiling spots are used for decorative lighting in the living room

Consistent lighting of the kitchen with ceiling spots placed on rails

Advantages and disadvantages

Positive and negative qualities of products that will help you understand whether this lighting method is beneficial.

Advantages

Due to their compactness, they fit perfectly into the design of any room in an apartment or house.
Can be used both as main and additional lighting.
They allow you to achieve zoning of space and provide light to individual areas.
By using spotlights with LEDs or halogen bulbs, energy costs are reduced.
This type of lighting is characterized by an unlimited choice of installation locations. The products can decorate any area, niche, arch, etc.
Due to models with spectacular decor, it is possible to advantageously emphasize the style of the interior.
Lamps with warm or cool shades can create a comfortable atmosphere in the room and give the design a certain mood, depending on individual preferences.

Flaws

Surface-mounted and recessed lighting fixtures have some installation difficulties and require a professionally designed installation diagram.
For products with 12 Volt light bulbs, the purchase of a special step-down transformer is required.
Some types of light sources require a ceiling with a special design.

Installation of spots

The base for the spots must be installed before the suspended ceilings are installed. When choosing a mounting option, focus on the design features of the products. Spots are attached to a suspended ceiling using one of three methods:

Mounting on adjustable stands equipped with universal platforms. Only overhead spots can be attached to them. An adjustable stand is fixed to the base of the rough ceiling. In this case, its lower level must correspond to the suspended plane.

A hole is cut in the canvas above the place of their installation, protected by a thermal ring.

Through stretched wires, the spot is attached to the suspension system, mounted in the hole and fixed with springs.

Hook installation is used for hanging elements. The principle is similar to installing a ceiling chandelier and involves the following procedure:

– before installing suspended ceilings, hooks are fixed to the concrete floor;

– reinforcing protective rings are glued to the spots where the spots are installed;

– holes are cut in the canvas and the wires are taken out;

– spots are hung on hooks, wires are connected, lighting fixtures are installed on the ceilings.

Overhead movable lamps are mounted on the platform The installation procedure is similar to installing spots on an adjustable stand, only instead of it, a special platform is fixed to the base of the ceiling. And the spots are already installed on the platform.

On a note! When connecting devices, choose a parallel method of connecting wires. Despite the small power of the spots, the failure of one device can de-energize the entire lighting system in your apartment.

Ceiling options

The placement of spotlights needs to be thought out in advance, especially if a suspended ceiling is to be installed.

The backlight can be located either symmetrically or in a chaotic manner.

Light sources built into a multi-level suspended or suspended ceiling will allow you to create a unique interior, highlight the architecture and atmosphere of the room.

The lighting will be uniform and of the highest quality if the devices are installed so that the rays of the light flux intersect above all elements in the room.

The best option is built-in spotlights along the perimeter of the ceiling plane. They can be switched on together with a central chandelier to create more intense lighting.

The parallel arrangement of lamps in several rows will help to achieve proper comfort in the room.

A cross-shaped arrangement of light sources will fit perfectly into a small room with a low ceiling. The corner space is equipped with single models, and a gimbal structure is installed in the center.

Also, for a small room, the arrangement of lamps in the form of a square is appropriate.

In order to illuminate a certain area, an arc-shaped arrangement of lighting fixtures is used. Thanks to this technique, it is possible to soften the strict interior.

Some rooms require the installation of light sources in a checkerboard pattern. For example, a similar solution is often found in the design of an island-type kitchen, where good lighting of all zones is required.

General recommendations for room lighting

Various types of devices are used for lighting. More traditional - chandeliers. According to the method of fastening, they are divided into suspended and overhead. The first are mounted on a hook, and the second - on a bar.

In recent years, indoor lighting in houses and apartments usually consists of two components - a chandelier, as the main source of light, and small spotlights that create a certain atmosphere or additionally illuminate certain areas in the room. In some cases, wall lamps and/or table lamps and floor lamps are also added. But the basis is usually ceiling lighting.

