Spot lights / downlighters in living room???? peoples experience of them

[sentinal]

Hi,

I'm currently like everyone else, re-doing my living room with an AV setup. Am chasing out the walls for cables etc etc

Anyway, I had an electrician round to give me a quote for fitting of downlighters and power sockets where the TV is hung and AV equipment is being stored

He mentioned that downlighters give out localised lighting and not diffused lighting. everyone i've spoken to since arent too keen on them either

I was wondering what everyones experience of them are? how far apart do you/ should you install them

If you end up having lots in a room, wont the room be too bright?

thanks

[albriscoe]

Originally Posted by sentinal

Hi,

I'm currently like everyone else, re-doing my living room with an AV setup. Am chasing out the walls for cables etc etc

Anyway, I had an electrician round to give me a quote for fitting of downlighters and power sockets where the TV is hung and AV equipment is being stored

He mentioned that downlighters give out localised lighting and not diffused lighting. everyone i've spoken to since arent too keen on them either

I was wondering what everyones experience of them are? how far apart do you/ should you install them

If you end up having lots in a room, wont the room be too bright?

thanks

I wouldn`t have anything else tbh, I`ve just completed a new build with over 300 here and there, you can create different light scenes by splitting them into different circuits and they are dimmable which makes for perfect ambient lighting. Also you are able to buy different angle lamps as well for even greater flexibility. I think single drop lamps are a thing of the past imho as well as being boring.

Budget obviously plays a part as well but go for it as I`m sure you won`t regret it

cheers Allan

[sentinal]

How many should a room have? whats distance apart should they be?

The room in question is approx 3m x 3.3m,

[Dr Force]

Originally Posted by sentinal

How many should a room have? whats distance apart should they be?

The room in question is approx 3m x 3.3m,

Well what would look good on your ceiling??

I would say 4 x50w lamps in that room would be adequate, 6 @ 35w max.

The sparks is right about localised lighting but put them on a dimmer and you can create a nice mood.

I am having 6 in my HC room and that is 2.5x4.6m, sometimes total darkness can tire the eyes on a bright screen, so its good sometimes to be able to dim them down so as not to affect the contrast, but still create enough light to see what you are doing.

Doc

[elootos]

I'd also recommend to get the fittings that tilt as well so then you'll have a bit more control over where they point.

[albriscoe]

Originally Posted by sentinal

How many should a room have? whats distance apart should they be?

The room in question is approx 3m x 3.3m,

thats all down to personal taste, I have 57 at 500mm centres in my basement games and cinema room, 25 in the kitchen not inc plinth and under unit lights and 37 in our bedroom.

with careful placement ie. a bit of planning you can create lighting scenes to die for as in the magazines and what have you. Some might think its overkill but until you see what lighting can do you shouldn`t really knock it I say so go on have a bit of imagination and go for it afterall whats worse than a fantastic living room with some fabulous av kit in there and crap lighting

Allan

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

To get a nice scheme designers recommend you have light from 3 different directions. i.e. down lighters in the ceiling, wall lights and table lamps. It does make a big difference.

Have a look at the John Cullen lighting website as it shows some nice rooms and and tells you exactly what light fittings have been used. It will give you some ideas and pointers on what you can achieve.

Allan has it spot on, with some careful planning you can achieve great results with out spending a fortune.

[PA28]

I've just replaced two pendant fittings in my lounge with 6x 50w downlighters arranged in two rows of three. Each row has the lights at 1 metre intervals and there's about 2m between the rows. The main reason was to clear the ceiling for the throw of a ceiling mounted projector. The effect is quite astonishing - the lights are remote controlled and provide pools of light on the floor. Tablelamps are used to balance the effect as, of course, downlighters don't reflect any light off the ceiling. One row washes down the front of a ceiling mounted 100" screen, and the effect of slowly dimming the lights down before showing a film is - wow! Incidentally, they need not cost a fortune; I bought a box of 6 gold tilting downlighters from Lidls at a grand cost of £5.99 - I also bought a second box of 6 silver lamps in case I changed my mind; in any event the cost of £1 per bulb is money well invested in spares!!

[MarkP80]

If you're going for a simple 3 x 2 or 2 x 2 layout, might I suggest using Golden Section for the spacings - it gives pleasing results to the eye (Google it to see why ;-) )

For this -

[-----o----------o-----]

[--AB--x----BC---x--CD-]

Distance AB = CD
BC = 1.618AB
AB = Total width / 3.618

Try it, it works!

MarkP

[HandsomeBWonderful]

I don't wish to hi-jack this thread but I'm going to be installing 20 low voltage tiltable downlights next week and like the OP I really need some advice on positioning/layout/wattage. I've done up a plan but am still not sure if the positioning of the lights is suitable and am now considering using 35W bulbs instead of 50W. The lights will be remotely controlled using Varilight touch dimmers - any tips on keeping buzzing to a minimum would be much appreciated. I really need to get this right as, apart from the expense and the 20 large holes drilled in the ceiling, it's a surprise for the wife and if she doesn't like them I'll be in the dog-house for the foreseeable future.

[chrish16]

Hi
If you use 6 x 50w doesn't this use loads of electricity as opposed to 1 x 100w bulb?
Has anyone used the new energy saving downlighters? I've seen some in B&Q, but not sure if they will give that cold white light as opposed to the warm halogen light?

[HandsomeBWonderful]

I had a look at those energy saving bulbs and yes I'm afraid the light is a sickly blue. I love my planet but I don't want to feel like I'm living in a mental hospital so it's halogens for me.

[chrish16]

But using 6 x 50w halogens isn't that like 300w? thats a lot of electricity as opposed to a standard 100w lightbulb isn't it?

[HandsomeBWonderful]

Originally Posted by chrish16

But using 6 x 50w halogens isn't that like 300w? thats a lot of electricity as opposed to a standard 100w lightbulb isn't it?

You should have a word with Al Briscoe

[chrish16]

LOL

37 in one room? :D