Many people choose to have brass finishes in their home, be it brass sockets and switches, lighting, door handles or other features. Brass is commonly available as polished brass, antique (or aged) brass, brushed brass or satin brass. This versatile, yet classic looking finish has really stood the test of time.
While gold is a common metal that features in many parts of life, it isn’t quite as common in British homes. Gold sockets and switches aren’t quite as common as brass sockets and switches, however people do still search for these, as well as gold downlights, gold lighting and gold door handles.
What is the difference between brass and gold?
When comparing the two different metals themselves (not necessarily the finishes), the density is the key difference. You may not want to, or have the time to mathematically test the density of each of the metals, but gold is denser, so will feel heavier than brass. Gold is also a non-reactive metal so won’t tarnish when exposed to the air. It also doesn’t react with acid, unlike brass.
When choosing between finishes for you household features, however, these are likely to be coloured or plated brass or gold, so the key difference is in the appearance. Brass and gold do have similar colours, however gold is shinier and carries a more yellow tone. Brass has a slightly duller tone and isn’t quite vibrant.
The slight dulled tone of brass makes it much more suitable for most homes as gold can be very over bearing. The soft look of brass makes it versatile, allowing it to complement its surroundings rather than overpower.
Types of Brass and Gold
As mentioned above, brass is available in antique/aged brass, polished brass, brushed brass and satin brass. See our guides to Antique Brass Vs Polished Brass and Copper Vs Brass Vs Bronze. Gold is less commonly available as a finish for sockets and switches, but can be found as a finish for door handles and lighting, including downlights.
Gold finish for home items tends to be brushed gold or polished, however the alloy rose gold is a far more common finish. See our guide to Rose Gold Vs Copper.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]In this blog, we look at the key differences between brass and gold finishes and they can be used in different interiors
Have you ever wondered why objects can look different in different lights, and why? There's a scientific reason for this, rather than it just being the responsibility of the 'room'.
Colour rendering Index, also known as CRI is the measurement of how colours look under a light source when compared with sunlight.
The CRI measurement index ranges between 0-100. Depending on where your light source is in the CRI spectrum, it can have a significant impact on the representation of the room and the objects within it.
What Is The Colour Rendering Index?
The colour rendering index measurement ranges between 0-100. 100 being the highest CRI, emulating daylight. Whilst anything from 80 and below offers a poor colour reference.
Let's take a look at the below CRI measurements and how they can affect what the eye can see.
CRI 97-100
A light with a CRI of 97-100 is highly desirable. The higher the CRI, the truer representation of the colour, with optimum clarity and definition.
100 means it only reflects the true colour. The added clarity means that a CRI of 100 would even allow you to pick out a pin on the floor! Offering the ultimate accuracy and precision, a CRI at the highest end of the spectrum is ideal for any room in the house, and for whatever role the room plays.
CRI 93
A CRI of 90 up to 97 still represents a good colour reference. But anything below 100 and the light output doesn't represent the full colour spectrum. CRI reflects what's around it, so even with a slight marginal difference in CRI, you can already start to see the effect it has on the colour.
The objects have lost some of their clarity and their radiance.
CRI 80 & Below
Take it down to a CRI of 80 and below and you'll notice a huge impact on the colour, clarity and definition. Anything from 80 and below is deemed as a poor colour reference. This will have an impact on the room, the objects within it, and even your mood.
The overall effect between 93 and 80 as pictured below is remarkable. The colour is dull, it no longer reflects its true colour and it's lost its 'zest', literally!
Colour rendering index is an incredibly important aspect to consider when choosing the lighting for your home. A poor CRI can change the entire room. The paint will look different, the furniture you've spent ages selecting will look different, and it can even change the mood of the room.
When you're next choosing paint or furniture for your home, remember to think of CRI and opt for lighting with the highest CRI where possible for the optimum colour, accuracy and precision in your home.
Check out our range of High CRI downlights that offer the most accurate show of natural light for the boldest and most vibrant reflection of colour in your home.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]The Colour Rendering Index, also known as CRI, is the measurement of how colours look under a light source when compared with sunlight.
