To date, the stretch ceiling is the most common option for finishing the ceiling. It allows not only to make a smooth and aesthetic surface, but also to organize high-quality and efficient lighting, thanks to the presence of a large number of lamp options, each of which, to one degree or another, affects the final cost of finishing the ceiling. This article will consider spotlights, rules and options for their placement on a stretch ceiling.
Content
Schemes and options for the location of spotlights on a stretch ceiling, depending on the room
The location and number of spotlights depends on several factors:
- purpose of the premises: for example, the kitchen may require brighter lighting, especially near the work area, but the bedroom is softer and more comfortable;
- lamp power: more powerful lamps cover a larger area and, accordingly, they are required less;
- number of zones: room lighting can be divided into zones (decorative lighting, lighting above the bed) or according to the purpose of the light (night, bright, decorative).
In any case, an important factor to focus on is your own preferences. But some recommendations below will help you navigate and understand the intricacies of organizing lighting in each room.
The most common typical luminaire layouts for different rooms are shown in the pictures below.
For the bedroom
The bedroom is a zone of sleep and rest, therefore, as a rule, bright lighting and a large number of lamps are not required here. Most often in modern interiors, multi-level ceilings are used with the division of lighting zones into soft and basic. There are a lot of options and layouts, the most common: in the form of an oval or square around the perimeter of the bed for the main lighting, as well as corner lamps for evening lighting.
There may not be any division into zones, since weak lamps or a dimmer can be used to adjust the brightness of the lighting depending on the current need.
Normal, when using LED spotlights in the bedroom, is to meet the condition of 2 W / m2. But if the room already has sconces, floor lamps or other lighting devices, then this rate can be reduced.
For the living room
The living room is the largest room in the house, designed for gathering guests, relaxing and entertaining, and therefore requires good and bright lighting. In this room, spotlights can be placed together with a chandelier, both as additional lighting and as the main lighting for the living room.
When thinking over the layout of the lamps in the living room, it is important not to forget that in order to comfortably watch a home theater or TV, you need to delimit the room into a dark and illuminated zone.
In general, the power norm of LED lamps for this room is 3 W / m2, but, of course, the final decision on the power of lighting fixtures should be made based on your own desires, the shape and number of levels of the stretch ceiling.
For children's room
In the children's room, the lighting should be sufficient so that the child can play, do homework or do something without the risk of damaging his eyesight. Therefore, it is not worth saving on the quantity and quality of fixtures.
The nursery can be divided into zones with soft lighting above the bed and bright lighting above the place where the child will study, play or study.
The norm of lighting with LED spotlights is in the range of 5 to 8 W per square meter for a children's room.
In the kitchen
The kitchen is often combined with the dining room, so here you can also zone the lighting. Lamps can be placed above the dining table and kitchen work area, or you can make general lighting by placing spotlights in a square or oval, which will cover all areas at once.
When planning lighting in the kitchen, it is important to properly consider the location of the fixtures so that they are not located above the kitchen cabinets and other elements of the suite that will overlap the lighting fixtures.
For the kitchen, spotlights should be chosen based on the calculation of 4 W per square meter. If there is a chandelier, the number of lamps or their power can be reduced.
In bathroom
The number and power of fixtures in the bathroom depends on the layout. In combined bathrooms, they require more, unlike a separate bathroom. But in general, the basic rule for placing spotlights in the stretch ceiling of the bathroom is as follows: the lamps should be placed above the bathtub, washbasin, in places where the mirror is located.
When organizing lighting in the bathroom, you can use the general layout of spotlights. The calculation of the quantity with this method is based on the norm for LED lamps for this type of room: at least 2 W / m2. Of course, the brighter the lighting, the more convenient it will be for women to apply makeup, men to shave, and the whole family to wash in the bathroom.
Do not forget about the evening / night lighting. Sometimes you need to visit the bathroom at night, and bright lighting can cause discomfort. Therefore, it is worth considering in advance an area for evening lighting and a separate switch for him.
In the corridor and hallway
Typically, hallways in residential apartments are narrow and elongated rooms, so fixtures in stretch ceilings are placed along one (sometimes two) long lines. The number of spotlights depends on the length of this room, while power led dots should be at least 1 W per square meter.
Mirrors are also often located in the hallway, so for convenience it is best to use bright lamps or place them more often.
Useful tips for placing fixtures
Of course, the location of the fixtures and the brightness of the lighting in each room mainly depends on the owner and user of the room. But in order not to make a mistake and organize the correct and effective lighting, you can follow some important tips:
- The minimum distances for the location of spotlights on a stretch ceiling: from the edge of the lamp to the wall is at least 20 cm (for high-quality light scattering), from lamp to lamp at least 30 cm (depending on lamp power), and from the seam of the ceiling is not less than 15 cm;
- When chandeliers and dots are jointly located on the ceiling, spotlights are placed around the perimeter of the room in the least illuminated places;
- When installing more than 20 points, it is worth considering grouping and separate power supply for each group. For example, you can combine evening lighting lamps into one group, and the main one into another;
- When designing lighting, it is worth focusing on the type of room, zoning, the purpose of lighting and the minimum value of the illumination norm for this type of room;
- When using a glossy stretch ceiling, the power of the lamps or their number can be reduced, since such a ceiling allows you to visually enlarge the room and increase the brightness of the lamps;
- It is also worth focusing on the fact that one lighting point is able to illuminate a space of about 1.5 square meters around it;
- The most effective way to apply energy saving LED spotlights for stretch ceilings: they heat up less and illuminate the space very efficiently, while having the lowest energy consumption.
