Choosing Between Downlights and Spotlights

sofa wall

Should spotlights or downlights be used for the sofa? This is a contentious issue. It seems like the biggest problem of the century.

Downlights are often recommended for reading newspapers and books on the couch (no). They provide a uniform light that is not “dazzling”.

Some say you can’t use downlights–the light spots on the wall are too ugly.

Some people say that spotlights can be used to take photos, wash walls or to wash them.

Some people say that you cannot use spotlights – they are too dazzling, and You will be injured instantly when lying down.

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There is no right or incorrect.

We then start with the application and see which lamp would be best for you. This is only a discussion tool and not a decoration.

Let’s take a look at the conventional ways to decorate the ceiling in the living room:

1. Side ceiling/return ceiling
2. Hoist the whole ceiling

Let’s use the standard size to illustrate.

Look at the distance only, and not at the light.

The distance between the lamp and the wall should be about 20cm.

At this distance, just from the perspective of light effect

Below is a picture of a downlight that has a floodlight source with 100+ degV

Installing balloon light spots is easy if you accept the effect. (Don’t laugh…your home decor will look exactly the same).

Large-angle downlights also make up the basis of floodlights. Why do you need ceiling lights, light strips, and other basic lighting in your living area? What is it for?

What if we switch to a downlight with another beam angle?

This is what 58 degree downlight looks like.

Use it if the effect improves instantly. This problem is solved perfectly. This is so exciting…

Don’t rush…

Let’s first take a look at the common practices of this type of downlightV

The lamp cup has a high reflectivity and is bright, so it will increase the rate of light usage.

This is a picture of the actual testV

• There is virtually no glare when a person looks at the lamp from a distance greater than point A, at 230cm horizontally. This is very good.
• When a person is at point B and looks up at the lamp at a horizontal distance of 100cm from the lamp, it is unacceptable glare.
• The glare increases as a person looks upwards at the lamp while moving from A to B.

Looking straight or slightly raising your head, close to point B or even within point B, the glare is still acceptable.

The bright reflector on the downlight is the main culprit of the glare that you see when you look up at the lamp from a distance.

Remember that our sofas are 20cm or more thick. When we lean back on the couch, the lamp will be directly above us. This means we are exposed to a lot of glare.

Once again, I am disappointed.

So, is there really no solution for downlights? Are light patterns and glare really incompatible?

There’s no real solution. The only solution is not to install it, but only to look at which aspect is more preferred, such as the 58deg “full spectrum” downlight below.

Since you’ve already seen the pattern, I will post another image.

Downlights have nothing to do with photography. Compare spotlights from the same distance.

Have you considered installing downlights?

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Continue to look at the spotlightV

Does it work better than downlights or not? Are you jealous?

You are not satisfied if you only like this.

Anyone with a little knowledge can see that the central beam of the spotlight has long exceeded the frame of the painting, forming an extra strong light on the wall, which is visually very awkward.

Then try another kind of light.

The image below is about 30cm from the wall

When I look at it, it feels better.

Please give me a referral

Usually:

The optical with lenses is located within the point B.

Reflective cups are available from B-A.

The effect will be better, so I won’t explain it now, otherwise it will be another two thousand words longer.

Three recommendations for a low budget

If you use spotlights at point C and choose Philips Pinying, the effect will be slightly better.

Don’t understand?

Read the answers slowly and save them.

How many watts does a living room downlight cost? Which brand is the most cost-effective one?

The problem of taking photos is solved by using spotlights behind the couch. The glare can also be a problem, but by using a different lens and moving the angle closer to the wall you will reduce it.

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Flat top large

This is the paradise of downlights, spotlights and light strips

The same image

• Basic lighting is provided by Light Strip 1.
• Light strip 4 is a cabinet fill-in and atmosphere light.
• Light strip 4 for Ambient Lighting
• Spotlight 2 function sofa wall
• Spotlight 3 functions as coffee table fill light
• Spotlight 6 living room atrium fill light

……………..

TV Wall

It is important to consider the viewing experience when arranging the lamps on your TV wall (hidden light strips are more effective).

1. The atmosphere of the ceiling can be used to conceal the light source.
2. You can also use ceiling downlights/spotlights
3. You can also install hidden light strips on the TV wall. There is no need to use too bright lights in Guanyin mode. Hidden light source allows for 4-6W/M to be sufficient.

2-1 Advantages and disadvantages of using downlights and spotlights

I have mentioned many times in previous articles that if you must use downlights/spotlights on the TV wall, you should avoid the TV to avoid the bad experience of reflection from the TV screen.

The lighting is usually arranged in this way:

1. Install spotlights

If you arrange the lamps in this way, as long as you turn on the lights, no matter whether you turn on the TV or not, there will be obvious glare.

1. Install downlights

Due to the limitations of the side hangings, it is possible that the balloon spots will appear on the wall. This is a very ugly thing.

If spotlights are install-ed, the central beam will be particularly strong. , there will be varying degrees of visual interference.

The following is a reference to the lighting installation method that was previously described:

Although this method has certain feasibility, it also has corresponding disadvantages.

If you look directly at the TV (line of sight 1), you can basically effectively avoid the glare of the lamp.

This method is not successful because the position in which we watch television will not be fixed (sightline 2) all of the time.

The experience will be compromised if the distance between the lights is too short.

Just like the picture below:

Why should we install spotlights and downlights in the TV wall?

• Is it because it looks good?
• Is it because of coordination?
• Is it because others do this that we must do the same?
• What is the primary function of the lamps placed on the TV wall, we should ask ourselves?

I believe everyone has their own answer, but it is nothing more than:

Layer the space

Can you have more atmosphere

Create ambient lighting for movie viewing

Finally, if we think about it in reverse, if the lights we arrange have obvious “side effects”, does such an arrangement still make sense?

2-2. Which solution is more reliable?

Light strips can be used to create the same effect as spotlights.

I drew a few simulation sketches (a bit rough, just read them and understand the meaning).

Example 1:

The TV wall in the picture above uses three strips of light.

Light strip 1: It can be us-ed with the lamps above the ceiling to provide the basic main lighting of the space.

Light strip 2: This method of wall washing will be more uniform, the light will be softer, and it will not interfere with watching TV.

Light strip 3: Low-brightness light strips are use-d for low-level lighting, which instantly enhances the atmosphere and level of the space.

You can also choose light strips with adjustable brightness to suit your needs and meet the lighting requirements of different scenes.

Example 2

The combination of a vertical light strip and slightly brighter ceiling lights will give you the impression that your floor is getting higher, which reduces the feeling of depression.

It can be the perfect way to add light to your movie without interfering with the viewing experience.

Example 3:

You can make horizontal light troughs as well. The principle is the same and it depends on your actual situation and personal preferences.

I believe that this kind of light experience is far better than using spotlights to wash the wall roughly.