After exploring downlights and spotlights in our previous blog, it's time to turn our attention to the different types of downlights available on the market.
Downlights continue to be a popular way to add lighting throughout your home, creating a well lit space, whilst keeping ceilings streamlined. The advantage is that if suitably IP rated they can be used in every room of the house.
Both GU10 and integrated LED downlights come with their own set of advantages. We explore the pros and cons of each to help you make a well educated buying decision next time they're on your shopping list.
What Are GU10 Downlights?
GU10 downlights are among the most popular on the market. They can be fitted with a variety of GU10 bulbs and can be easily replaced when the bulb goes. They're affordable and are suitable for kitchens, bathrooms and any other room in the house.
What Are The Benefits of GU10 Downlights?
GU10 bulbs tend to be more affordable, but the bulbs usually have to be purchased separately. When the bulbs fail, you do have a large range of GU10 bulbs to choose from. You aren't left having to try and replace the entire unit, and changing the bulbs can be done easily.
What Are The Disadvantages of GU10 Downlights?
These downlights tend to come with a much smaller guarantee length than integrated downlights. There is a huge choice of GU10 bulbs available on the market but some can be less reliable and have a shorter lifespan than the LED bulbs in integrated downlights.
What Are Integrated LED Downlights?
Unlike GU10's, integrated LED downlights are a complete unit which need to be completely replaced when they do fail. Again, they're ideal for use throughout the home.
What Are The Benefits of Integrated LED Downlights?
Integrated LED downlights tend to have a much longer lifespan than their counterparts. As the fitting is manufactured specifically around the LED light source, they are designed to last around twice as long and are more reliable. They also tend to come with much longer guarantees.
They can also offer a much wider spread of light. This results in fewer hot spots and a more even light distribution.
What Are The Disadvantages of Integrated LED downlights?
A main disadvantage of integrated downlights is that when the unit fails, the entire unit has to be replaced. Whilst they generally come with longer guarantees and life expectancy, it can be a problem if you're trying to match the downlights and the existing supplier no longer stocks them. However, in choosing a leading lighting brand you'll find that their high quality styles don't really change.
Due to increased reliability and lifespan, integrated LED downlights do come in quite a bit more expensive than GU10's.
It depends on your individual requirements what type of downlight is right for you and your home. Both GU10 and integrated downlights offer important advantages. Besides functionality, it can then often come down to the style and finish that helps to complete the selection process.
Take a look at our full range of downlights to choose the perfect style for your home.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Both GU10 and integrated LED downlights come with their own set of advantages. We explore the pros and cons of each to help you decide.
Every new year brings with it a wealth of new and exciting trends, services and products. Designed to help make our lives at home much easier.
With more time than ever spent at home in 2020, perhaps you've already implemented new changes such as a smart home system or voice activated lights? Maybe it's something that you're fascinated by? But, what we do know is that each year, the technology becomes more sophisticated and advanced. Once you make the switch to technology like this you'll wonder how you ever functioned before.
If you're interested in technology to help take the load off you at home or to just make your life a bit easier, here are some home technology trends to look out for in 2021.
Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology has been around for a little while now. But each year it's becoming more advanced and accessible than before. Smart home technology puts you in control of the little things in your home that amount to a lot. They can control your lighting, heating, music, security systems and beyond. Some systems can even be voice activated by demand.
Smartphones to Replace Hubs
As it stands, most smart home technology is controlled by a central hub in your home. Even this now seems outdated. With the ability to pretty much do everything at the touch of a few buttons on a smartphone, the future will see smartphones wholly replacing hubs.
Smart home hubs already run on wifi activation. This is typically always in the palm of our hand with our phones anyway. A selection of smart home technologies already do include an app. However, for the industry to keep evolving we see smartphones replacing hubs completely in an easy to use app.
Security Systems
Security is a leading trend within the smart home industry. The use of AI in security has already provided fantastic systems including facial recognition, remote controlled locks and video door alarms. So, what next?