In addition to different shapes and sizes, you can also choose a different glow color

Yandex.RTB RA-1479455-2

Traditionally, the location of the chandelier is strictly in the center of the ceiling. This rule is very rarely deviated from - then it is too difficult to create a harmonious design. The exception is a combined space in a studio apartment or kitchen-living room. In this case, a chandelier (usually one) is placed in the center of one of the zones, the rest are illuminated by spotlights or other light sources. The location of the lamps on the ceiling must be selected taking into account the design and geometry of the room. And it's not that simple.

Rules for placing spotlights

The placement of spotlights on the ceiling is a matter of imagination and taste, but you should not neglect the technical nuances. Firstly, they must be placed taking into account the required illumination of various parts of the room: more light is usually needed above the table, maybe above the seating area, etc. Although, if necessary, you can “gain” the missing brightness using floor, table or wall options. Secondly, spotlights must be installed taking into account safety requirements. This is especially true for suspended ceilings. They are made from materials that are temperature sensitive, and since most lighting fixtures get hot, this needs to be taken into account.

The best option is LED lamps. They do not heat up and light does not enter the ceiling space

Yandex.RTB RA-1479455-7

Recessed spotlights are also called spots. This name is not so widespread, but it also occurs.

Here are the standards for installing spotlights on the ceiling:

When placed along a wall, the minimum distance is 20 cm. If placed closer, the light is poorly diffused, and there is also a chance of “overheating” nearby walls.
The minimum distance between two lamps is 30 cm, but in general it depends on the design, type of installation, and the material from which the ceiling is made.

In general, these are all general restrictions. They apply to both plasterboard and ordinary - bleached or painted - ceilings. Only tension ones have their own characteristics. We'll talk about this further.

Features of using recessed lamps on suspended ceilings

The main nuances are related to the fact that the materials from which suspended ceilings are made do not tolerate strong heat. Therefore, there are restrictions on the maximum power of the lamps used:

incandescent lamps up to 40 W are placed on PVC film;
halogen - up to 20 W;

on satin

incandescent lamps up to 60 W;

halogen - up to 35 W.

Comparative characteristics of various lamps for recessed ceiling luminaires

Yandex.RTB RA-1479455-3

Despite the fact that the power of the recommended lamps is different, the illumination will be almost the same, since halogen lights provide more light.

Another type of lamp that is used to illuminate a stretch ceiling is LED. There are no restrictions on power here - they practically do not heat up. But there is another “but” - to power such lamps a special adapter is required, but it gets hot. But the good news is that it can power a fairly large number of light bulbs. Well, it’s better to place it not on the ceiling, but in an accessible place - for easier repair or replacement.

What else can be used to illuminate the ceiling?

The next type of lamps is fluorescent. They are used quite infrequently - their appearance, to put it mildly, is “not quite”, and their dimensions are respectable. They just spoil the view. They can be mounted behind a stretch ceiling on the walls. In this case, the effect is very interesting - the diffused illumination is more intense near the walls, gradually tapering off to a minimum in the center.

Hidden lighting option in the corridor

Yandex.RTB RA-1479455-8

In addition to fluorescent ones, there are long LED lamps. They can also be used for hidden lighting. This option is even better. Firstly, because LEDs have a longer service life, secondly, they practically do not heat up, and thirdly, they provide an even stream of light without the flickering inherent in fluorescent light sources. LED lighting has two disadvantages. The first has already been announced - special power supplies are needed. The second is the high price of the lamps themselves and the power supplies for them. But you can create very interesting compositions that are difficult to organize with other light sources.

Unusual ceiling lighting

There is also a subtype of them - economy lamps. They have a base like a regular one, with the same power consumption they provide more light, but they are large in size and do not have the ability to focus the flow of lighting.

What else can be used to illuminate the ceiling - neon tubes and LED strips. It is quite difficult to work with tubes, but you can connect LED strips yourself. Thanks to their flexibility, you can create interesting compositions.

