CMD Lighting

CMD, for Creativ Metalldesign, is a German manufacturer of metal outdoor lights. This collection brings together its wall lights, ceiling lights and cordless table lamps, in stainless steel or aluminium, most often with an anthracite finish.

The IP rating decides the location before the style does: IP44 under a canopy, IP54 on a wall exposed to splashes, IP65 for a facade open to rain and water jets.

What is a CMD light and what does CMD Creativ Metalldesign make?

A matt anthracite housing goes unnoticed during the day and lets the light draw on the wall in the evening, which is the effect of a well-proportioned metal wall light. CMD works metal for outdoor use: stainless steel or aluminium body, straight lines, matt or satin surface. The entire lighting range groups these references by use and by exposure.

The materials used are stainless steel and aluminium, with anthracite, white, black or corten brown finishes. These are outdoor lights designed to withstand humidity, not indoor lights in disguise.

CMD, what exactly is it?

This collection contains 171 references, mainly in stainless steel, with anthracite, silver, white, black or corten brown finishes, as well as a few cordless table lamps.

How do you recognise a CMD reference?

References carry the CMD prefix followed by a number, for example CMD-16/1 or CMD-9110, then the variant: /LED when the source is integrated, /BM for a version with a sensor. The same wall light therefore exists under several codes.

The Anthrazit H 28 cm E27 wall light takes the bulb of your choice, up to 75 W. The same wall light in a 12 W LED version has identical dimensions (W 18, D 8, H 28 cm) but a sealed source, in warm white.

Which CMD outdoor light should you choose depending on the exposure of the facade?

A wall light that takes the rain head-on does not have the same constraints as a model protected by a canopy. The IP rating answers this question better than colour or style, and it is shown on the product page.

On a gable swept by the weather, aim for a clear IP rating, with no optimistic rounding. To compare the available models, browse our lighting catalogue with that rating in mind.

Which IP rating for a facade exposed to rain?

On a facade directly exposed to rain, an IP65 generally keeps the fixture clear of projected water, including around a swimming pool. An IP44 is installed under a canopy or at a sheltered entrance, where water does not run down the housing. An IP54 covers a wall that receives splashes without being rinsed.

IP44, IP54 or IP65: where should each model be installed?

A sheltered entrance takes an IP44, such as the compact outdoor ceiling light of 9 cm or the 12 cm white ceiling light, both in 10 and 15 W. On a semi-exposed wall, the small square white wall light in IP54 is suitable.

For an open facade, the anthracite cordless lamp, the IP65 white wall light and the 90 cm white outdoor ceiling light are rated IP65. All our all our lights show their rating on the product page.

Wall light, ceiling light or cordless table lamp: which light for which outdoor use?

A wall light illuminates a wall and draws a facade, a ceiling light illuminates an area from above, a cordless table lamp brings mobile light where there is no socket. The choice is made on the surface to be covered, not on aesthetics alone.

First look at what you want to see lit: the wall itself, a table, or the path to the door. The the lighting collection sorts the fixtures into these three families.

Which outdoor wall light to illuminate a facade?

A wall light projects light downwards or as a wash, which gives relief to a wall and lights the threshold. A large height, around 28 cm, makes more of an impression, as on the Anthrazit H 28 cm E27 wall light. A flat 20 cm wall light is suitable for a secondary wall.

If you multiply the points along a wall, keep the same family and the same finish: Designix lights pair well together when the colour stays identical.

Why choose an outdoor ceiling light for a terrace?

Mounted on the ceiling of a canopy or under a roof overhang, a ceiling light spreads widely and avoids harsh shadows on the ground. A 90 cm model covers a large area, a 9 to 12 cm model is enough for a passageway. The white battery lamp takes over on a table, with no cable.

Integrated LED or E27 socket: what should you choose in the CMD range?

Some of the references include an integrated LED, from 2 to 20 W depending on the size of the fixture, with warm white or cool white light. The rest use an E27 socket, up to 75 W max, where you choose and replace the bulb. The LED cannot be replaced, the E27 remains flexible.

The decisive criterion is simple: do you want to be able to change the light in five years, or do you prefer a sealed unit with no bulb to plan for? The the lighting section indicates the type of source for each model.

Can you change the bulb of a CMD outdoor light?