According to a report by Forbes, robots are no longer just a pipe dream, even humanoid ones. These AI 'domestic helpers' would rely on machine learning and could even be deployed to households where additional help is needed. Such as where mobility is difficult for residents. They would also act as an extra set of eyes. If they sense someone has fallen or needs assistance, then they would be able to step in.
Kitchen Technology
As far as things go in the home, the kitchen is one room that seems to be striding ahead with innovative technology. As if lighting, heating and music wasn't enough, intelligent refrigerators are something new, exciting and possibly life changing.
An intelligent refrigerator will have the ability to track the shelf life of products, analysis of next purchases and tracking what needs to be replenished. As well as synchronising with other kitchen devices.
Smart ovens are a thing too. They can automatically set the temperature for the dish being cooked and have the ability to regulate the heating depending on family members preferences.
We can expect to see the advancement of other technologies already available such as pressure cookers, smart bars and mixers. After all, the kitchen is the heart of the home!
Decor Friendly Smart Home Technology
As it stands, smart homes can appear to be quite obtrusive and can stick out like a sore thumb if you have a specific theme in your home. Most smart home hubs tend to be white or black, and that's as far as it goes.
In 2021, we can see that more aesthetically pleasing smart home technology will be released that will blend into your decor and become part of the setup rather than being an eye sore. This will start to encourage more home owners to think about investing in this technology.
It can be difficult to predict the future of home technology, but as things progress, 2021 looks like a really great year for smart home technology. Helping to make our lives at home that bit easier.
If you’re interested in technology to help take the load off you at home, here are some home technology trends to look out for in 2021.
Spotlights and downlights are often mixed up, with people searching for one, but meaning to find the other. In this article we will look at the differences, the benefits, and which situations suit each of them better than the other.
Spotlights are surface mounted lights. These come as single, double, triple or quad lights. Downlights are recessed lights, mounted into the ceiling. Spotlights tend to be better at highlighting certain areas, although tiltable downlights can do this to an extent too.
What are spotlights?
Spotlights are often mounted on a fixing plate or a bracket and are commonly used in kitchens and bathrooms. As these are mounted, they tend to look less subtle than downlights, and don’t tend to work as well on very low ceilings. These give off a directed beam of light to light the room, so for large rooms, you are likely to need either more than one spotlight, or lots of different light fittings.
Spotlights work well when directing light onto specific furniture, areas or features, for example onto paintings or bookshelves.
When using a large amount of spotlights, it is common to use a track lighting system, which allows a row of them to be positioned along a length of lighting track.
What are downlights?
Downlights are recessed lights that direct light downwards. These can be fixed downlights or tiltable downlights. The light tends to have a wide beam angle however it is common practice to light a room with more than one downlight.
These can work in a wide range of situations but are better suited to low ceilings as the fitting is recessed, so is unlikely to get in the way.
Downlights are slightly more limited in options for different designs and styles than spotlights, however there are many different finishes available as well as shapes and styles.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Spotlights and downlights are often mixed up, we look at the differences, the benefits, and which situations suit each of them better than the other.
The lighting setup in your home serves more purpose than just looking good. Your lighting can affect your sleeping, performance and how you feel. When it comes to LED bulbs there are so many different options to choose from. You're probably sat there thinking 'but where do I start?'. You're not alone!
Certain types of bulbs serve different purposes. Some bulbs are better for rooms more than others, and some are a total no go. To optimise the lighting in your home, we explore the best type of bulbs to use.
Best Bulb For The Living Room
The living room is a space thats role changes throughout the day. Because of this, the best type of bulb for a living room isn't a one size fits all.
As your living room can be a space to relax, work and eat in or perhaps only one of the above, it does need to be tailored to suit the rooms needs as it changes.
Generally speaking a soft white bulb within the yellowish range, between 2700k-3000k is the perfect colour temperature for living rooms. However, if your living room is used a lot for reading and working you might want to look at a bulb that is closest to daylight. This is between 5000k-6000k, you could then install a dimmer so you can have control over your lighting. You can then brighten and dim your lighting setup as required. Alternatively, you could use a soft white bulb throughout your main ceiling lighting and invest in a table lamp or floor lamp with a daylight bulb which you could use as task lighting.