Unusual options can be created using LED strips

There is one more requirement for the placement of lamps on a film ceiling - the minimum distance from the light source to the seam is 15 cm. It is impossible to get closer, since the joint may separate when heated.

Choosing spots for your home

The selection of spotlights for your home is based on several parameters - the type of mounting, the lamps used and the style of the lamp.

Fastening

This point depends on the type of ceiling and walls of your home. In the case of suspended and suspended ceilings, the best solution would be built-in spots. The modern market offers many such models for every taste: completely hidden in the ceiling surface, with shades; laconic and catchy. If the ceilings and walls have a conventional finish, it would be more correct to focus on overhead models.

Light bulbs

When choosing light bulbs, you need to pay attention to the load-bearing surface and the purpose of the lamp. Stretch ceilings do not tolerate high temperatures very well, so it is better to exclude halogen and incandescent lamps and opt for LED ones.

The power and color of the light flux depends on the purpose of the spot. For bedrooms, for example, medium-power yellow lighting is suitable, while the bathroom needs bright and even white light. There are special systems for calculating the required lighting power for rooms, but the main thing to remember is that the light in living rooms should not hurt the eyes or be too dim.

There should also be no sharp changes: even interior accents are made with a smooth transition. LED spots do this perfectly.

What is special about spotlights?

The ceilings with spotlights in the bedroom are a suspended structure. A special polyvinyl chloride film is used between the plasterboard frame. It allows you to hide the connections between the electrical wiring and the lighting point.

Experts identify several illumination schemes. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the advantages of stretch fabric in the design of a modern bedroom.

They are as follows:

During the installation process, you will not need to use construction equipment for cutting grooves. Electrical wiring is carried out according to the type of wall-mounted installation. For work, a special corrugated pipe is used, which allows you to isolate the electrical wire from contact with the film. The advantage of this method is the ability to transfer light points to another part of the room. In addition, you can turn them on and check their performance;
Glossy ceiling models allow you to visually increase the distance from the ceiling to the floor. In this way, it is possible to erase the edges in the sleeping area.
Experts highlight a number of significant disadvantages of such structures in the recreation area. They are as follows:
When choosing a stretch ceiling in a bedroom with spotlights, you must first prepare a diagram for the location of light points. The fact is that after installing the polyvinyl chloride film, it is impossible to move the light bulbs. To do this, you will need to completely change the lighting plan;
The film on a stretch ceiling cannot withstand overheating. For this, it is recommended to use LED light bulb models. Halogen can cause deformation of the decorative coating;
A large number of lighting points will require significant financial costs.

Style

When choosing lamps that suit the style of the room, it is worth remembering a simple division by color and shape:

Modern trends - chrome, polished metal, glass, shiny and glossy surfaces of geometric shapes.
Classic styles - gold, bronze, patina with soft and smooth curves.
The rest should be based on personal preference.

Spots directed at the ceiling surface will help to visually “push apart” the walls, making a small room more spacious.
When choosing spots based on the criterion of “originality for any money,” it is better to turn to European factories. If the main thing for you is reasonable cost and quality, then consider options from Eastern Europe, Russia, and China.
Having chosen halogen lamps, it is better to protect the adjacent ceiling space, since their heating level is quite enough to ignite flammable finishing materials.

Halogen lamps

Halogen models appeared as a result of the modernization of incandescent lamps. They can be low voltage (12-24 V) and high voltage (220 V). In this case, heat-resistant quartz material is used to make a glass flask. To prevent evaporating particles of the tungsten helix from settling on the inner walls of the glass, iodine or bromine vapor is pumped into the flask. This ensures an increase in the service life of halogen lamps. The spiral gains the ability to produce light reminiscent of daylight.

Halogen models are economical, although they consume energy at almost the same level as incandescent lamps. Cost-effectiveness in their case is achieved by increasing the service life to 2000-4000 hours. The use of soft start allows you to increase this figure to 8000-12000 hours. Prices for halogen lamps are quite high. The products must be installed very carefully, as grease stains on the glass from bare hands will reduce the service life of the device.

