Can I use these downlight LEDs for my living room?

crazyvish

We are renovating my living room which and having a new ceiling fit so we can have downlights in it. We want the lights to be Cool White , Discrete and blend into the white ceiling. The living room is a big rectangle and is W 3.7m x L 7.2m x H 3.5m. We are having a total of 18 slots put for downlights.

Searching around the web, I found these in toolstation. These are to my taste and also fit my budget.



As they are IP40 rated, wondering whether they are made for bathrooms alone and that it would look odd in my living? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Doozergirl

You haven't given us the link, but IP40 isn't bathroom rated at all as it's the second number that would indicate that. IP40 provides no protection from water.

You've described the exact opposite of what lighting I'd expect in a relaxing area, but each to their own!

crazyvish

Thank you for your response. Here is the link (hopefully I can paste it this time )

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p42165

You've described the exact opposite of what lighting I'd expect in a relaxing area, but each to their own!

In addition to these we'll be having ceiling/Spotlights and wall lights which are warm and dimmable.

Alan2020

We have 130mm dimmable downlighters in bedroom, and lounge. They are warm white and diffuse well. Got 18 in lounge and 7 and 6 in both double bedrooms.
I would avoid cool white, we use them in bathroom and kitchen in gu10 fitting. More sharp and bright. Hope it helps

crazyvish

Thanks Alan. They have warm white as well in this model. So you think this model fits a living room and it doesn't look odd? I believe I must personally need to go into Toolstation and have look to see how they appear.

crazyvish

As a 2nd option, we are looking to get these connectors and then lights to our liking.

https://www.ledhut.co.uk/gu10-fire-rated-downlight-fitting-quick-conector-w.html

Doozergirl

crazyvish wrote: »

Thank you for your response. Here is the link (hopefully I can paste it this time )

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p42165


In addition to these we'll be having ceiling/Spotlights and wall lights which are warm and dimmable.

You're thinking too hard. It isn't a bathroom light and as a an object it says virtually nothing, which is exactly what I'd hope for in a downlighter bezel.

However, given that this is MSE, if you already have plans for additional lighting that is warm white and works in a lounge, then why do you need 18 cool white downlighters unless you're planning to double it up as a part time operating theatre or a guide for passing air traffic.

There's an obsession in this country with 'the big light'. Why do we need a big light in a lounge? If you want task lighting, localise it to the areas where you're performing the task. There's no need to let the electrician go nuts and spend money on lights that aren't needed.

ComicGeek

Wall lights and 5A lamp sockets, so that you can turn off all floor mounted and table mounted lamps centrally. You've got the ceiling height for it - providing two sets of spot lights with different light fittings and lamp colours just sounds crazy. Installing 5A sockets involves some wall chasing and rewiring, but sounds like you're doing a lot of this anyway - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p61631

Downlights in a living room are just awful. I put in dimmable downlights, wall lights and 5A lamp sockets into our lounge and dining room 8 years ago, and can count on one hand the number of times I've turned the downlights on - complete waste of money, particularly if you're only replacing the ceiling to install them!

lewisa

I think you are getting too many lights.

We have a 3.5m by 6.5m with 12 lights and when all 12 are on it's like the surface of the sun.

They are rarely used and we mostly use the lamps.

edit - Although they are good when dusting and cleaning, and absolutely fantastic when trying to find that one Lego piece the kid has dropped but needs to find to finish whatever he is building.

crazyvish

Thank you all for your replies. I understand what you say. Unfortunately, I am a novice at this and added to this, I am a first time buyer with very short time in hand to move into this house. As my little one is allergic to dust I rushed into getting these things done before moving in, I blindly followed what my builder suggested as I wanted the house to be bright and clear for my kids.

I am away from the town since the renovation project has started. I've spoke to the builder last night and found that he hadn't put any holes in the ceiling yet so I will try and cut down the number of downlights to put in. The room is split into two with an arch, so each set of lights have been split across two switches. Not all operate at the same time.

Thank you all for taking the time and responding to my question. Much appreciated.

Alan2020

Some things,

Please check if all the downlighers are fire rated!! If they are not you will need to buy fire hoods

The lower your ceiling you will need more

We went for downlighting as it’s a neat solution keeping clean lines, however this depends on your market and house, ours is a 60s house, most fittings don’t look nice, people like hanging fittings but these are too low.

I personally think wall lights won’t mix with downlighting. But you need to ask a fashion conscious person. It’s like putting a timber framed sash window in a modern glass house.