For The Bathroom
Bathroom lighting is a difficult one to get right. But when you do get it right it can help to enhance the room for the tasks required.
A bathroom is a place that requires task lighting for those daily tasks such as applying makeup and shaving. Alternatively, you don't want there to be harsh lighting all the time for those moments where you use the bathroom for relaxation.
The best LED bulbs for a bathroom are in the warm white range, between 3000K to 4000K. Bright white bulbs between 4000k to 5000K also work really well with bathrooms that feature chrome or white fixtures. These two colour temperatures will help you to carry out your bathroom tasks with ease. Again, you can install a dimmer switch to allow you to control the brightness of the lighting when required.
For The Kitchen
The hub of the house, the kitchen is a space that brings the family together and can be used for multiple purposes.
A warm white bulb between 3000K and 4000K is perfect for lighting throughout a kitchen by way of ceiling lights or wall lights. For the areas that require task lighting such as worktops and the hob, you may want to opt for a brighter colour temperature. In these areas, a bight white or daylight bulb would work best. Providing maximum lighting in the areas that require it.
For The Dining Room
Whether you have a stand alone dining room or one joined to the kitchen, getting the right lighting in this room is key to creating a social, light and airy space.
A warm white bulb between 3000K and 4000K is perfect for a dining room. To create further flexibility and warmth in this room you could look to install a dimmer.
Applying Makeup
Applying makeup is one of the activities that requires adequate task lighting. Whether it's a task you usually carry out in the bathroom, a dressing room or in your bedroom, choosing the right light bulb is key for makeup application.
The best light bulb for applying makeup is between 4,800k to 6,000k, a level of white lighting that isn't too warm or cool. This cool, bright and clean light bulb will give you the very best clarity.
Which Light Bulb Is Best For A Home Office?
A home office is more important than ever right now, and getting the lighting right is a key aspect in productivity and how you feel throughout the day.
Selecting a colour temperature somewhere between 4000-5000K is the closest colour to perfect daylight. This is perfect for task lighting. Bulbs of these temperatures will help you stay alert during the working day without causing any strain on your eyes. Use the same colour throughout the home office in all of your fixtures for balanced lighting.
Which Light Bulb Is Best For Painting?
You'll need some good quality task lighting in place for a concentrated task such as painting. A light bulb with a colour temperature of 4000k-5000k will provide you with a cool, bright light which is the closest match to daylight.
You'll also want to pay attention to the CRI of the bulb. A bulb with a CRI of 80-100 will allow you to perceive the truest representation of colour in your work. An absolute essential when creating your masterpiece.
Take a look at our extensive range of LED bulbs. Shop by colour temperature or shape to create an effective lighting setup for your home.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]The lighting setup in your home serves more purpose than just looking good. Your lighting can affect your sleeping, performance and how you feel. When it comes to LED bulbs there are so many different options to choose from. You’re probably sat there thinking ‘but where do I start?’. You’re not alone! Certain types of […]
A place of tranquility and relaxation, the bathroom is probably one of the most used rooms of the house. Lighting plays an integral part in a bathroom. It's important to get right for those times that task lighting is required, and for those evenings where relaxation is key.
We've put together a bathroom lighting guide that will help to enhance the way that you use your space.
Task Lighting
Task lighting in a bathroom will help you to complete those everyday necessities like shaving and applying makeup with ease. Dedicated task lighting provides increased light for specific tasks, in their required area.
This can be achieved in a bathroom by using recessed downlights, cabinet lights and mirror lights.
Recessed downlights are a great choice as they blend into most interior decor. They're also easy to install into those tiny nooks where otherwise it would be difficult to install substantial lighting for the task at hand.
If they're being fitted away from the shower and bath, such as by the sink, you will need downlights with an IP rating of 44 and above. Take a look at our blog on IP rated downlights for more information on bathroom zones.