Halogen models must not be equipped with dimmers: if the filament heat decreases, the air temperature inside the bulb will also decrease. As a result, tungsten will not be able to react with the inert gas. This will cause the formation of a silvery precipitate, which reduces the operating time of the device to 100-150 hours.

What do the spots look like in the interior of the rooms?

Based on color and style, lamps are selected to match the interior design of the room. For example, in a classic design, models with rounded lines, made of materials simulating platinum, gold or bronze, would be appropriate. For a modern style, designs made of metal or glass that have a rectangular or square shape are suitable. A neutral option would be white spots on a stretch or suspended ceiling of an identical shade.

More non-standard and stylish lamps will look good in the hall, which will give the interior an expensive and sophisticated look. In the living room, a large amount of light is present in the area with the sofa. Light sources can be placed in a curved line or frame the edge of a plasterboard ceiling box.

In the kitchen, lighting fixtures are installed on the ceiling above the dining area or in the work area. Double models are often used, which simultaneously distribute the light flux onto the table and cooking surface. Light sources can be made of glass, metal, crystal and white or bright plastic.

Since the bedroom does not require bright lighting, the products are placed in the area with the closet or on both sides of the bed. Overhead structures or lamps on rails are ideal.

For children's rooms, these devices are used to illuminate the play, bedroom or study segments. It is advisable to choose string models or built-in products that are durable and safe.

With this type of lighting you can adjust the configuration of the room. For example, in a long corridor, it is better to organize lighting around the perimeter, and in a small hallway, illuminate the center.

In office design, spotlights can be used to illuminate bookshelves or a desk.

Such light sources will harmonize well with table lamps or floor lamps. For decoration, choose products in white or black, square or round models, as well as wooden structures.

Advantages of ceiling spots

These are the most easily controlled ceiling lamps, ideal for lighting design. LED spots not only look great on stylishly designed tension or suspended structures, but also minimize energy consumption. To significantly save money, it is wise to choose models with motion sensors. They will instantly signal the lamps to turn on when entering the room. When leaving the room, the lighting system will quickly disconnect from the power supply.

In addition to energy efficiency, ceiling spots are characterized by unsurpassed performance properties:

The elementary installation process allows you to install the lighting equipment yourself.
The compact dimensions of the lamps increase the height of the walls, in contrast to the opposite visual effect emanating from massive multi-tiered chandeliers.

Thanks to their small size, the spots increase the height of the walls

The ability to direct a light beam in the desired direction makes it possible to perform various design tasks with any degree of complexity.
Universal lamps can be mounted both on the ceiling and on the wall in any desired location in the room. This is an excellent alternative to trivial-looking sconces and floor lamps.
The variable design of various types of ceiling spots corresponds to the canons of different stylistic design concepts.

Ceiling spots will fit into any interior style

Compatible with various types of lamps: LED, halogen, fluorescent.
The convenient design of the open-type lampshade allows you to simply replace the light bulb after its service life has expired.
The ability to redirect light flows when the need arises to illuminate a particular area of the room. Group placement of spots with separately installed switches and power regulators provides the opportunity to create a charming play of light and shadow.

Ceiling spots allow you to redirect light flows

No other type of lighting equipment can create a visual effect comparable to these point light sources. Optional features allow you to simultaneously illuminate different levels of the room with varying degrees of brightness, perform decorative multi-colored lighting, and get rid of shadows. Innovative technologies have made it possible to adjust the lighting system not only using the remote control, control panel, but also through a gadget with an installed mobile application.

Spots in other rooms

For a bedroom, dim diffused light is often chosen, but such lighting is not always convenient. Adjustable brightness levels and the ability to direct the spotlight's beams are the best solution for a variety of situations.

In a low room, it is recommended to use several small lamps; they are placed on a white ceiling and on the walls at the same distance.

