Placing LED spots: choosing recessed, surface-mounted and adjustable spots

In short

• Recessed spots: in a hole in the ceiling, for a sleek result. Measure the hole size and installation depth first.
• Surface-mounted spots: on the ceiling or wall, without sawing a hole. Handy with a concrete ceiling.
• Adjustable spots: tiltable, to light up a wall, painting or work surface.
• Spacing: count on roughly 1 to 1.5 metres between spots at a standard ceiling height, and not too close to the wall.

Recessed spots

Recessed spots disappear into the ceiling and give the sleekest result. You saw a hole for each spot (often 60 to 90 mm). Check the hole size and installation depth beforehand, because above a suspended ceiling there isn’t always room. Also take a look at the LED panels and downlights if you are looking for a larger, flat recessed fitting.

Surface-mounted spots

You mount surface-mounted spots on the ceiling or wall, without sawing. Ideal with a concrete ceiling, in a rented home or when there is no room above the ceiling. There are often several in one fitting (a spot bar or track).

Adjustable spots

You can tilt and turn an adjustable spot, so you aim the light exactly at a wall, painting, worktop or cabinet. Choose tiltable if you want accent lighting, and fixed if you only need even ceiling light.

Number of spots

First calculate how much light you need (lumens) and divide that by the lumens per spot. An ordinary GU10 spot gives about 300 to 500 lumens. For a living room that doesn’t need to be bright that is less than for a kitchen or workplace. See What is a lumen? for the calculation.

Spacing between spots

With a ceiling of about 2.5 metres, spots usually work well 1 to 1.5 metres apart. Keep about 30 to 50 cm from the wall, unless you deliberately want to light up a wall. Place spots in a regular pattern, and preferably in rows rather than scattered.

Placing above work surfaces

Above a worktop or desk you place spots slightly in front of you, so you don’t cast a shadow on your own work. You can find more room ideas at LED kitchen lighting and living room.

Fitting

GU10 runs on 230 volts and is the most commonly used spot. GU5.3 (MR16) runs on 12 volts and needs a transformer. When replacing, go by your existing fitting.

Beam angle

A narrow beam (around 36 degrees) gives accent light, a wide beam (around 60 degrees or more) lights a larger space more evenly. For general lighting you choose wide.

Light colour and dimming

Warm white (2700 to 3000K) for living room and bedroom, neutral white (4000K) for kitchen and workplace. You can read more in LED colour temperature. If you want to dim, choose dimmable spots and a suitable dimmer, see Dimmable LED lighting.

IP rating for damp rooms

In the bathroom or outdoors the spot must be waterproof enough. See IP rating explained and the LED bathroom lighting.

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