Wall Lights
If you're looking for a more decorative finish, wall lights will help you to achieve the desired look. Wall lights are perfect for hanging at eye level in a bathroom. They can be used as a stand alone light fitting or used to layer lighting.
Layering lighting works well for adding depth to a room and additional lighting to the areas that need it most. Wall lights work will in conjunction with downlights and ceiling lights.
Set The Mood With A Dimmer Switch
The perfect lighting setup for a bathroom is one that takes you through the day and can be adapted as necessary. A dimmer switch will allow you to increase and decrease the brightness as required.
A dimmer switch is the perfect way to create mood lighting for a relaxing setting. When you're having a soak in the bath, dim the lighting to help you relax and unwind.
Our dimmer switches are available in a number of different finishes to suit your decor.
Choose The Right Colour Temperature
Another important consideration to make is the colour temperature of the bulbs you are using in your lighting setup. This is particularly important if you have a bathroom with no natural lighting.
IP Ratings
The IP (Ingress Protection) rating system is crucial for ensuring that bathroom lighting is safe for use in areas where it may come into contact with moisture or water. Here's a breakdown of how the IP rating system is structured:
IP Rating Breakdown:
IP: Stands for "Ingress Protection". The first digit indicates protection against solid objects (like dust or dirt). The second digit indicates protection against liquids (like water).
Common Bathroom Zones:
- Zone 0: Inside the bath or shower.
Requires IP65 or higher. - Zone 1: Above the bath or shower up to a height of 2.25m.
Requires IP44 or higher. - Zone 2: The area around the bath or shower extending 60cm outside.
Requires IP44 or higher. - Zone 3: Further than 60cm from the bath or shower, where lighting might still encounter occasional water splashes.
IP20 is sufficient, but IP44 is recommended.
Shaver sockets
Now you've decided on your lighting setup, don't forget about the final details. Matching your shaver sockets with other details in your room such as downlights or wall lights will really help to pull the room together.
Our shaver sockets are available in a number of different finishes. Our newest Fusion range combines up to 3 different metals. This range is ideal for those who feature a number of different metals in their home such as white metal and polished chrome.
A bathroom lighting plan will help you to utilise the space and enhance if for the activities that need it.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]A place of tranquility and relaxation. We’ve put together a bathroom lighting guide that will help to enhance the way that you use your space.
Lighting that makes a statement can create a real focal point in a room, drawing attention, whilst lighting its surroundings. Choosing the right lighting for you can be a tricky task, with so many types on offer.
If you are struggling to decide which lighting fixture you require, you may find our guide to lighting fixtures to be useful. If you have settled on a hanging ceiling fixture, however, you’ll need to choose between a pendant light and a chandelier.
What is the difference between pendant lighting and a chandelier?
Before looking any further, it is worth looking at the simple definitions of each light type. A chandelier is a suspended ceiling light with multiple light bulbs, whilst pendant lighting is a suspended ceiling light fixture with only a single bulb.
Chandeliers tend to be more expensive than pendant lights (although there are some cheap chandeliers and expensive pendants available on the market.)
Pendant lights are commonly hung on the cord, as the weight of the light is much lower than a chandelier, whilst chandeliers are commonly hung on a chain. Again, this is not a hard and fast rule, as many of Soho Lighting’s Schoolhouse and Statement pendant lights come with chains, as these are much heavier than many other pendant lights.
Which sort of rooms suit pendant lights more than chandeliers?
Chandeliers tend to suit classic, or period properties, as they are generally more grand. Pendant lights are very versatile and can suit all sorts of styles of décor, as well as different heights of room. Chandeliers tend to fit better in rooms with very high ceilings as they tend to be larger and heavier than pendants. Again, this is not a hard and fast rule, as there are many long drop pendant lights available, with longer chains and cords.
Chandeliers usually give off a more ambient, less concentrated light. This can be great for a relaced location like a living room, but many pendant lights, especially ones that direct the light downwards, are often better for task lighting. Pendants can be great when positioned above a kitchen island, as they not only provide useful task lighting, but also create a beautiful centrepiece.