Compact models are chosen to illuminate a mirror or dressing table, or an area near the bed. They are installed on brackets above the bed or on its back.

If the bedroom has a large wardrobe, then you need to install built-in directional lighting so that you don’t feel inconvenienced when choosing clothes. Spots in the bedroom will be a real godsend - the angle of incidence of the electric rays can be changed according to your own desire or need. Decorative lower lighting is suitable for decorating the sleeping area and shelves with things.

In a child's room, several areas are usually illuminated: a play area, a sleeping area and a table for doing homework. Lamps should not only be stylish, but also safe and practical. Spots can be adjusted to the required level of illumination, harmless to children's vision.

They can be installed out of the reach of children.

Even the brightest overhead illumination does not provide maximum comfort when working at a desk in an office. Only a special way of organizing space will help highlight and illuminate the workplace, highlight bookcases, shelves, and drawers with documents. When decorating an office, black or white options will harmonize perfectly with a table lamp or chandelier.

Cozy lighting from built-in spots near your favorite chair will help you relax and create a comfortable working environment.

When decorating a kitchen, such lighting will help highlight the dining and working areas. Mini-spotlights will help you conveniently illuminate the surfaces of the countertops where home-cooked meals are prepared, and during dinner, create a intimate atmosphere at the table where the whole family gathers.

The difference between spotlights

If a classic chandelier, located in the center of the ceiling, evenly illuminates the entire space, then spots act differently. Small lamps create a light spot, and thanks to the possibility of point installation and a special bracket that allows you to rotate the lamp, it is directed in the desired direction.

In this way, you can illuminate a small space using spot lamps as additional decorative light, or even abandon the chandelier and central lighting as such in favor of ceiling spots. With proper calculation of the required lamp power and the number of lamps, spot lighting can be no less bright than, for example, a crystal chandelier.

Ceiling spots have one huge advantage over classic lighting fixtures: the mood and image of a room can be changed in a matter of minutes by changing the lighting.

Spots can be turned on and off one at a time or in groups;
Adjust the brightness of lighting;
Change the position of the lamps, and therefore the direction and nature of the lighting.

Thus, in any room you can create an atmosphere that completely matches your mood and plans. Turn a brightly lit living room into a party room or a cozy room for friendly gatherings. And a spacious and bright kitchen, where it is convenient to cook, into an intimate tea chill-out with a pleasant twilight.

Along the perimeter of the kitchen there are ceiling spots on rails, and in the center there are ordinary lamps

The kitchen area is illuminated using built-in ceiling spots, photo

Ceiling spots on rails go well with classic lamps in the kitchen

Ceiling spotlights are used in the kitchen for decorative lighting

An example of lighting with overhead ceiling spotlights in a spacious living room

The large space is illuminated by built-in ceiling spots along with lamps and chandeliers

Lighting in the living room is made using ceiling mounted spotlights

Types of lamps

The choice of lamps for spotlights is also worth paying attention to, since they differ in characteristics, operating features and directly affect the quality of lighting. The number of lamps used for spots includes the following types:

Incandescent lamps. They get very hot and can damage surrounding materials, so in built-in spots only models with a mirror reflector and a power not exceeding 60 W are used. These products are cheaper than others, but consume more electricity, and they have to be replaced more often (at best, after 1000 hours of operation).

Halogen. They heat up quite strongly, which limits their scope of application; In addition, they are sensitive to voltage changes. In order for halogen lamps to work the declared service life (more than 2000 hours), you will need a protection unit - a soft starter.
Luminescent (CFL). The main advantage is economical energy consumption. The lamp provides even, white illumination, but contains mercury and therefore requires extremely careful handling.
LED. The most practical products: do not heat up, consume energy sparingly, shine brightly, and are safe to use. The service life of different models extends to several tens of thousands of hours, so replacing numerous lamps on a suspended ceiling (a labor-intensive process) will be a rare task. Reliability and other advantages compensate for the high cost of the products.

