SURFACE LUMINAIRES

Surface mounted luminaires

Spotlights are a widely used solution for interior lighting, because they can fit perfectly into any context and fit into any style, from classic to modern. Each type of reflector - or light point - is designed to meet special lighting requirements. The structure can be made of various materials - plaster, metal, steel or heat-resistant material - that are able to withstand the heat of the lamp and the weight of the reflector itself. Spot lighting, unlike diffused lighting, allows you to direct the light to precise points, enhancing any space and emphasizing furniture, details and individual objects, becoming a universal, practical and modern design solution for the perfect play of light. For example, instead of a classic chandelier, a series of ceiling spotlights can create interesting lighting effects in the living room.

Recessed and wall-mounted spotlights, small spotlights illuminate the house

A spotlight is an unobtrusive luminaire, often designed to blend in with into the room. Recessed spotlights meet this need with a wide range of variants. Many modern homes have a false ceiling that allows spotlights to be placed easily, the installer will simply hide the spotlight structure and transformer above the ceiling, leaving the free edge flush with the wall. The reflector for the suspended ceiling and the wall will thus compose a unique shape that will give the surroundings a bit of modernity. Many of them are ideal plaster spotlights for flush mounting: spotlights made of plaster can be easily plastered and painted continuously with the wall, so they remain completely hidden in the drywall. Halfway between recessed and non-recessed are semi-recessed spotlights, consisting of a concealed structure in the wall and an exposed projector, often adjustable and in some cases retractable, it is by far the most versatile and aesthetic type of installation. You can also opt for flush mounting in the wall if you have a plasterboard partition, but the solution to light up the suggestive atmosphere is obtained by simply turning the spotlight upwards, the beam of light illuminates the room gently and diffused. The type of mounting that has recently populated the market should not be underestimated, these are wireless lamps and spotlights, in this case there are two components: one is a recessed panel into the wall or ceiling that can transmit energy to the lighting body, the other is a magnetic reflector which will draw energy from the recessed bracket without the need for electric wires. You have the freedom to move the spotlight and move it around the space you occupy, the spotlight literally moves with us when needed.

How do you arrange spotlights in your home to illuminate every room?

When choosing lighting first the question to ask is: what activities are performed in the room that I want to illuminate? If this is a study area, we will need direct light on the countertop, the dining room will need more light, so a diffused light lamp will be more suitable. In the living room, on the other hand, small, direct points of light can be added to the diffused light, highlighting top objects or furniture. In aisles such as an entrance hall or hallway, small spotlights are perfect for aligning along the road. You can also take advantage of direct light in the kitchen, for example with spotlights that can be directed towards the stove or sink. Having determined that the direct light from your headlamps is right for you, you will need to select the type of headlamp that will be perfect for your needs. In general, if you are not very familiar with the selection of furniture, we recommend the type of reflector that provides the greatest degree of freedom, these are adjustable reflectors which, depending on the angle at which they can move, are ideal if you want to move arrangement of furniture, thanks to which we will also be able to adapt the beam to the new arrangement. There are headlamps with inclination from a few degrees to 360 ° rotating headlamps on the market, there are many combinations on the market to choose from, you just need to filter them according to your needs. If the illuminated room needs more light, a single spotlight is not enough. That is why we choose many floodlights arranged in series as the sum of individual points of light or recessed into one body. When the area to be illuminated is extended, we can always opt for spotlights, but this time on rails that allow them to be moved, are they track lights or spotlights on cables.

LED floodlights or traditional light sources?

The choice of indoor lighting must be governed by precise rules related to the study of lighting technology, but unless you are advised by an expert, not everyone has the knowledge to make an informed choice. Typically, the headlamps on sale have a number of technical data to help you make your choice. The selected type of light source creates a breakthrough, the best option in most cases is LED spotlights, which are able to combine the directivity and warmth typical of LED light and adapt to a variety of environments in the home, from the living room to the kitchen. So far, the choice of LEDs is the most advantageous from many points of view, from energy efficiency to durability, all the data makes us prefer this solution to classic halogen headlamps, which in fact last shorter, use more energy and are less efficient in everyday life. Even fluorescent or incandescent lamps lose in terms of switching efficiency and heat generation compared to LED lamps: the fluorescent lamps light up gradually from the moment they are switched on and remain warm for longer. After selecting the light source and making sure that the holder is compatible, we will estimate the beam angle of the reflector. Usually, a small graph that shows us the width of the spotlight cone is always present in the datasheets of the article. Thanks to this, you will be sure that the object or part of the room you want to illuminate will fall into the light beam, you just need to set the reflector at the right distance. It will also be necessary to estimate the lumens and the amount of light needed to illuminate the room, in this calculation we take into account whether the room is lit only with spotlights or there are other light sources, we add the amount of light expressed by the existing lamps to understand how many spotlights will be needed to make the room perfectly lit. Finally, pay attention to the IP protection class of the reflectors, this abbreviation indicates the level of protection of the lamp against external factors such as water, dust or solids. It is therefore advisable to make sure that the position of the light spot complies with the degree of protection of the product. For example, when selecting outdoor spotlights, which are typically exposed to dust and moisture, we will pay particular attention to IP.

Project spotlight shapes and materials

Born as small projectors used to illuminate museums or showcases, spotlights have broken through the endless variety of lamps on the market. Manufacturers are now competing to bring modern spotlights to the market, which have been awarded the highest prizes for innovation and design. The ability to play with shapes and materials means that spot lighting gives designers the opportunity to express their creativity, thus combining aesthetic taste and technology. Round spotlights are the most popular form on the market, with a rectangular body for several spotlights or square spotlights perfect for integration into modern homes. The colors, like the shapes, make the spotlights a furniture accessory, two are most often chosen: a classic raw tone, a spotlight selected in the same shades as the rest of the house disappears on the wall or ceiling. On the contrary, the heroes of the scene are contrasting colors, often black spotlights on white surfaces. There is no shortage of eye-catching variants, whether they are gold or bronze headlamps or with precious details such as Swarovski headlamps. Let's not forget that the reflectors are a functional element before the aesthetic component, the materials from which they are made must respect certain characteristics of strength, lightness and workability. Most of the spotlights on the market are made of metal or plaster, the latter suitable for flush mounting, while an aluminum spotlight is an example combination. Endless possibilities for personalization by choosing the finish that best suits your taste, metals are particularly suitable for painting, especially steel spotlights, also in stainless steel versions that combine durability and aesthetic taste.

Wall spotlights for decorating light

Sometimes in a room that is already properly lit, light is used for decoration, as is the case with wall washer reflectors, which provide a cascading beam of light, which, like the lighting for grazing, evenly floods the selected area. Usually, this type of lighting is set towards a wall made with a specific texture, or when decorating with wallpaper, a wall illuminated in this way by the wall washer comes to life. Installation of this type of lighting is carried out in accordance with precise rules, the light beam must be as close as possible to the illuminated surface, choosing between the floor or ceiling points, as long as they are not more than a meter from the wall. It will be easier for the light to radiate evenly.