Spotlights have some advantages over other similar elements, for this reason they can be used for almost any ceiling coating. In addition, the installation of spotlights will help simulate the arrangement of light in any room, making it original and completely new.
Due to the widespread use of suspended ceilings with bulbs, the question of their exact location is relevant for many. There are a lot of variations in the placement of light elements, and each owner, without any doubt, wants to find something individual that will delight any guest.
Basic criteria and principle
When installing a spotlight, some rules must be observed:
- Not sure which luminaires for suspended ceilings are better? Given the fact that spotlights are very close to the ceiling, they should have a small degree of heat dissipation. The limit parameter for a stretch ceiling made of PVC film is 40 watts, for fabric material - 60 watts. If we are talking about halogen bulbs, this indicator drops to 20 and 35 watts.
- The gap between the ceiling and the lighting fixture must be measured very carefully. The minimum distance from the ceiling to the chandelier is 15 cm, if the surface is covered with PVC film, then the distance from the point element must be at least 20 cm.
- When zone lighting is planned, it is recommended that you choose a swivel lamp. Thus, it is possible to achieve that the room will be divided into bright zones, but there will be no crowding on the ceiling surface.
- It is very important to correctly calculate the required number of spotlights. In order to do this, the following recommendations must be observed: two square meters of ceiling space have one lighting element. For example, for a room with an area of 25 square meters, approximately 15 light elements will be required.
Choosing the right location
To distribute lighting fixtures correctly, you need to take into account some factors:
- The purpose of the room: corridor, hall, hallway or dining room.
- The scale and geometry of the room as a whole.
- The presence of lighting with natural (daylight) light.
- The need for zoning.
- Installation of spotlights only or with a chandelier.
Division into zones is most often required in large rooms, as well as in the kitchen. It is here that there is a need to focus on the area for cooking and the area for its reception.
Light bulb selection
In the design of a stretch ceiling with bulbs, different light sources can be used:
- Light bulbs.
- Halogen elements.
- Fluorescent lamps.
- LEDs
In a word, any elements can be applied - from incandescent lamps to LED ones. Nevertheless, when it comes to stretch ceilings, in no case should incandescent lamps be installed! In addition, you should not choose the maximum power from others, since the PVC film has a limiting heating temperature. In this case, it is recommended to use LED lamps, which not only do not heat the ceiling, but also save energy. In addition, the use of LEDs greatly simplifies the installation of lighting.
Location of luminaires on a stretch ceiling: four elements
There are 4 ways to disperse 4 lights on the ceiling:
- Symmetrical arrangement.
- And asymmetric.
An ideal composition for 4 elements is a symmetrical arrangement. This arrangement of bulbs resembles the “four” in the famous game “Domino”. This is when all points are placed evenly, with the same distance from the walls and corners of the room. Of course, in practice, the location may be different - it all depends on the shape of the room.
Two elements: tasteless and tasteful
In this case, the arrangement variations are even less:
- Diagonal. Equal distances must be retreated from the corners - at least 20 cm.
- Central. In this case, a distance of at least 30 cm must be maintained between the fixtures.
- Zoning. It is carried out if necessary.
The location of the luminaires on the stretch ceiling in the amount of two pieces is considered the simplest and budget, which means that such a scheme is found most often.
Despite all the standards, a lot rests on the type of room and its purpose.
Optimal spacing between spotlights
For measured and bright light around the perimeter, there should be an equal distance between the lighting devices. This is the only requirement if clearly defined tasks exist. In other cases, if there is no need for uniform lighting or zoning exists, this rule does not apply.
Zoning is always a must. Consider the main cases:
- Spacious room that needs to be divided into several zones.
- Separation of the room into zones is necessary in an apartment - a studio, when the room is both a place of rest (sleep), and a working space (a place to work at a computer), and even space for children's games.
In both cases, an individual lighting intensity is made in each zone, and the number of bulbs for the stretch ceiling is also selected. In the children's area, the brightness should be maximum during games and minimum at night. In the working area, the light should be moderate. In the adult part, the light is soft and minimal.
Three lights: no standards
To install fixtures in a suspended ceiling (3 lamps), there are most of all layouts. Consider the most common of them:
- Lamps are located along the ceiling center line.
- Triangle (isosceles or even irregular).
- The location of the lamps is a snake.
- Placement of spotlights from the corners diagonally.
In addition to these options, there is always a chaotic (asymmetric) arrangement. As in any case, the schemes developed for the three fixtures are used depending on the preferences of the apartment owner, on the perception of light, the type and purpose of the room.
Lighting in the main rooms: living room
You need to plan lighting separately for each room, since they all differ in purpose.
Not sure which luminaires to be installed on the suspended ceiling in the hall ? The living room is one of the most important rooms in the entire apartment or house, for this reason it should have good lighting. A large beautiful chandelier is installed in the central part of the ceiling, and spot lighting elements with less power are located around the perimeter. A stretch ceiling with a chandelier and spotlights for the guest room is an ideal solution, because when the main lighting is turned off, the lamps located on the edges give the effect of dimmed light.
Bathroom and toilet
In these rooms, the installation of lamps in a suspended ceiling in large quantities is not performed. Most often, 10 elements of lighting are enough in the bathroom, which advantageously emphasize the style of the room and highlight decor items. Conducting water procedures in such a room will be very comfortable. Since the bathroom is usually small, it is not recommended to experiment and install the fixtures in the suspended ceiling at different distances.
Bedroom
The installation of soft light will be sufficient in this room, since wall lamps mounted on the sides of the bed are most often used for reading books. A good installation option is to disguise the fixtures in the suspended ceiling in a small room. Thus, you get an additional effect - a visual increase in space.
Corridor
The distribution of spotlights on the stretch ceiling in the corridor will be entirely subordinate to the shape of the room. For example, if a room is narrow and long enough for single-row lighting of three to five bulbs, a square room will require two rows of four lamps.
Conclusion
The number of light bulbs on the suspended ceiling in a particular room, according to which scheme they will be placed, is decided first of all by the owner of the apartment. What type of lighting devices will be and how you will combine them is also up to you. The same applies to the breakdown of the ceiling into zones, but here it should first be based on the type of premises and its purpose. Of course, the aesthetic component plays a big role in lighting your apartment, but do not forget that the main emphasis must be placed on such an important parameter as the accurate and rational distribution of elements.