Selection of spots by light bulb type

The intensity and nature of the light depends on what type of light bulb is used in the spot. All types of light bulbs are well known to us. Let's talk about what is good and what is bad about each of them for a spotlight:

Incandescent lamps are the most affordable. The list of advantages is limited to this, although it is for this reason that they remain in demand. They can be used in complexly combined and tensioned spots, sometimes in overhead ones, but not in built-in ones. Strong heating of the light bulb can damage the suspended or suspended ceiling.
Halogen lamps are the same as incandescent lamps. More economical, have a longer service life... And the same disadvantages as their closest relative.
Fluorescent or energy-saving lamps. They save energy, shine brightly and last a long time. They hardly heat up during operation, which means they can be used everywhere. They do not turn on at full power right away, sometimes their light seems inappropriately cold, they hum during operation and create problems with disposal.
LED lamps - nothing better has been invented today. They save energy better than their predecessors, they last the longest, and are safe because they hardly heat up. Eco-friendly - do not contain harmful substances like fluorescent ones. Somewhat more expensive than its competitors, but with such an impressive list of advantages, the high cost more than pays off.
It is advisable to use filament lamps if you want them to also perform a decorative function, that is, in an open type spot.

Which light bulbs you use in the spots is your choice.

Scope of application and choice of location

Ceiling lamps in the interior have a wide range of design possibilities, including the following methods of use:

Arrangement of light accents. The spots beautifully illuminate the multi-level ceiling, furniture, paintings, steps of the stairs, and the pool.
Zoning of space. It is convenient to highlight, for example, the dining area in the living room with light. The device can be installed above a sofa or armchair.
Imitation of the starry sky.
Possibility of dimming (smooth brightness adjustment). Creates an atmospheric (solemn or intimate) atmosphere depending on the time of day or mood.

In different rooms, spotlights are used in different ways:

Living room. Spots are used functionally: as local lighting or instead of a chandelier. In the first case, they are placed around the perimeter of the room, in the second, they are distributed evenly along the ceiling, in rows or in a circle.
Bedroom. In a room intended for relaxation, bright, flooding light is useless. Therefore, white spots with frosted glass are installed here.
Kitchen. You can’t do without high-quality lighting here. In addition to stationary ones, it is a good idea to install lamps with a rotating mechanism in the kitchen, perhaps a pair model.
Entrance hall (corridor). In a modest-sized room, spotlights do an excellent job as the main light source. They are mounted in one or two rows along the ceiling.
Bathroom. For wet rooms, choose waterproof models that are safe to use.

What lamps can be used for spots

There are main types of lamps that are used for traditional chandeliers, but they can also be used for spot lighting.

So, incandescent lamps, to which everyone has long been accustomed, which are cheap and sold anywhere. But, alas, they are used extremely rarely for spots. Their efficiency is quite low, since they heat more air than they produce light. Actually, due to their strong heating, there is a risk of damage to the stretch ceiling by such lamps, if we are talking about built-in models.

Things are different with halogen lamps. They have high efficiency, the light is similar to sunlight. But energy consumption is quite low. Service life is about 12,000 hours.

LED bulbs are ideal for this type of lighting as they are economical and efficient. Their service life is quite long and there is no dependence on turning the light on or off. They do not heat up. For these reasons, recessed and overhead LED ceiling spots are the most popular today.

How many spots are needed and how to place them

To determine the optimal number of spotlights (if you mean main lighting), there is a special formula, but the calculation can be done in a simpler way. To do this, the following calculations are carried out:

The total number of watts per room is determined. The area of the room is multiplied by the number of Watts required by lighting standards per 1 m2. According to SNIP, the lighting level for a bedroom is 12 W/m2, for a nursery - 15 W/m2, for a living room - 20 W/m2.
To determine the minimum number of lamps, the total number of Watts is divided by the power of the selected lamp.
Inverse problem: to determine the power of one lamp, the total number of Watts is divided by the number of lamps.
Spotlights are installed taking into account the following conditions:
The distance to the wall must be at least 70 cm.
To determine the distance between lamps, the length of the wall is divided by the number of spots.
To determine the distance of the lamps from the wall, half the length of the wall is divided by 2.