When to use a chandelier or a pendant light
Personal preference can really be the key point here, but in certain situations, it is more likely that one sort of light fixture will be better than another.
- When lighting a big room like a living room (with high ceilings) then a chandelier is likely to be a good choice.
- When concentrating light into a certain area, e.g. above a kitchen island, then a pendant light could suit.
If you have settled on a hanging ceiling fixture for your room, you’ll need to choose between a pendant light and a chandelier.
Colours that we come into contact with every day have a subconscious effect on us without us realising it. The same goes for colour temperature in our lighting. It might be affecting us in a way that hinders our performance and even our mood.
Colour temperature is measured in degrees kelvin on a scale of 1000 to 10,000. Bulbs which have a lower colour temperature will have a warm light. Whilst those with a higher colour temperature emit a bright, blue/white cool light.
How Does Colour Temperature Affect Us?
Have you noticed before that natural light gives you a spring in your step? When lighting is dimmed, do you feel sleepy? Do dimly lit rooms give you an instant headache? You're not going mad, there is a scientific link between the colour temperature of lighting and our mood.
Light therapy studies have discovered that different colour temperatures affect moods, heart rates and circadian rhythms. Scientifically speaking, this is because different intensities of light cause the body to release different hormones.
Blue Light & Circadian Rhythm
Humans follow a circadian rhythm, this is a natural, internal process within the body which regulates the sleep/wake cycle. Artificial light at night that is omitted from our phones can disrupt our cycle by suppressing melatonin production in the evening.
Melatonin keeps us healthy by inducing sleep, boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol, and helping organs function. It has been proven that people who suffer from suppressed melatonin levels and lack of sleep are more prone to depression and low mood.
Advice suggests putting your phone away an hour before bed to limit your exposure. Alternatively, you can dull the brightness to night settings on your phone.
However, you can further minimise your exposure to blue light at night by changing the kind of lights you have in certain areas of your home. Consider using Warm White (2500K-2700K) LED lights in your bedroom or living room with a dimmer.
On the other side of the spectrum, warmer light sources (between 2000K-2700K) create warmth and relaxation. This colour temperature is equivalent to things like dusk, candlelight, and firelight. It creates a warm, cosy environment, and can also encourage creativity and conversation. Choose warm white bulbs for bedrooms, bathrooms, dining and living rooms.
Productivity
You become a product of your environment, and it's no different when it comes down to lighting. Boosting productivity and concentration is desirable when thinking about lighting in offices and workspaces.
Cool white light (between 3,500-4,100K) is not quite as bright as natural daylight, but, does provide some benefits. This colour temperature triggers our brains to stay alert, promotes concentration and has been linked to boosting productivity in people. This colour temperature also makes it easier for our eyes to see and perform tasks.
Cool white LED bulbs are common within offices and workspaces. They can also be used as task lighting in kitchens and other areas that require it.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
It's no surprise that natural daylight generally makes us have a spring in our steps. Studies have shown that exposure to natural daylight and artificial daylight (5,600-6,000K), especially in the morning, can significantly improve health conditions such as depression, stress, sleep and SAD (seasonal aid disorder).
Like natural daylight, this colour temperature is bright, fresh and calming. It can make people feel more alert and has been tied with links between increased productivity and work performance.
Natural daylight bulbs are ideal for task lighting uses, offices and in areas that require this level of lighting.
The way colour temperature affects humans has been well documented in several scientific studies. So, when you're next choosing the lighting for your home, colour temperature is one area that you should definitely pay close attention to.
Take a look at our full range of LED bulbs and browse by colour temperature to find the right lighting for your home.
[related_products is_auto_added="1"]Colours that we come into contact with every day have a subconscious effect on us without us realising it. The same goes for colour temperature in our lighting. It might be affecting us in a way that hinders our performance and even our mood. Colour temperature is measured in degrees kelvin on a scale of […]
When positioning downlights in your home there are many important considerations to take into account. Positioning them effectively will create an efficient and effective light source in your room.
The way downlights are positioned can also change from room to room, which is dependent on how the room is used.
