While failures without a main light are common, especially with spotlights, knowing these parameters early on can completely avoid them. Today, Xiaofang will discuss how to create a premium look with spotlights.
Beam Angle Selection
15°: Highly focused, suitable for focal lighting, such as volumetric decorations or artwork.
24°: Between 15° and 36°, suitable for accent lighting, such as coffee tables and dining tables.
36°: Relatively soft center light, suitable for wall washing, hallways, and entryways.
Note: A 36° beam angle is generally a safe choice for home use.
Distinguishing Spotlights
Testing shows that spotlights with a 36° beam angle are the most suitable for wall washing, so the measured data here is for spotlights with a 36° beam angle.
36° spotlights feature a wider spotlight angle, creating a hilly effect and visually stretching the width of a space. They are ideal for sofa walls, TV walls, and at the ends of hallways. Distance between lights: 80cm-120cm is generally a good start.
Too close: The light spots will overlap, creating a small, understated look.
Too far: The hills won’t connect.
Wall Distance for Spotlights
a. Generally, a spotlight’s distance from the wall of 15cm-30cm is generally a good start. Special cases may require further consideration. For detailed data, please refer to the measured data in the table in Figure 3.
Too close to the wall: Overexposure/excessive secondary spotlights/light hitting the eyelids.
Too far from the wall: The light spot won’t hit the wall, defeating the purpose of wall-washing.
Note: The above distances refer to the center of the opening.
Choosing Color Temperature
3000k warm light: Soft light creates a cozy and warm atmosphere.
3500k natural light: Between 3000k and 4000k, it helps those struggling with color temperature.
4000k neutral light: Close to natural light, bright and refreshing, creating a comfortable atmosphere. Choosing a Regional Color Temperature
Living Room: 4000k for a refreshing and bright environment
Dining Room: 3500k-4000k for a satisfying and satisfying dining experience
Bedroom: 3000k-3500k for sweet dreams
Kitchen: 4000k-5000k for delicious creations
Bathroom: 4000k-5000k for a bright and clean environment
Note: Try to choose the same color temperature for the same space. If different areas need to be separated, it’s recommended that the color temperature differ by no more than 500k to reduce visual fatigue.
How to Choose Wattage?
The wattage selection depends on the situation.
1. If spotlights are used as the main lighting source for the entire space, the wattage should be selected based on the size and layout of the space.
For example, if 3W/m² is sufficient for a living room, then, assuming the living room is 18 m², the required wattage for the entire space is 54W, requiring eight 7W spotlights or six 9W spotlights.
2. If the lighting is simply used for wall washing or painting illumination, 7W is sufficient.