Incandescent lamps

Simple incandescent lamps with E27 and E14 sockets are very often screwed into spots. Products of this type emit warm yellow light, harmless to the organs of vision. This is explained by the absence of flickering effect in their work. Incandescent lamps are very cheap. The disadvantages of these models include low efficiency, because a significant part of electrical energy is converted not into light, but into thermal energy.

In addition to significant energy costs, incandescent light bulbs are limited in their use in combination with tension films. On fabric canvases it is allowed to use lamps no more powerful than 60 W, on vinyl - no more powerful than 40 W. In addition, the yellow color of the rays contributes to a distortion of the visual perception of the color scheme of the decoration (primarily this applies to blue and dark blue).

Spot connection systems

Fastening technologies for different spots differ, but the general principles of installation are similar.

Installation of ceiling spots consists of several stages:

Before installing the ceiling structure, a wire is laid from the junction box to the lighting fixture.
The connection is made in parallel: from the connection device to the first device, and then to subsequent ones.
When installing an electrical cable, it is worth taking its quantity with a margin of 26-35 cm. The excess wire will then be hidden under the ceiling structure.
After the ceilings are installed, the fixtures are installed.
Modern spots require the presence of step-down transformers that are connected to each device.
When choosing lamps, you need to take into account the size of the product and the dimensions of the room. The choice of option is influenced by the height of the ceilings. The installation site must be freely accessible.

What is a spot?

Ceiling spotlight with the ability to independently adjust the direction of the light flux. Some spots may outwardly look like ordinary lighting fixtures in the form of chandeliers and wall sconces, but differ from them structurally.

The photo shows lamps above the work area in the kitchen interior in a modern style.

Smart lighting system

The smart lighting system allows you to turn off and turn on ceiling spots in response to the presence of a person in the room.

The lighting works depending on whether there is a person in the room or not. A motion sensor is mounted at the entrance, which ensures that the lamps turn on. There are other sensors located inside the room that confirm the presence of a person. They don't let the lights go off.

Such designs are complemented by devices for manual control.

Criteria for selecting lamps

Thanks to different shapes, materials of production, decor of brackets and lampshades, spots on the ceiling look completely different. Photos of the diverse design of lighting equipment will help you choose models that organically match the decoration of the room, the color of the furniture upholstery, and decorative elements.

When choosing lighting equipment, you need to focus not only on its appearance, but also consider the characteristics in detail:

The number of cartridges determines the brightness of the light sources. Several light bulbs are placed in parallel or on opposite sides at different angles, significantly expanding the illumination area and the dynamism of the light beam. The choice depends on the functional purpose of the spots. To illuminate the fireplace area or other seating area with soft diffused light, it is enough to install a lamp with a single socket on the ceiling. Above the bar counter, dining table or countertop, where it is customary to do cooking, it is wise to hang ceiling spots with several cartridges. In bright lighting, dishes and cocktails look much more appetizing than in dim light.

The brightness of the lighting depends on the number of cartridges

The type of fastening of built-in models does not play a special role in the design of the ceiling. Reinforcing parts and fasteners are hidden in the space between the concrete and plasterboard slabs or tension fabric. Overhead and suspended models are attached using string track cables, rails, rods, and flat bases of various shapes. Spots for suspended ceilings have a special type of fastening. Photos of the installation of bases in the form of a platform according to the marked layout of lighting equipment before installing the canvas will clearly demonstrate the ease of performing fastening work. It is worth emphasizing the optimal way to connect ceiling spots: with a parallel connection to the electrical network when the lamp burns out, the lighting system will continue to work minus one light source.