Yes on models with an E27 socket, where you fit the bulb of your choice up to 75 W max, as on the Anthrazit H 28 cm wall light. On models with integrated LED, the source cannot be replaced: the power is set by the manufacturer, from 2 to 20 W. In that case, choose the colour temperature at the time of purchase.

CMD electronics: what is the point of an integrated LED?

An integrated LED removes the bulb to buy again and frees up space in a compact housing: the 9 cm ceiling lights and the 2 W battery lamps would not exist otherwise. In return, the light temperature is fixed. The the Lighting range clearly indicates both cases.

Which light temperature for an outdoor light: warm white or cool white?

Warm white, between 2700 and 3500 K, dominates the range and suits facades, entrances and terraces in the evening. Cool white, from 4500 to 6500 K, lights more neutrally and secures a passageway. Neutral white, around 3500 to 4500 K, sits between the two. Some models offer two temperatures, others only warm white.

The test is simple: a warm light welcomes, a cool light watches. The our selection of lights specifies the temperature available for each fixture.

Warm white or cool white for a house entrance?

For an entrance, warm white remains the most comfortable choice: it blends with facades, lights faces without harshness and matches the indoor lighting visible from the threshold. Cool white, on the other hand, brings out cold materials and can look clinical on a cream wall. The white wall light W 21.2 cm offers both temperatures.

Cool white: for which outdoor uses?

Cool white is used where you want to see clearly: driveway, car park, utility room, around a gate. Its whiter light makes contrasts and ground colours easier to read. On a terrace where you dine, it is more tiring. The IP65 white wall light covers both needs depending on the setting chosen.

Stainless steel or aluminium: which material and which finish for outdoor use?

CMD lights are mainly made of stainless steel, often combined with steel, and aluminium. These metals worked for outdoor use resist humidity without the fragility of painted steel. Anthracite dominates the finishes, ahead of white, black and corten brown. Silver remains discreet on a light-coloured wall.

The finish changes the perception: a matt anthracite disappears on a grey render, a white stands out on a dark wall. The whole range is visible in all the lights in the shop.

Why stainless steel by the sea?

By the sea, salt-laden air attacks bare metals. Stainless steel resists this corrosion better, which justifies its dominant presence on CMD wall lights. It is still a metal: rinsing with clean water from time to time limits deposits. Aluminium is also suitable, provided the finish is monitored.

Anthracite, white or black: which finish for a light-coloured facade?

On a light-coloured facade, anthracite creates a clear contrast and frames square housings well. White fades away and is less noticeable, which is handy when you want to light without adding a pattern. Black makes a stronger statement, but ages visibly on a very light wall. The corten finish table lamp plays the opposite card, tone on tone.

For a consistent installation, the the lighting family lets you spot the fixtures available in the same shade.

How do you install and maintain a CMD outdoor light?

Installation is on a wall or ceiling, with the useful dimensions given to the centimetre for each model. Allow for the width and depth to check that the fixture does not obstruct a door or shutter. Switch off the power before any work and note the mounting centres.

How do you fix an outdoor wall light to a facade?

Switch off the circuit breaker, open the housing and note the centres of the bracket. Drill to the right diameters, plug according to the wall material, then screw the bracket before connecting the wires and closing the diffuser. Follow the indicated mounting direction: some models are installed light facing down only.

How do you clean an aluminium or stainless steel wall light?

A soft cloth with a neutral soap removes dust and marks, on aluminium as well as stainless steel. Avoid abrasives, solvents and high-pressure jets, which mark the finish or force the seals. Check the fixings, cable entries and condition of the seals once a year. The the lighting catalogue gives dimensions and materials product by product.

How do you choose from the CMD range and order from Designix?

Start from the location, then the function, then the technical criteria: IP rating, socket, temperature, dimensions. A stainless steel H 28 cm wall light suits a facade, a white W 90 cm ceiling light suits a large area, a cordless lamp suits places without a socket. Our our lights can be filtered by these criteria.

Which CMD model to start an outdoor range?

For a first installation, aim for a versatile fixture: the same wall light in a 12 W LED version in warm white gives a clean result on a facade, with no bulb to plan for. For a large terrace, the 90 cm white outdoor ceiling light covers more surface. For a mobile point, the 36.5 cm black portable lamp moves with the evenings.

Delivery, returns and payment: how does it work?

Designix provides secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and a customer service team you can reach to check compatibility before ordering. To confirm a model, compare the stated dimensions with the planned location: that is the point that prevents the most returns.

Frequently asked questions about CMD lights