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Good lighting in a home is essential for daily life, as it allows you to carry out all kinds of activities without any problems. As it is not always enough to install a light bulb on the wall, as it will not light the rooms evenly, here we will help you to buy the best ceiling light on the market.
A ceiling light allows you to have good lighting in your rooms, as they spread the light better to cover every corner. In addition, they come in a large number of presentations, designs and levels of brightness, to match your home and your needs, which is why we are going to help you choose the best one.
Summary
- A ceiling light is a lamp which, unlike normal hanging models, is secured to the ceiling or wall. They save a lot of space and reduce visual noise in rooms. They are perfect for installation in small flats or to give a modern feel to homes and offices.
- In addition to ceiling lights, there are also models secured to walls, floors and even staircases. There is not much difference in the installation method of all of them, and they serve the same purpose of illuminating rooms. They can also be classified by their level of brightness.
- The first thing to consider when choosing a decorative ceiling light is the size you need. Often the size of a ceiling light is directly related to its light output. You can also recognise its brightness by the watts it requires to operate, and the more watts it requires, the more powerful its light will be.
The best ceiling: Our Picks
Buying guide: What you need to know about ceiling lights
To help you get to know these products better, in this section we’ve put together the basics about ceiling lights. We’ll start by explaining what a ceiling light is and what its advantages are, then we’ll explain the different types. We will also introduce you to the best places to buy them and their most frequent prices.
What is a ceiling light and what are its advantages?
Decorative soffits are a visually pleasing way to light rooms, without the need to install bulky, old-fashioned pendant lights. They achieve this by being incorporated into the structure in which they are installed, which increases the perception of space in rooms and reduces visual noise.
Direct light ceiling lights, indirect light ceiling lights, omnidirectional lighting, wall lights – what to look out for?
Direct light: These ceiling lights direct the light in a directional way to where they are needed. They are ideal for places where good lighting is essential, such as press rooms, party rooms or presentation stages. Their weak point is their low general illumination, so they are not recommended for illuminating rooms.
Indirect light: This type of ceiling light is the complete opposite of direct light, as it diffuses the light to offer it in a general way. It is very common to find them hidden in the ceiling or in the walls, in order to save even more space. They do not offer as powerful light as other types of ceiling lights, so they are often used as decoration.
Omnidirectional light: An omnidirectional ceiling light offers the best levels of general illumination. They are perfect for use in living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, studios or anywhere where good overall lighting is essential. They are usually large, powerful and aim to cover every corner of the room with light.
Wall: Wall lights are often similar to indirect lighting, as they are rarely used as a method of lighting as such. They are used as decoration in gardens, parks and shopping centres. Smaller ones can even be mounted on stairs and even the floor.
| Direct light | Indirect light | Omnidirectional light | Wall-mounted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlighting features | Provides unidirectional light | Diffuses light, blends in with the ceiling | Provides good lighting levels | Can be installed on walls |
| Versatility | Its lamp can change position | The panels that conceal it can be changed | None | The panels that conceal them can be changed |
| Watts used | 5 to 20 watts | 18 to 30 watts | 21 to 72 watts | 18 to 30 watts |
| Ideal for | Press rooms, shop windows, presentation platforms | Decorative ceiling elements | Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, garages, studios, offices | Decorative elements on walls |
How much does a ceiling light cost?
Omnidirectional light ceiling lights cost from MXN 140 to MXN 3,400, depending on how large they are. Wall-mounted ceiling lights are priced similarly to indirect lighting. It should be noted that it is also possible to use many of the ceiling models on walls and floors, as long as they are well secured.
Where to buy ceiling lights?
There are a lot of chains that sell ceiling lights, such as Office Depot, Home Depot, Lumikon Mx, Light in the Box, Lighting Phillips, Plafones Mexico, Plafomax, Plafones MG, Panel Rey, Homify, Plaforama, Camy Mx, Lummi and Sky and Wall. You can also go to local shops dedicated to the sale of home improvement and lighting.
Purchasing criteria
Plafones are simple and easy to understand products, and now that you know the basics about them, you should know the purchasing factors that have more weight when buying these products. Knowing them will allow you to make the most of their features, so you can use them efficiently in the place you need them.
Size
One of the easiest ways to calculate the diameter of the ceiling panel needed for the room is to add the width to the length of the room measured in feet, then convert the result to inches. To do the calculations use this formula: Width + Length = Area, that area must then be converted into inches.
For example, if you have a room that is 5 feet long by 6 feet wide, you would have an area of 11 feet, which means you need a ceiling that is at least 11 inches in diameter. It is much easier to do this calculation in feet, as it gets a little complicated when using the metric system.
You also have the option of adding a set of small lights, so that you can cover even the smallest corners. The advantage of using multiple small (5 to 12w) lights is that you can install a lighting control kit. This would allow you to turn each one on and off individually to create a personalised ambience.
Material
The material the ceiling is covered with will influence its price, weight and lifespan. If your budget is not an issue, you can simply choose the one that is most visually pleasing to you. Many panels use glass or plastic panels or covers, and it should be noted that over time the properties of each will vary.
Plastic: These are the cheapest and lightest. Ceilings with plastic coverings are perfect for use in places where they will not be lit very regularly, such as bathrooms or rooms with lots of natural light. They can lose clarity over time, decreasing their ability to transmit light.
Glass: Ceiling lights that use glass to cover their light are generally more expensive and heavier. It is common to find this material in medium to high end and older models. They have long lifetimes and are ideal for use in kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms and hallways, as these are places where constant light is often required.
Protection rating
Although it is not common, some companies let buyers know the protection rating (IP) of the ceiling lights they offer. This rating is read as IPXY, where X and Y are numbers representing protection against dust and water respectively. The right choice of IP will make the difference between a safe and an unsafe installation.
| IP | Dirt protection | Water protection |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | None | None |
| 1 | Protected against particles of 50 mm diameter or more | Light spill protection |
| 2 | Protected against particles of 12.5 mm diameter or more | Spill resistant equipment up to 10 minutes |
| 3 | Protected against particles of 2. 5 mm in diameter or larger | Protection against water up to 10 litres per minute for up to 5 minutes |
| 4 | Protected against particles of 1 mm in diameter or larger | Full protection against water up to 10 litres per minute for up to 5 minutes |
| 5 | Highly dust resistant | Resistant against water jets of 12.5 litres per minute for 3 minutes |
| 6 | Fully dust resistant | Resistant against water jets of 100 litres per minute for 3 minutes |
| 7 | Not available | Will withstand immersion to 1 metre for 30 minutes |
| 8 | Not available | 100% resistant against submersion |
Installation location
To install ceiling lights in rooms, halls, corridors and bathroom ceilings away from water they will need protection of at least IP44, as they will be protected from any possible accidents. If you will be using them in a workshop, garage or work area with tools, you will need a dust IP of at least level 5.
To install a ceiling light relatively close to water safely, it will need a minimum protection of IP65, as it will be protected in case some drops come into contact with it. If you are very close, look for IP67 to make sure it is resistant against accidental water jets.
(Featured image source: skdesign / 123rf.com)
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