Ceiling spots are not difficult to install yourself

The design of lamps is striking in variety. Brackets can follow the shape of a spiral, zigzag, arc, infinity sign and many other geometric shapes. Lampshades are made from thermoplastic, chrome steel, wood, glass, porcelain. Depending on the material of production, the coating of the lampshade is polished to a shine, nickel-plated, anodized, perforated, burned, tinted, glazed in order to obtain a unique design.

The design of lamps is very diverse

Unusual ideas for placing lamps

Quite unconventional methods of installing and placing lamps in rooms are often used. In addition to the general light, they create a starry sky effect - it looks amazing.

There are a lot of different ideas, but you need to choose them wisely. The golden rule is that these ideas must be combined with the interior.

You can illuminate the picture, place lamps in a plasterboard structure at the head of the bed. Sometimes they make multi-level light. All this looks very impressive.

What you need to pay attention to when choosing spotlights

When choosing spotlights that will help you create the perfect kitchen space, you should pay attention to some parameters.

Country of origin - most of the spotlights on the country's market were produced in China. To purchase a truly high-quality product, you need to look for the by Europe marking on it. As a rule, these products are of higher quality and, accordingly, have a longer service life.

Choose high-quality lamps, then they will serve you for a long time.

At the same time, the cost of European products is almost no different from the cost of Chinese products. It is worth paying attention to spotlights that are produced in Poland; products from Russia and Ukraine are of good quality at an affordable price.

Quality of products - until recently, spotlights were presented on the market in a small assortment. Currently, their choice is very large, which is why choosing the most suitable option can be difficult.

Manufacturers offer lighting devices for every taste and budget. In stores you can buy cheap stamped devices and expensive lamp models inlaid with Swarowski crystals.

Currently, there is a huge selection of lamps of different types and shapes.

Color range of lamps - it is recommended to buy all spotlights for the kitchen from the same batch so that they have maximum similarity with each other in the shade of the body. It is also important that such devices are in harmony with the overall design of the room in their color scheme, and are made in the same style as the interior.

It is important that the spotlights are in harmony with the overall interior of the kitchen.

Design of the device - for installation in the kitchen, it is recommended to choose spotlights of simpler shapes, which will be much easier to clean from dust or dirt. For installation on suspended ceilings, lamp models with rounded edges are more suitable. In order not to make a mistake in your choice, you can purchase the simplest models of spotlights that do not contain crystal or glass.

For the kitchen it is better to choose spotlights of simple shapes.

Advice! Before making a purchase, it is recommended to obtain detailed advice from the seller, who will provide all the necessary information about the product itself, its installation method and operating features.

When used correctly, spotlights will be an excellent replacement for a traditional chandelier and will create ideal lighting in the kitchen. The main thing is to choose really high-quality products - they may cost more, but they will last longer.

Spotlights can completely replace all lighting in the kitchen.

Street

Street spots are used to illuminate the area near the house. They have great power and range of luminescence, and will also help in creating decorative effects when lighting a certain area of the yard. Street lamps are made of glass and metal in white, black, gray and other colors.

They allow you to adjust the direction of light and also have protection from the negative effects of precipitation, so street spots are the best option for lighting your personal plot.

LED bulbs

The strength of these modern devices is the high conversion rate of electrical energy into light. The operation of LED devices is practically not accompanied by heat generation. Compared to halogen counterparts, LEDs are more compact and durable. The reflective reflector in this case is replaced by a lens: installed in front of one or more light sources, it increases their intensity. Devices with one LED inside demonstrate greater durability.

To get indoor lighting that is very similar to daylight, it is recommended to purchase expensive LED lamps with the latest models of dimmers. With the help of outdated regulators it is impossible to fully realize the capabilities of devices of this type. LED models are divided into two groups according to the voltage consumed: 220 V and 12 V. Products of the first group require the mandatory use of a special voltage converter: only in this case can they be connected to a household network.

Some 12V LEDs will not work without a personal adapter or complex "rectifier". Devices of this type convert alternating current (voltage 220 V) into direct current (voltage 12 V). From a safety point of view, experts recommend using 12 V systems.