Downlights have been around for quite a while now, and I should know. I've worked in clubs and bars for most of my life and they use more downlights than you can shake a stick at. The fact of the matter is that downlights are hugely popular in both commercial settings.
A downlight literally describes any type of light fitting that directs its light downwards. They are traditionally associated with the circular halogen fittings recessed into the ceilings of pubs, clubs, hotels and, more recently, homes as well. However, the problems with traditional halogen lights are many and varied, which have attracted them a lot of criticism from lighting designers and the environmentally friendly caucus.
The problem is that halogen downlights are just not up to scratch when it comes to meeting the efficiency and cost requirements of the twenty-first century. One of the most prevalent memories I have of working in a bar is the tiresome chore of prodding defective halogens with a broom handle until they spring back to life; and in addition to this unreliability, they are awfully expensive and need replacing often.
That's where LED downlights come into the picture. LED downlights are beginning to seriously dominante the lighting market and rightly so. Their low energy consumption and enormous life span, between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, makes them an incredibly attractive lighting option. Overtime their shape and size has come to closely emulate that of traditional halogen bulbs, making them just as discrete and fashionable.
All these features of LED downlights mean that their domestic application is quickly becoming realise as they stand to save homeowners an enormous amount on their electricity bills while also providing the great range of lighting options they have come to know and love.
When it comes to recessed downlights, there are lots of options to choose from. Recessed fittings are great for complementing the design of modern living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and bedrooms. Whether you are building a new home or renovating an old one, they are a great choice for lighting schemes as they offer a unique synthesis of style and function. Their inconspicuous design contributes to a tidy and streamlined appearance throughout the home.
However, some lighting arrangements can end up looking bland and uniform. If you are creative with your LED downlights, you can achieve fantastic result and avoid making your home look like an office space. Try not to place your fittings too close together or in rows as you want to try and avoid creating a runway effect. Designers also recommend keeping the spacing between your fixtures proportional to the size of the fixtures themselves; so fixtures with a 4 inch diameter should be spaced 4 feet apart and so forth.
Directional "wall wash" or gimbal downlights can be affixed to vertical walls and surfaces and used to highlight the prominent features of a room, including pictures, fireplaces and ornaments. This will also make a space look larger by "pushing" out the walls.
LED downlights are also great for task lighting. Carefully positioned over desks or worktops, they are great for reading and working by. A popular option is to incorporate them onto the underside of kitchen cabinets.
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