With a plethora of lighting options readily available in the market, planning for lights in a new home can seem like a daunting task for new homeowners. A common phrase we often hear from our customers when they visit our store is, ‘where do I start?’
Our response to that is usually begin with understanding our homeowners’ preferences and separating our lights into several broad categories, then helping them grasp the overall idea a bit better. Today, we will be looking at one of our most popular of these categories: spotlights.
An Overview
In the context of home lighting, the term ‘spotlight’ usually refers to a ceiling light fixture that provides defined downwards illumination. They can come in surface-mounted or recessed forms, and some even have the flexibility to tilt the light beam, tune to specific colour tone or intensity as pleased.
As the name suggests, the primary function of spotlights is to provide a more focused ‘spot’ of light effect in a space. When placed strategically, spotlights can create depth and contrast in a space without having to compromise on functionality. Through precise illumination of specific areas, spotlights can be used in many applications, e.g. accentuating artwork, illuminating centrepieces, creating a ‘cosy feel’ in rooms. The versatility spotlights provide offer countless possibilities in creative architectural lighting design, and make them suitable for use in both commercial and residential settings.
Types of Spotlights
In Singapore, most spotlights available on the market now utilize LED technology. LED lights provide numerous advantages over conventional incandescent, halogen or fluorescent lights, including:
· Longer lifespans
· More energy-efficient
· Higher cost-efficiency
· Multiple functions available (i.e changeable colors, smart)
With the advent of modern LED technology, choosing LED lights are more often than not the best option – some countries (e.g. Singapore, America) have even gone to the extent of banning the sale of halogen and incandescent lights since 2023. As such, we strongly recommend choosing spotlights that utilize LED modules or bulbs.
Multiple functions from LED spotlights are available for different needs and from the extensive selection, there is definitely something for everyone. Functions includes:
Dimmable: Dimmability is no longer a novelty for modern home-owners. It is a must! The flexibility to tune the brightness of the living space is what an urban lifestyle is about.
Tuneable light colour: To be able to switch light colour as and when desired is important for home-owners who uses the room/area as a multi-purpose space. With our houses space gets smaller, it is no surprise our space needs to be multi-functional. With latest technology, switching of light colors does not necessarily need to be “choppy” anymore. Gradual transition between warm light to white light can be smooth and precise.
Smart: Smart lights have the ability like no other. Its concept is beyond convenience, it is the next standard of living. To control everything within the tips of your fingers and set complicated commands to elevates the quality of living, ensuring you have more time for more important things in life.
Picking a design
Aside from aesthetics, the following are some good points of consideration when picking a spotlight design:
· Will it be recessed in a false ceiling, or mounted on the surface of the ceiling?
· What is your illumination requirement for the space? Well-lit or cosy ambience?
· Do you require the light to be able to point in a certain direction other than down?
· What functions do you need (i.e. dimmable)?
· Should you go for bulb-based or built-in LED chip type?
· Do you need an anti-glare feature?
· If using a bulb-based spotlight, how easy is it to gain access to the bulb?
· If using built-in spotlight, how easy to replace the light?
· What is the lifespan of the spotlights?
· How much depth clearance do I need in my false ceiling for a recessed spotlight?
Based on the above questions, most people will be able to narrow down their choices of spotlight fixtures to a much defined number.
Spotlight Maintenance
To look at spotlight maintenance, it helps to classify them further into two groups: built-in LED spotlights, and bulb-based spotlights.
Built-in LED spotlights are fixtures that consist of a driver and an LED chip that are built into the casing of the spotlight itself. An example of this will be our Mini Demi Ceiling Lamp: https://www.shioklighting.com/product-page/demi-mini-ceiling-lamp-white
In Singapore, drivers from built-in requires safety mark labels. There are many lighting vendors does not have that so remember to check that out before purchasing. Over here at Shiok Lighting’s built-in lights comes with safety marked drivers.
The con of built-in is when the light fails, it will be necessary to replace the whole unit. However, built-in types are generally brighter than bulbs, which is ideal for high ceilings or commercial spaces. So, it depends on individual needs and wants.
On the other hand, bulb-based spotlights are fixtures that utilize a removable bulb. An example of this will be our Soleil Spotlight: https://www.shioklighting.com/product-page/soleil-spotlight-round-white
When these lights fail, getting it up and running again is simply a matter of changing the bulb in the spotlight to a new one. With most light designs, this can be done easily without the need of any special tools.
The case against spotlights
As with all things in life, spotlights may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Perceptions and preferences in terms of lighting can be very subjective, and this is why so many products exist on the market. However, there are some pre-conceived notions against spotlights that we often hear from our customers:
Spotlights tend to be very ‘hot’. This is likely a misconception carried over from the days of incandescent/halogen lights, which generate significantly more heat vs. their LED counterparts. With current LED technology, the heat generated by light bulbs used in residential settings can only be reasonably felt when touching the light bulb directly.
Spotlights make the space very dark While it is true that spotlights cast a narrower beam vs. conventional ceiling light fixtures, the light output spotlights provide is usually able to light up most living spaces to a degree most individuals will find to be sufficiently ‘bright’. Placement, colour temperature, and choice of light source all comes into play here – as such, with proper planning and advice. From our decade long experience in lighting, LED spotlights are able to work in most living spaces. Another point of note will be that dark areas (sometimes known as negative spaces) in a space can actually contribute to creating a cosy ambience by creating depth and contrast and should not always be seen in a bad light.
Spotlights are glaring Glare exists in almost all types of light fixtures, and is not an issue exclusive to spotlights. And the brighter the light is, the higher the visual glare. Make sense right? In fact, some spotlights even have an anti-glare elements integrated into their design (e.g. bulb recessed deeper into light housing), which help to mitigate this issue. If you are sensitive to glare, keep a lookout for spotlight designs with anti-glare and dimmable features. An example of this will be our Eclipse Spotlight: https://www.shioklighting.com/product-page/eclipse-spotlight-white
Spotlight on spotlights
In conclusion, LED spotlights are a modern lighting solution that combines efficiency, durability and functionality. Their versatility and the variety of designs available have made them a go-to choice among architects, designers, and homeowners looking for creative and sophisticated ways to light up their space. Whether it’s a small, cosy balcony for weekly night-time gatherings with friends, or a large conference room that can hold up to multiple personnel, spotlights can provide you with countless ways to brighten things up.
Click here to discover more spotlight designs. Wish to speak to one of our lighting specialists? Simply pop by our gallery during our operating hours! We are look forward meeting you.
Here is our address and operation hours:
1093 Lower Delta Road # 07-20 S169204
Tue - Sat 11am to 7pm
Sun, Mon & PHs: Closed