A guide to choosing LED ceiling downlights

When you want to create the right ambience and style in a room or space, the LED lighting you choose can be vitally important. LED downlights are a popular choice for use as ceiling lights in place of one single ceiling light, but you must consider certain factors before making your final choice.

In this guide, we will explain what LED downlights are, what they can be used for, what to consider when choosing and installing LED downlights and why you should choose them over halogen bulbs.

What are LED ceiling downlights?

LED downlights are a type of recessed downlight which can be placed in the ceiling. They are less fragile than standard halogen lightbulbs and can provide you with a range of colour temperature options.

What can ceiling LED downlights be used for?

LED downlights can be used for a number of purposes. They are excellent for replacing pendant lights, creating a more modern and updated look.

They can be easily used to create different lighting zones, as they often warm or cool colour temperatures, and can often be dimmed. They work equally well as bright ceiling lights for illuminating a room, or as ambient lighting, in a space you want to keep calm and cosy.

Factors to consider when installing/choosing LED downlights

While LED ceiling downlights offer a stylish lighting solution for your home, there are some factors you should consider before purchasing them.

Position

It’s important to know where your LED downlights will need to be positioned to offer the best lighting in a room. For example, in a kitchen they should be positioned very carefully. When they are placed over a worktop, it’s important to make sure they do not cast a shadow when you are preparing food. Instead, you will have a beautiful, clean light that will allow you to work carefully and see exactly what you’re doing.

Fire safety

Whether you’re installing LED downlights in a domestic or commercial setting, it’s important to consider fire safety and, potentially, building regulations. When installing LED ceiling downlights, fire-rated LED downlights might be a requirement to keep the building as safe as possible.

Number of lights

When buying LED ceiling downlights, you need to be sure you are purchasing the correct number of lights. This will depend on the brightness of the bulb and what the space is used for. For instance, when you are placing LED downlights in a kitchen, brighter light is needed than if you are installing them in a bathroom.

Space between lights

It’s also important to think about the layout of LED downlights. Making sure that they look good in the space is important, so you need to consider the space between them, what the room’s focal points are, what the ceiling height is and where the ceiling edges are. It is important to consider beam angles too. All of these factors will help you to work out where the best places to install your LED downlights are.

Purpose of the room

On a similar note, it’s important to consider what the room is used for. Is it a room where you need a lot of bright lighting, or is it a room where you want to relax and simply watch TV? This will dictate the colour temperature and brightness you require. Do you want your downlights to be dimmable?

Thinking carefully about these factors will help you to find the perfect LED downlights for your ceiling.

Best locations for LED downlights

LED ceiling downlights can be used in pretty much any room in the home and in offices and commercial spaces. However, depending on where you install them, they will serve slightly different functions.

Kitchens

LED ceiling downlights are excellent for kitchen spaces as they can be placed above worktops for bright lighting, perfect for cooking and food preparation.

Living rooms

LED ceiling downlights also work well in living rooms because they will provide a warm glow which encourages a cosy feeling, ideal for relaxing. They are also more flexible than traditional ceiling lights, as you do not have to have them only overhead. This is perfect for rooms with very high ceilings.

Bathrooms

When installed in your bathroom and if you choose the right type of LED downlight, they are resistant to steam and water. IP65 rated LED downlights can be used above your bath or shower without worrying about them becoming damaged or faulty, unlike traditional lighting options.

Study

If you require bright light to help you focus, LED downlights are great for a study space. They can be positioned over your desk so that you always have the optimal light that you need to work and concentrate properly.

Why choose LED ceiling downlights over halogen bulbs?

There are a huge number of reasons to choose LED ceiling downlights over standard halogen downlights including:

• Longer lifespan
• More energy efficient
• No UV or heat radiation emitted
• Robust
• High performance

Top picks: our best-selling LED ceiling downlights

We have a range of amazing LED downlights to choose from, so you can make the best choice for your home.

Product	Wattage	Colour Temp	Lifespan	Warranty	Price
All In One LED Dimmable Downlight	12w	3000k, 4000k, 6000k	50,000 hours	5 years	£21.52 inc VAT	Buy Now
SOLO Tilt All In One Dimmable Downlight	10w	3000k, 4000k, 6000k	50,000	5 years	£19.97 inc VAT	Buy Now
Philips LED Coreline Recessed Spot 840 – Dimmable	6w	4000k	30,000-50,000 hours	3 years	£25 inc VAT	Buy Now

At LSO, we have a team of experts on-hand to help you choose the right lighting solutions for your project or application. Please contact our team today for more advice and guidance.