In this blog we explore how to effectively arrange and position downlights. Creating the ideal arrangement which will help you save energy, cut costs and maximise space.
How To Plan The Layout of Downlights?
Downlights are a fantastic choice to light a home as they illuminate a room, enable you to create localised task lighting and they create ambience.
As mentioned, downlights can be used in different ways depending on how you want to light the room.
As a rough idea, allowing one downlight per 1.2m2 will provide an effective level of lighting. To calculate numbers and spacing more accurately, you need to consider what the room is used for and how your fittings and fixtures are positioned.
Focal Points
This will differ from room to room. When planning your light scheme with downlights you need to pay particular attention to what areas of a room need more light.
For example, in a kitchen when deciding your lighting layout, your starting point should be the locations that require additional lighting such as a worktop, hob or breakfast bar. Once you have selected the downlights for these areas requiring additional light, the remaining downlight positions can then be added amongst them.
Ceiling edges
Position downlights too close to a wall and they will create unwanted shadows around the edge of a ceiling. When fitting them, ensure you work in a gap from the ceiling edge of approximately 75cm. In doing so, this will create well distributed light throughout the whole room. Making it a light and airy space.
What Is The Room Used For?
As previously discussed, the intended use of a room should be a primary driving factor when positioning downlights. A rooms function will dictate the position of any focal points, such as over a worktop or by a bathroom mirror.
Unlike traditional light sources, downlights can be located strategically which is tailored to the needs of the room.
How To Position Downlights In A Bathroom?
Lighting in a bathroom can often be a difficult one to tackle due to the fact that they often have small windows, or no natural light source at all.
Fitting the downlights into your bathroom is preferable once your fittings are in place. This will then give you a layout to work around. For example, if you have a mirror, you may want to place one of two downlights in the vicinity so you can see clearly. Shelving and alcove areas can also benefit from downlights to showcase the space.
Installing a dimmer in your bathroom lighting setup puts you in control of your lighting. Creating a tranquil ambience when taking a relaxing bath will transform your bathroom experience.
When choosing downlights, you need to pay close attention to downlights and what bathroom zones they serve. The key to downlights in bathroom is safety first!
There are four zones in a bathroom; 0,1, 2 and the outside zone. Each zone dictates how well protected a light fitting will be against moisture, this is backed up by its IP rating.
The four bathroom lighting zones are:
Zone 0
Inside the bath or shower. Lights must be rated at least IP67.
Zone 1
Above the bath or shower to a height of 2.25m from the floor. Lights must be rated to at least IP45 (typically, IP65 is used).
Zone 2
An area extending 60cm beyond the bath, shower and wash basin, up to 2.25m above the floor. Lights must be rated at least IP44.
Outside Zone
This is anywhere outside of the zones mentioned above where no water is likely to be present.
How To Position Downlights In A Kitchen?
Downlights are a contemporary lighting choice for a kitchen, enabling you to create better task lighting than you can with traditional lighting.
A kitchen is the heart of a home and needs to be suitably lit to create a light, airy and social space. The kitchen is a room thats role can often change throughout the day, especially if you have a breakfast bar that is used for a work space too.
Like the bathroom, you need to carefully consider first where your task lighting is going to be needed most. Food preparation is a key area for making sure it's well lit. Bearing in mind, that you don't want to create a shadowy work surface. You want to illuminate the areas where you are prepping and doing stuff, and not the back of your head!
You can then position the rest of your downlights around your key task lighting areas. If you have a breakfast bar or dining table in your kitchen, you might want to group three together over a table to create a light space for those tea and biscuits.
LED downlights are a fantastic choice for lighting a home. Creating a contemporary feel, with effective and efficient lighting throughout your home, no matter what the room.
FAQs
All of our downlights are fire rated to 30, 60, and 90 minutes. If you'd like to read more about Fire Rated Downlights, visit our blog 'Why Choose Fire Rated Downlights'.
We explore how to effectively arrange and position downlights. Creating the ideal arrangement while you save energy, cut costs and maximise space.